The healthiest way to keep optimal health and wellness in dogs is through their diet. Just like human beings, dogs require various needs that range from proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals in order to survive. Feeding nutrient-rich foods to your dog helps in enhancing overall health, boosting their immune systems, and promoting a shiny coat with healthy skin. Below, we look at the top 10 nutritional food items that benefit your dog’s health and give your tips on how to feed them to your dogs.

1. Salmon

Salmon is one nutrient-dense food that proves beneficial for dogs in several ways. The fish variety includes premium levels of protein, essential omega-3 fatty acids, and necessary vitamins and minerals.

Benefits: Omega -3 fatty acids maintain healthy skin and coat, reduce inflammation, and enhance brain function. The salmon also provides important vitamins, such as B12, necessary for the production of healthy red blood cells and for correct nerve function.

Feeding Instructions: The dogs must be given cooked salmon. Add no seasonings or oil to the salmon. Give as a treat, or mix with regular food at the owner’s discretion. Make sure the fish is well cooked to eliminate the parasites.

2. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are healthy and easily digestible dogs’ food that offers several health benefits to canines.

Health benefits: They are packed with dietary fiber that helps digestion and is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and B6. Vitamin A assists the retina, the immune system as well as the skin.

Preparation of food: The sweet potatoes need to be cooked well before they are mashed and served or cubed. Nothing should be sprinkled or spread on them .

3. Blueberries

They are succulent and pack much-needed anti-oxidants as well as necessary nutrients.

Benefits: Packed with antioxidants, vitamins C and K, and relatively rich in fiber, blueberries assist your dog against free radicals and help in maintaining their immune function and digestion.

How to Feed: Provide fresh or frozen blueberries as a nutritious reward. Alternatively, blend them into your dog’s kibble for flavor and nutrition.

4. Carrots

Carrots are a crunchy, low-calorie snack that saves an army of health benefits for dogs.

Benefits: These are rich in beta-carotene-a precursor to vitamin A-fiber, and several other vitamins and minerals. These vegetables will benefit eyesight and skin health and support digestive function.

How to Feed: Only feed them raw carrots in bite sizes; steam them lightly if need be. Make them small enough not to pose any choking hazard.

5. Chicken

This is a versatile ingredient with a load of protein that keeps your dog at optimal muscle mass and health in general.

Benefits: Excellent source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, several B vitamins. Chicken offers lean muscle growth, energy, overall health.

Serving: Feed only cooked chicken, and with all bones, skins, and seasonings removed. Chicken can be shredded or cut into small cubes which can be used as a reward or put into his dinner.

6. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is one of those nutrient-based food that makes your dog go and regulates his bowel movement and gives him an overall health boost.

Benefits: It is high in fiber and keeps the digestive system running smoothly. It relieves constipation and diarrhea, too. Pumpkin is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and E, and potassium.

How to Feed: Plain canned pumpkin [not spiced pie filling] or cooked fresh pumpkin. Mix it in with your dog’s food or use as a treat.

7. Spinach

A dark leafy green, spinach is enriched with nutrients useful to dogs.

Benefits: Very rich in vitamins A, C, and K; iron, and antioxidants; spinach strengthens your dog’s immune system and their bone structure, and the general cellular activity of their bodies. It should be given in a scant amount because it contains oxalate that impairs the absorption of calcium.

How to Feed: Steam or lightly cook spinach until easily digestible to dogs. Chop and mix with other food.

8. Eggs

Eggs are amongst the healthiest foods because of their content of all the essential amino acids, in other words, providing a complete amount of protein, along with most nutrients needed by humans.

Benefits: They are a very good source of protein, fats, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and folate. Eggs provide for muscle building, skin health, and in general, energy.

Preparation: Boil or scramble eggs until they’re well-cooked, then chop them up. Never feed your dog raw eggs since they may carry a risk of salmonella.

9. Apples

Apples are one of the healthier fruit additions that one can use to add variety and nutrients to one’s dog diet.

Benefits: They contain high amounts of fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. Apples will contribute to digestive health support and crunchy, low-calorie treats.

Serving: Before giving them apples, they have to be seeded and cored. Apples have to be cut into small, bite-sized pieces so that there is no choking hazard.

10. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is quite a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, offering quite a few health benefits.

Benefits: It is rich in protein, calcium and probiotics. Probiotics help to keep the flora of the gut healthy and help digestion, too. Greek yogurt contains less lactose than any other type of yogurt, hence many dogs are able to digest it.

How to Feed: Provide in small amounts of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt, with no added flavorings .

Adding Nutrient-Dense Foods to Your Dog’s Diet

Below are some general guidelines to help you maximize the nutritional bang for your dog when it comes to these nutrient-dense foods.

1. Balance and Moderation

Add these foods in moderation in your dog’s diet. While they can impart a great deal of benefit to your dog, they are additions to an already complete and well-rounded commercial dog food that encompasses all the nutritional aspects that your dog needs.

2. Consult with Your Veterinarian

Before making major changes to your dog’s diet or introducing new foods to him, it would be best to consult with your veterinarian about portion sizes, possible allergens, and dietary balance needed for his particular case.

3. Be on the lookout for Allergic Reactions

Introduce new foods one at a time, and observe the dog for the onset of allergic reactions or other gastrointestinal problems. Give small amounts at a time and observe your pet’s reaction to the food before adding it routinely in the diet.

4. Prepare Foods Safely

Prepare all the foods appropriately-cooked and devoid of seasonings or additives which might become detrimental to health. Also, toxic elements such as onions, garlic, and spices should not be used in preparing such food for them.

5. Keep Them Hydrated

Always keep fresh water available with food for your dog. Water helps keep them healthy and it will help digest the food that you add to give them fiber for example.

Conclusion: This is one of the best things you can do to ensure the health and wellbeing of your dog-add healthy foods into their diet. Feeding your dog foods such as salmon, sweet potatoes, and blueberries will add in all the needed nutrients for a shiny coat, healthy immune system, and proper digestion of their food. It is supposed to be an addition to their routine food and done in moderation, considering recommendations from your veterinarian. You then would get the chance to experience a long, healthy, happy life with your furry friend.