Not all dog foods are created equal. Some — like our Jinx kibble and wet food recipes — are made with superfoods: nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich ingredients that are packed with health benefits for your pup.
But what are the best superfoods for dogs? And what are their benefits? Read on to learn more about our top 10 canine superfoods.
What are Dog Superfoods?
What makes a dog superfood “super”? Well, canine superfoods deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with minimum calories. And, as it turns out, lots of superfoods for dogs are human superfoods, too — like salmon and blueberries.
The nutrient-packed superfoods in this article will help your dog (and you) fight disease, boost energy, and maintain good health in general. They make great additions to your pup's diet — whether you feed them dog food (like Jinx) or home-cooked meals. Just be sure to introduce these foods gradually and in the right portions — and run them by your vet first if your dog has any dietary or health issues.
Introducing Our Top 10 Dog Superfoods
Without further ado ... our top 10 superfoods for dogs!
1. Blueberries
Despite their small size, blueberries pack a powerful nutritional punch. They contain high levels of antioxidants — powerful compounds that slow damage to cells in your dog's body.
The blue-red color in blueberries comes from flavonoid pigments called anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Anthocyanins have been shown to help reduce the risk of some cancers, protect brain cells, and support memory function. Blueberries also support urinary tract health — so many benefits in one little berry!
All berries are high in fiber and vitamins, and lower in calories and sugar than some other fruits. That said, be sure to feed your pup berries in moderation to prevent stomach troubles or weight gain.
Want to add this canine superfood to your pup’s diet? It’s as simple as feeding them a few fresh, washed blueberries from time to time. You can also puree blueberries with a little plain, unsweetened, xylitol-free yogurt for a doggie smoothie, or add the mixture to your dog's regular food.
Another easy way to add blueberries to your dog’s diet is to feed them dog food or treats that contain blueberries as an ingredient. Here at Jinx, we love blueberries for dogs, and use them in a lot of our products, including all of our kibble recipes and our Bone Broth Biscuits.
2. Bone Broth
Speaking of bone broth — it’s another amazing superfood for dogs. Touted for its many health benefits, bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue for a full 24 hours or more. The resulting broth is a nutrient-dense treat that's high in protein and contains anti-inflammatory amino acids, vitamins, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
The collagen in cartilage and bone also yields gelatin, a protein that helps support gut health and joint health. Bone broth also contains other compounds that can help your dog’s joints, including glucosamine and chondroitin, which have been shown to support joint health and slow or halt the progression of degenerative joint diseases like hip dysplasia and arthritis.
You can make your own bone broth at home using bones left over from your meals — like roast chicken, turkey, or other bone-in meats. You can also buy bone broth at the grocery store — just be sure to check the label to make sure that it doesn’t have any added sodium, spices, or other ingredients that may be harmful to your dog. Feed the bone broth to your dog in a bowl, or pour it over their regular food. You can also feed your pup food or treats that contain bone broth as an ingredient, like our savory Bone Broth Biscuits or delicious Homemades wet food.
When feeding your dog bone broth (or any new food) it’s a good idea to start with a small amount at first — in this case, just a few tablespoons will do. This is to make sure that the bone broth won’t upset your dog's stomach.
3. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, which not only enhances immune health, but also boosts eye health, and supports your dog's skin and coat. It also contains a large amount of soluble fiber, which, surprisingly, can both relieve diarrhea and prevent constipation. This bright orange gourd is also rich in antioxidants, plus vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, and iron.
To help your pup reap the many health benefits of this superfood for dogs, simply mix one or two tablespoons of plain, cooked pumpkin into your dog's food. You can buy and cook a pumpkin yourself, or purchase canned pumpkin (just be sure to buy plain, canned pumpkin — not pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar, spices, and other ingredients that can be harmful to your dog).
Pumpkin can also be found in many of our Jinx recipes, including our tasty Salmon & Pumpkin Meal Topper or Chicken & Pumpkin Meal Topper. Just sprinkle a bit over your dog’s regular food for extra vitamins and nutrients, and a burst of flavor dogs love.
4. Salmon
Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is great for us humans and our dog BFFs. All the healthy fats in this superfood boost the immune system, while also nourishing hair and skin.
You can feed your dog cooked, plain salmon, or add a few drops of dog-friendly omega-3 fish oil to their meals. When it comes to salmon, quality also plays an important role. We use Atlantic salmon in both our Salmon Kibble and Grain-Free Salmon Kibble. Why? Because it may contain lower levels of mercury and other contaminants than other salmon varieties, and has a richer flavor profile that pups find irresistible.
5. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are one of our favorite superfoods for dogs, and are included in our Jinx kibble and paté wet food recipes, as well as our slow-smoked Chicken Jerky Tenders, and delicious Beef & Sweet Potato Topper. These bright orange root veggies are rich in beta carotene, and boast 150% more antioxidants than blueberries (which, as previously mentioned, are already high in antioxidants on their own!). Sweet potatoes are also super high in heart-healthy vitamin A, and packed with vitamin C to keep your dog’s immune system strong.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps your pup’s digestive system function more effectively. Eating fiber on a regular basis also lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.
There are many ways to add this nutrient and antioxidant-packed canine superfood to your dog’s diet, starting with the Jinx dog food and treats listed above. You can also peel and cook plain sweet potato, and serve it to your pup mashed or cut into bite-sized cubes. As always, be sure to avoid adding any spices or other ingredients that could be harmful to your dog.
6. Carrots
Like sweet potatoes, carrots contain beta carotene, a nutrient found in orange-hued fruits and vegetables. Beta carotene can help boost immune health, support eye health, and improve your dog's skin and coat.
Carrots also contain lots of fiber, which, as we know, is good for your pup’s digestive tract. Raw carrots are a healthy, low-calorie snack, making them an excellent treat for dogs who may need to shed a few pounds. Lastly, chewing on raw carrots is beneficial for your dog's teeth and gums — there’s no end to this superfood’s many benefits!
As with any fruit or vegetable, be sure to cut carrots into bite-sized pieces before feeding them to your dog (this makes them easier to digest, and less of a choking hazard). If your dog doesn't care for raw carrots, you can try steaming or boiling them, or pureeing them and mixing them in with your dog’s food.
You can also feed your dog food that contains carrots as a nutritious ingredient, like our Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Kibble, Grain-Free Atlantic Salmon Kibble, or Homemades wet food that’s packed with home-cooked flavors.
7. Apples
Apples are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants. They're chock-full of fiber — especially in the peels — which helps dogs maintain a healthy weight while assisting with their digestion.
As with any fruit, you’ll want to feed your dog apples in moderation. This is due to the high fiber and sugar content, which can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea if your pup eats too much. Also be sure to remove the apple core, seeds, stem, and peel before feeding this delicious, crisp treat to your canine companion.
There are many ways to feed your dog this canine superfood. The simplest way is to wash, peel, and core a fresh apple, then cut it into bite-sized pieces and share a few with your pup. If you have a dehydrator at home, you can also make dried apple pieces for your dog. Avoid store-bought dried apples which may contain added sweeteners and preservatives, or sugary apple treats like apple pie.
Here at Jinx, we include apples in many of our products, including our pup-approved kibble varieties, and our crunchy Bone Broth Biscuits.
8. Bananas
Bananas are known to be one of the most nutritious fruits for dogs. They’re a tasty, low-calorie treat, since one banana contains just 105 calories. Bananas are also high in potassium (which is great for muscle and blood vessel function, as well as regulating the acidity of body fluids), fiber (our ol’ favorite digestive aid), and magnesium (important for energy transport and protein building in the body).
In addition to being high in fiber and potassium, bananas also contain loads of vitamins B6 and C. Vitamin B6 helps metabolize proteins in the body, and regulates blood cells that bring oxygen to your pup’s brain and muscles. And of course, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps reduce cell damage and build cartilage in their body.
At Jinx, bananas are one of our favorite dog superfoods. They’re not only very nutritious, but dogs also love their subtle-sweet taste. That’s why we added bananas to our Training Treats — the perfect low-calorie treats for training sessions with your pup (or anytime you want to give them a deliciously healthy reward).
9. Spinach
Spinach is a powerhouse of essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are incredibly beneficial for your dog's health. Packed with vitamin A, B, C, and K, spinach provides a nutritional boost that supports your pup's immune system, vision, and overall vitality. Spinach is also rich in iron, an essential mineral that helps prevent anemia, and supports healthy blood circulation in dogs.
That’s already a lot of health benefits — but, believe it or not, there are more. Spinach is also high in fiber, and loaded with antioxidants like lutein, which helps eliminate harmful free radicals from your dog's body. And, it contains beta-carotene, which is essential for healthy skin, coat, and eyesight in dogs.
If you want to incorporate this benefit-packed dog superfood into your pup’s diet, the easiest way to do so is to feed them a packaged dog food that includes spinach as an ingredient, like our Jinx Homemades wet food.
10. Chia seeds
Chia seeds are packed with protein, fiber, antioxidants, calcium, iron, magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. They boost your dog's immune system, help improve their skin and coat, support their joints and intestinal health, and help support insulin function and regulate blood sugar. They're especially great for pups who may need to lose a little weight — as they absorb water and slow down digestion, helping dogs feel fuller for longer.
To feed this canine superfood to your pup, first soak the chia seeds in water (use a 1 to 10 ratio with water) for between 30 and 90 minutes, then mix them in with your dog's regular food. Chia seeds contain lots of fiber, so start with a small amount and feed them to your dog sparingly to avoid diarrhea. About 1/4 teaspoon per 10 pounds of your dog's body weight will do.
If you don’t want to worry about preparing chia seeds and getting the portions just right, you can always feed your pup packaged dog food or treats that contain chia seeds, like our kibble varieties or our crunchy Bone Broth Biscuits.
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love. Put the “super” in your dog’s meals with our superfood-packed kibble and wet food.