While good quality whole meats should continue to form the basis of your dog’s diet, adding in these fruits and vegetables will help prevent disease, give him an important boost of extra nutrition and go a long way toward keeping him in optimal health.
1. Asparagus
A perennial plant, and a moderate source of fiber. Contains vitamins A, B complex, C, E, K; and minerals, particularly copper and iron, lesser amounts of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and manganese.
2. Broccoli
A cruciferous vegetable, packed with phytonutrients such as sulforaphane and isothiocyanates, yielding cancer preventive properties. Rich in vitamin C, also contains vitamins A, B complex, K, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, and manganese.
3. Purple sweet potato
A root vegetable, and a good source of fiber, rich in vitamin A, and also containing vitamins C and B6. Rich in potassium; other minerals include calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Contains flavonoids such as anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive properties.
Not all vegetables and fruit are safe for dogs. Onions, grapes, and raisins should be avoided.
4. Kale
Leafy green vegetable from the cruciferous family. Good source of fiber, and packed with phytochemicals such as sulforaphane, along with indole-3-carbinol, which can exert anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive properties. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and also contains some B complex vitamins. Mineral-rich, particularly in copper, and also provides good quantities of calcium, iron, phosphorous and manganese.
5. Pineapple
Phytonutrients include bromelain a proteolytic enzyme with anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, and cancer-preventive properties. Rich in Vitamin C, also containing B complex and E. Mineral content includes a good amount of manganese, copper, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
6. Apples (avoid pips and core)
Antioxidant, phytonutrient, and flavonoid-rich, including quercetin and epicatechin. Good source of vitamin C, also containing A, B complex, E, and K. Mineral content includes iron and phosphorus.
7. Blueberries
Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients, including anthocyanidin compounds, chlorogenic acid, tannins, myricetin, and quercetin. The benefits of this wonderful fruit are plentiful, and it offers preventive properties for numerous diseases, including cancer. Good source of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B complex, C, K, and manganese.
8. Pear
Good source of fiber, and rich in antioxidant phytonutrients and flavonoids for disease prevention. Good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, K, and copper. One of the least allergenic fruits.