7 Foods To Feed Your Dog For Health And Longevity

Have you ever wondered if there are better foods out there to help preserve your dog’s health and longevity?

Significant research has been conducted in this area and the results are conclusive:  apart from a dog’s size and breed/genetics, diet has one of the biggest impacts on a dog’s lifespan and wellness. 

And this is why we have put such a big focus on recipes and meal plans and why we have so many meal plans to choose from - you can check them out here.

Here’s a look at 7 of the best foods you should consider feeding your dog for longevity:

RAW, SINGLE PROTEIN (MEAT)

Clinical studies have shown that a raw food diet can actually increase a dog’s lifespan (compared to just feeding dry, preserved food).

After all, dogs descend from wolves and used to live in the wild, where they would eat a raw diet (before being domesticated much later).

Although dogs are omnivores and eat both plants and meat, the protein and minerals in meat make up much of their nutritional needs.

Just always make sure any raw meat you give your dog is human-grade so it doesn’t have preservatives that can be bad for your dog’s health and age them faster. 

At Healthy Active Pet we have freeze dried dog food which gives the health benefits of feeding a raw food diet with the convenience of a kibble diet.

You can see the freeze dried dog food here. 

UNCOOKED MEATY BONES + BONE BROTH

Dog bones are one of the healthiest treats you can give your dog – and will also keep them occupied for some time! 

However, it’s important that bones are always uncooked and raw. Cooked bones are more likely to “splinter” whilst being chewed on which can may unintentionally damage or obstruct your dog’s throat/body (such as the intestine).

Raw bones are not just a treat – they are great for dental health and avoiding dental disease later in life by keeping a dog’s teeth and gums healthy. 

The bone needs to be big enough that your dog can’t fit it inside its mouth whole. One-two bones per week is suggested by most vets. 

You can also make a broth from bones as a nutrient dense, vitamins and mineral rich food that has lots of health benefits for you dog. 

Bone broth enhances breakdown of food and is said to have detoxifying effects and help strengthen bones and reduce joint pain due to the high collagen (aka anti-aging protein).

FREE RANGE  EGGS

Eggs are one of the most complete bioavailable proteins available.

They are also packed full of essential amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, calcium and more! Combined, these healthy, natural inclusions can increase the longevity and wellness of your dog. 

FISH

We’ve said “fish”, but what we really mean is Omega-3 rich foods – which fish are a concentrated source of! 

Omega-3 is a proven natural anti-inflammatory protein in a dog’s diet that also supports immune system function, promotes healthy skin and a glossy coat, plus good eye health, brain function and joint support (especially for older/arthritic dogs).

Good news is that in our complete dog food meal we have salmon and turkey as the main protein source. 

You can see the freeze dried dog food here. 

CARROTS 

Carrots are full of beta-carotene, an essential antioxidant and vitamin for cellular health and good vision (which naturally deteriorates with age in dogs).

Many dogs love the natural sweetness and crunch of carrots, and the good news is they are also a good source of fibre for dog bowel health. 

The magnesium, phosphorus and potassium offer even great health benefits for your dog’s longevity.

And we have lots of these foods in our recipes and meal plans - you can check them out here.

GO BANANAS

Bananas are a safe and healthy dog treat that are rich in potassium and magnesium, but low in cholesterol and sodium. They are also a good source of fibre and energy from the natural fructose. 

 Just make sure you peel them first as banana peels can be hard for dogs to digest. Depending on the size of the dog, a few small pieces of a banana (no more than half) daily is recommended.

Healthy treat options can help extend the life of your dog, and bananas make a tasty frozen dog occassional snack if you mash them up and put into an ice ice-cube tray in the freezer! You can also smear a little on an easy-to-clean dog toy to enrich treat time through active play and get them moving!

 PROBIOTICS

A healthy gut is extremely important to your dog’s longevity. Probiotics (healthy gut bacteria) are beneficial for supporting immune health and also bowel health. 

You can almost think of probiotics as good bacteria to help keep your dog youthful. Research suggests gut bacteria in dogs decreases as they age so a dog specific pro biotic supplement or small amount of natural vet-approved yoghurt can help. 

A Few Things to Remember when Choosing Food for Your Dog

• Any new foods should be introduced slowly to avoid allergies or reactions

• Food needs to be complete and balanced for your dog’s stage of life (puppy, adult, elderly) and their size.

• Bear in mind, canine experts have determined that no more than 10% of your dog’s daily food should be treats. 

We hope this list helps you enhance your dog’s diet or healthy snacks for longevity and wellness!