Meal Toppers for Dogs – Try Fruit
Diversify your dog’s bowl with low-sugar fruit toppers
Don’t overthink it; adding any level of freshness to your dog’s meals will help them live longer and stay healthier.
A recent resource for pet owners called “The Forever Dog” written by experts Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib discusses longevity toppers for dogs. If you don’t have this book, you should, and we’ve summarized below some of what we learned about low-sugar fruit options and what you should start adding to meals.
Fruit is a terrific topper you can share with your dog
Our dogs battle many health issues as they age, so starting this best practice as soon as possible is our recommendation. Growing fruit is a lot of fun and an excellent way to create your own “farm to table” experience.
Low-sugar fruit in a small percentage is an essential meal topper for dogs
Stay away from fruit high in sugar like oranges! This shortlist is just the beginning of what you can add. There are longevity veggies, too, if for some reason fruit isn’t something you usually buy a lot of at the grocery store.
Ten percent of your dog’s calories can come from foods other than balanced dog food
A general guideline is to replace ten percent of a regular diet with meal toppers for dogs, particularly fruit. If your dog is at its ideal weight or needs to gain weight, you can add fruit to their meals. Customizing your dog’s meal should be fun, but first, choose two or three items from the list below and see what your dog enjoys. First, make sure your canine buddy is ready for an unripe banana in his Kong before bed.
Antioxidant-rich fruit as meal toppers for dogs:
- Raspberries or blackberries. Berries are a great source of prebiotic fiber and are full of polyphenols. Dogs will enjoy a more significant amount of antioxidants in their blood.
- Blueberries. Many pet owners give their dogs blueberries for the high amount of antioxidants.
- Cantaloupe. Did you know dogs may benefit from beta-carotene-rich cantaloupe?
Superfood caliber fruit:
- Strawberries. This fruit has both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Always remove the green stems. This treat is great for overweight dogs, and strawberries aren’t typically the cause of digestive upset.
Gut health is the answer to everything:
- Apples. This fruit is rich in pectin, beneficial for your dog’s gut health.
- Green banana. Bananas are high in potassium but also high in sugar. Yet, unripe bananas have lower fructose content and offer anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Anti-inflammatory benefits:
- Pineapple. The texture may be a tough sell for your dogs, but the anti-inflammatory properties make bromelain-filled pineapples a great snack.
Endless vitamins:
- Avocados. This fruit has significant amounts of vitamin C and E and potassium.
- Pomegranate. Did you know that pomegranate protects the heart? Many dogs will eat this tart fruit, and you should try mixing them with food. The health benefits are endless with this fruit!
Please ask our staff about Green Juju’s new turmeric blend. This Italian spice improves cognition meal toppers for dogs…