Contrary to popular belief, dogs are meant for a diet that is considerably much more varied!
They fall between omnivores (plant and meat-eaters like pigs) and carnivores as their wolf relatives have eaten vegetables for thousands of years!
Vegetables are full of important nutrients including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber.
While your dog must eat meat to get the full array of amino acids they need, fruit and vegetables to help balance out their diet.
Raw vegetables are also natural sources of varied vitamins, including:
* B vitamins: support energy, enzyme and nervous system function, immune response and metabolism.
* Vitamin C: Dogs luckily make their own vitamin C but they need the cofactors to help their body use it! Your dog may also need a vitamin C boost as he ages or if they become stressed
* Vitamin A: Enhances immunity, protects eye health, prevents skin disorders and helps grow strong teeth and bones.
* Vitamin E: An antioxidant that helps prevent cancer and other diseases (whilst also promoting healthy skin and hair)!
* Vitamin K: Aid with bone formation/repair and helps improve liver function
Another reason for how important vegetables are, is that they contain fibre!
Raw vegetables are naturally high in fiber, which passes through the dog's intestines mainly undigested. An increased consumption of fiber can reduce cancer risk, contain antioxidant properties, promotes gut health and clears toxins from their body!
This is why we know fruit and veggys are a key component in our furry friend’s diet and why it should be in your dog’s diet too!
On that note we will be discussing specific fruit and vegetables in future Wisdom Wednesdays so make sure to keep an eye out for them!
