7 Healthy additives for your dog's Kibble

So, you know, the author is not a K9 nutritionist or vet. These suggestions are based on what she has fed her dogs with great results and on her own research.

Always consult a vet if you need clarification on feeding your dog any human food. What works for one dog might not work with another, etc.

Dogs have been a part of humanity for a very long time. They ate our scrapes and were our hunting partners a long time ago. Nowadays, dogs have other jobs: therapy, search and rescue, service dogs, military and police dogs, and more.

Dog food has evolved from what it used to be, but there are still issues with certain kibble brands. These include ingredients such as Red dye forty, BHA, diseased meat, and, in some scary and random cases, a euthanasia drug accidentally mixed into a batch of kibble, causing a few dogs to collapse dead after eating the tainted food.

Which was scary for the dog's owners, vets, and pet food manufacturers. (BHA and red dye forty have been known to cause cancer and other terrible health issues in dogs)

Due to this, many pet parents have switched from plain kibble to freeze-dried food (Open Farm, Stella, and Chewys) or air-dried food (Sundays) or switched to kibble with higher-quality ingredients (Farmina N&D, Fromm, signature, inception, Roosevelt, etc.). They might also switch to a completely raw diet of meat, bone, and organs, which is a great option if you can afford it.

Suppose you feed a raw diet. Your dog will have better poop, great skin, and coat health, as well as better teeth and overall health. Brands such as We Feed Raw, Darwin's, and Raw Feeding Miami are just a few examples.

There are also fresh frozen food options that are premade and made to be kept frozen until mealtime (JustFoodForDogs, Open Farm, Stella and Chewy's, Farmer's Dog, Petplate, etc.) However, not every pet parent can afford such high-quality foods and supplements, and that's okay. There are a lot of healthy foods that you buy for yourself that you can also give to your dog. Here's a list of 5.

1. Blueberries

According to the American Kennel Club. Dogs can eat blueberries, as they state in an article. "Blueberries are low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals (naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants). Vitamin C and fiber are vital components of proper canine nutrition..."

2. Carrots

According to an article by PetMD. "Carrots are a safe and healthy treat for puppies and adult dogs, as long as they are cut into ¼-inch thick slices. And as with any treat, moderation is key.

Carrots promote eye health in dogs and humans, and the crunchiness is great for satisfying a dog’s primal urge to chew. It’s a low-calorie snack, plus your dog can benefit from these vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in carrots:

1. Vitamin A

2. Vitamin K

3. Potassium

4. Vitamin B6

5. Beta-carotene

6. Calcium

7. Iron

8. High in fiber

Carrots have a significant amount of insoluble fiber, which can help regulate stool, and the vitamin A and antioxidants can help improve the skin and coat."

Carrots are not very expensive and healthy for you and your dog. Next time you have a carrot snack, share some with your dog.

3. Water

Yes, you heard me right—water—warm water, to be exact. Kibble is often cooked at a very high temperature, which results in the dried-out, crunchy, hard dog food we are very familiar with.

This is a problem, though, because the kibble is so dried out that there's no moisture and almost little to no nutrients in it because of the high cooking temperature.

(it's often cooked at 180 degrees, according to This article by the Truth about Pet Food.) Because of how complex and dry the kibble is when served. Dogs tend to get very thirsty after eating due to the dryness of their food and require you to give them a lot of water after they eat.

So, to help your dog out, add warm water to their food and let it soak for about 20 minutes before mealtime. This food makes the meal easier. If you don't drink enough water alone or older dogs who can't have crunchy or, it helps bring out nutrients from hard-to-chewers the kibble. If soft for your dog to eat. (It's suitable for dogs who want fresher food but isn't an option.)

4. Greek yogurt or Kefir.

Greek yogurt or kefir is another good additive for your dog to help their digestive system. According to Whole Dog Journal. "Fermented dairy products that are homemade or manufactured with added probiotics – and are free of sugar or xylitol – can help with digestive issues. Whole-milk yogurt or kefir is fine unless your dog needs a low-fat diet..." If you want more information, check out this link

5. Eggs. The Whole Dog Journal also mentions eggs as a good additive in the same article that mentions Greek yogurt and kefir. Linked here, they mention this about adding eggs: "Feed eggs raw or lightly scrambled, soft-boiled, or hard-boiled. “Whole raw eggs are fine,” says Straus, “as the yolks contain plenty of biotins to make up for what raw egg whites destroy, but the whites are more easily digested when cooked."

6. Pumpkin puree. Pumpkin is a great source of fiber for your dog's digestive system, especially when it has an upset stomach, like constipation or diarrhea. It also makes a great enrichment treat when frozen in a kong or on a Klickitat. (The same goes for Greek yogurt.)

7. Spinach, Peas, and celery. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs can eat spinach and celery. They explain, "Yes, dogs can eat spinach, but it’s not one of the top vegetables you’ll want to share with your pup. Spinach is high in oxalic acid, which blocks the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to kidney damage.

While your dog would probably have to eat a lot of spinach to have this problem, it might be best to go with another vegetable."

They have this to say about peas. "Green peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden or English peas are all OK for dogs to find in their bowl on occasion. Peas have several vitamins and minerals and are rich in protein and fiber. You can feed your dog fresh or frozen peas, but avoid canned peas with added sodium..."

They also mention celery as another good vegetable. They said this. "Yes, celery is safe for dogs to eat. In addition to vitamins A, B, and C, this crunchy green snack contains the nutrients needed to promote a healthy heart and even fight cancer. As if that wasn’t enough, celery is also known to freshen doggy breath..."

Now, you have a short list of additives you can add to your dog's kibble to boost their overall health.

Resources and more info

If you want to read more, watch The Forever Dog by Karen Becker and Robert Habib.

Big bad kibble. The Hidden Dangers of the pet food industry By Shawn Buckley and Dr. Oscar Shavez.

Resources

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/new-study-finds-drying-time-of-kibble-lessens-nutritional value/#:~:text=Pet%20Food%20cooking%3A%20Kibble%20temperature,on%20the%20product%20being%20canned.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-blueberries/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20dogs%20can%20eat%20blueberries,and%20most%20pups%20love%20them.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20dogs%20can%20eat%20spinach,can%20lead%20to%20kidney%20damage.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/can-dogs-drink-milk-eat-dairy-products/

https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-carrots

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/10-healthy-dog-food-additives/