We all want to provide our dogs with the best diet possible. We want to feed them a diet that will keep them healthy, prevent illness and disease and promote a long, active life. But, we may ask, "What types of foods will do ALL of this?"

A well-balanced diet of a variety of fresh foods contains many substances that can provide our dogs with the best nutrition available. No one food is capable of doing this; it is the combination of many foods eaten over a period of days or a week’s time that matters. The proper combination is really what makes the different between whether your dogs experience disease, maintenance health or optimum health.

Some suggested food items that are superior in nutrition and should ideally be offered on a regular basis are:

MEATS, POULTRY & BONES – Ex. chicken, turkey, beef, pork, emu, ostrich, rabbit and lamb.

Since dogs are carnivores, meat and poultry are important food for them. Meat and poultry are exceptionally high in protein, essential fatty acids (EFA’s), some B vitamins, iron, and zinc. Beef, pork and lamb are good sources of protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, iron and copper. Poultry is also a good source of protein as well as the B vitamins and phosphorus. Raw poultry eggs with shell are also a nutritious part of the menu and provide high-quality protein and calcium. Meat and poultry may be fed ground or whole including bone. Bones are a very important part of a canine diet. If meat is fed with bone included then the calcium supplied by the bone will help to achieve the proper calcium to phosphorus ratio in the diet. NOTE: Bones should always be fed raw, NOT cooked. Cooked bones are dehydrated, become brittle and may splinter and as a result may cause intestinal tract damage when consumed. In addition, cooked bones offer far less nutritional value. Meat is muscle and made up of mostly water and protein, with some fat. Organ meats are usually richer in vitamins and minerals than muscle meats. They contain protein, EFA’s, vitamin A, C, B complex, iron, phosphorus and copper. Organs meats that may be fed to your dogs are liver, kidney, heart, tongue, and brains.

FISH – Ex. salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, halibut, trout, and red snapper.

Fish are very good sources of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3’s) and minerals. Omega 3 fatty acids from fish and fish oils are helpful in preventing disease and lead to optimum health. Fish that are the highest in omega 3 fatty acids are dark- fleshed, like mackerel and salmon. Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon and halibut are excellent sources of vitamin A and D. Some fish, such as tuna and sardines are high in coenzyme Q10 an antioxidant nutrient.

VEGETABLES – Ex. collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, squashes, sweet potatoes, and white/red potatoes.

Most vegetables are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber. Some vegetables provide appreciable amounts of B-complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, protein and carbohydrates. If vegetables are exposed to heat they generally lose much of their nutritional value. Vegetables that have been shipped a long distance and have been in a store on display for several days may be of less nutritional value than frozen vegetables. Canned vegetables are lower in nutritional value than fresh or frozen because they have been heated to high temperatures. The process of canning destroys about 50% of the vitamin C content. Canned vegetables are also usually high in sodium.

HERBS – Ex. comfrey, parsley, and garlic.

Herbs provide not only a source of nutrition by the vitamins and minerals they contain, but can also provide medicinal properties. If herbs are served regularly, their properties can offer your dog a lifetime of better health. Certain herbs should be used only with the guidance of a health professional, but some herbs, such as the ones listed above can be added to a diet of a variety of other fresh foods for the nutritional value they possess.

FRUITS – Ex. bananas, apples, grapes, strawberries, cranberries, and tomatoes.

While fresh fruits contain a high-water-content, they are excellent sources of natural sugar and provide energy and carbohydrates. Fruits contain little protein and are low in fat. They do provide fiber and many minerals, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. They also contain vitamins A, C and trace amounts of B complex. Fresh fruits contain more nutrition than canned or frozen fruits. Prolonged storage and heat destroy the vitamin C content. Once sliced or chopped a fruit’s vitamin C content rapidly diminishes.

DAIRY PRODUCTS – Ex. cheese, cottage cheese, buttermilk, kefir and yogurt.

Dairy products are a good source of protein and calcium and contain certain B vitamins, phosphorus, sodium and some contain vitamin A. Low-fat versions of these products are available. Dairy should make up a small part of the canine diet, yet is a very healthy part of the diet.

GRAINS – Ex. brown rice, rye and wheat berries, hulled or pearled barley, and oats.

Whole grains are excellent sources of protein, carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc, magnesium, and fiber. Grains that have been refined are far less nutritious with many nutrients removed and very few added back.

LEGUMES/PEAS – Ex. adzuki, kidney, black beans, black-eyed peas, garbanzo (chickpeas), mung, split peas (yellow & green), pinto and soy beans.

Legumes are wonderful sources of protein, carbohydrates, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C and minerals. Legumes contain very little fat and no cholesterol.

Peas are a very good source of vitamin A and B-complex vitamins. They are rich in iron, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. They are lower in protein than legumes, but serving them with grains creates a more complete protein meal for your dogs.

SEEDS/NUTS – Ex. millet (a grain), peanuts (a legume), sunflower, almonds, walnuts, sesame, pumpkin, buckwheat (a fruit), and flax.

Most seeds and nuts are between 12 and 29% protein. Pumpkin seeds and peanuts are the highest in protein. Since the protein in seeds is incomplete it is important to complement them with grains or legumes to provide a quality protein meal. Nuts and seeds are usually high in fat, but this is mostly unsaturated fat. The oil contained in seeds and nuts range from 45 to 70%. Nuts and seeds are very good sources of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Many of them contain B-complex vitamins and vitamin E and a few contain vitamins A and D.

WHOLE FOOD SUPPLEMENTS – Ex. kelp, blue green algae or spirulina, alfalfa, and garlic.

Kelp is a type of seaweed that is known for its rich iodine content. Its high mineral content makes it a popular nutritive herb. It is rich in the following nutrients – iodine, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, silicon iron, and B complex vitamins. Spirulina or blue green algae are useful for immune system support and for promoting overall good health. Alfalfa is a relative of the pea and is classified as a legume. Alfalfa has been used as a food, medicine and a nutritional supplement. The powder form can be used in your dog’s diet to increase the diet’s nutritional value. Alfalfa seeds and sprouts are nutritious and provide beta-carotene and many important nutrients. They are rich in protein, contain eight essential amino acids as well as the vitamins: B complex, D, C, E and K and the minerals: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and potassium. Garlic acts as an antimicrobial medicine and may ameliorate bacterial, viral, parasitical and fungal infections. It is rich in sulfur, phosphorus, zinc, bioflavonoids, and vitamin C. I use garlic powder in my dogs’ diets.

OILS – Ex. Evening primrose oil, black current oil, flaxseed oil, wheat germ oil, salmon oil, cod liver oil.

Fatty acids help keep your dog’s fur and skin healthy by preventing dryness, itchiness, allergies, and fur loss. They also regulate normal glandular activity of the adrenal and thyroid glands, are necessary for normal growth, and healthy blood and nerves. Additionally, they strengthen the immune system and have been indicated to have anticancer properties, and may be therapeutic for heart disease, high cholesterol, arthritis and respiratory disorders. Fish oil and flax seed oil are both good sources of the essential fatty acids.

A complex enzyme supplement is also beneficial and is especially important to add to a diet that consists of mainly cooked foods or a synthetic commercial diet that is enzyme-free. See the article on plant enzymes.

If you desire to provide your dogs with foods that contain the highest quality nutrition available, they can be found in your local supermarket or health food store. Gathering the ingredients for a healthy canine diet can be fun. The enjoyment and good health your dogs will experience when eating fresh natural foods makes the job of creating them a super nutritious meal all worthwhile!