Pets: Nature’s Own Nutrient Gems — The Perfect Anytime Treat – mercola.com

Analysis by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

Fresh, raw blueberries can be an excellent addition to your pet’s diet; however, there’s no point in buying a processed pet food or treat containing blueberries
There isn’t much research on the benefits of blueberries for dogs and cats, but the studies that do exist are promising in terms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as improving cognition in aging dogs
Always feed new foods, including blueberries, in moderation; too many right away in a pet who isn’t used to them can cause digestive upset
There are also many other fresh fruits and vegetables that provide substantial health benefits to pets

How often do you share a handful of fresh raw blueberries with your canine or feline (if they’ll eat them) companion?

If your answer is, “Um, never,” you’re not alone. It simply doesn’t occur to many pet parents to share fruits, veggies or other fresh foods with furry family members. Or it occurs to them, but they’re unsure what’s safe to feed and what isn’t. The good news is that just like us, our animal companions can derive tremendous health benefits from many types of fresh foods.

This isn’t the case, by the way, with blueberries added to ultraprocessed pet foods and treats. By the time fresh, luscious blueberries make it to processed pet food facilities, they’re “pomace, dried, frozen or as a puree due to the larger production scale and handling (which are not conducive to whole fresh berries),” per a pet food industry journal.¹

Also according to the journal, the blueberry ingredients added into pet foods and treats are “often at levels less than 1% to simply include them on the label, or if called-out in a ‘with’ statement might be added at 3%. Seldom will blueberries be used at higher levels due to price and dilution of other targeted macronutrients. Whether they can be added at levels of the key active antioxidants to provide a physiological benefit has not fully been evaluated to date.”

Put another way, it’s pointless to purchase an ultraprocessed pet food or treat for its blueberry ingredients. Go with the real thing instead.

Blueberries: A Safe, Nutritious Year-Round Treat for Pets

There’s scant scientific research available on how blueberries benefit pets, but the few published findings that exist are promising.

In a 2006 study, researchers examined the effects of blueberries in sled dogs after exercise.² The supplemented dogs had significantly higher levels of antioxidants, suggesting that blueberries may help protect against exercise-induced oxidative damage.

In a 2016 study, blueberries exhibited anti-inflammatory properties in rats affected with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).³ Researchers noted that biological inflammatory markers were lower in supplemented rats, suggesting that blueberries may help restore neurotransmitter imbalances.

In a study published in 2017, researchers fed a combination of grape and blueberry polyphenolic rich extract to aged dogs and measured an improvement in their memory while performing a delayed, non-matching task. Translated to your own dog (or cat), who’ll be offered fresh fruit vs. an extract, it’s important to remember to feed only blueberries — never grapes, which are toxic for pets.

Blueberries are available all year and make great training treats for dogs. These delicious little fruits are loaded with phytochemicals and antioxidants and are also a good source of fiber, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Replacing one of the processed treats you feed each day with fresh or frozen blueberries is a great way to increase antioxidants in your pet’s diet.

Takehome message: Blueberries are very safe for dogs and cats to consume (though kitties are much less likely to enjoy them, since they lack sweet taste receptors). It’s important to offer blueberries in moderation, because feeding too many right away may cause digestive upset.

A good rule of thumb is to work up to 2 – 4 blueberries for every 10 pounds of dog or cat a day (recognizing large dogs can have a handful without actually counting each berry). I recommend organic blueberries to avoid the health risks associated with pesticide ingestion. If you can’t find fresh blueberries, frozen blueberries can also be used.

More Fresh Food Treats to Offer Your Dog or Cat

As with blueberries, most of the following foods will be more popular with dogs than cats, but they’re safe for both; be sure to serve them plain (no sugar, salt or spices, butter or other additives), in moderation and in small portions. Organic foods contain fewer contaminants and residues.

The only human foods the European pet food association states should not be offered to pets because they’re unsafe (meaning the food itself contains a substance that poses a health risk to dogs and cats) are members of the onion family, grapes/raisins, chocolate, nutmeg and macadamia nuts (because of the fat content).

All other fruits and vegetables that are safe for humans to consume are also safe for pets. So, why all the internet warnings about so many foods being ‘toxic’ to animals? Because so many organizations have confused toxicosis with other risks, including over-consumption (which can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) problems). Here are other potential risks that common sense identifies:

Fruit pits can be a choking hazard (so don’t feed whole fruit with pits to pets, remove the pit and cut fruit into bite-sized pieces)
Rinds and skins of some fruits should not be consumed (including avocado skins and pineapple rinds), so don’t feed them to your family
The tomato plant (including the leaves and stems) can cause GI upset for two and four legged family members, so only feed the fruit

In essence, the parts of fresh fruits and veggies you feed to your human family can also safely be fed to pets. As with human children, cut all foods into bite sized pieces to avoid a choking risk. Some fresh food treats many pets enjoy are:

1.Apples — Apples contain powerful antioxidants and vitamin C. Serve apple slices to your pet, but never the core or seeds.

2.Asparagus — Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamin K, A, B1, B2, C and E, along with the folate, iron, copper, fiber, manganese and potassium.

3.Broccoli — Broccoli supports detoxification processes in your pet’s body; contains healthy fiber to aid digestion; is rich in beneficial nutrients like potassium, calcium, protein and vitamin C; has anti-inflammatory properties; supports eye health; helps repair skin damage; and supports heart health.

I always prefer local organic produce, however, conventionally grown broccoli is one of the cleanest (most pesticide-free) foods you can buy, so eat up! Your pet may prefer broccoli steamed, although many dogs eat florets fresh without a problem. Chopped broccoli stems make great detox treats, too.

4.Carrots — Carrots are low in calories and high in fiber and vitamins. Many dogs enjoy snacking on a fresh crunchy carrot, and some will even eat the green tops.

5.Chia — Chia is a seed derived from the desert plant Salvia hispanica that grows abundantly in southern Mexico. It is a source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and also antioxidants. And unlike flax seeds, chia seeds don’t need to be ground.

Chia seeds also provide fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc. Try sprinkling some chia seeds on your dog’s meals or mix some with a little coconut oil for a super nutrient dense bedtime snack.

6.Cottage cheese — Plain organic cottage cheese is high in calcium and protein and can be a good way to hide pills and supplements.

7.Fermented vegetables — Fermented foods are potent detoxifiers and contain very high levels of probiotics and vitamin. Beneficial gut bacteria provided by probiotics break down and eliminate heavy metals and other toxins from the body and perform a number of other important functions.

Adding 1-3 teaspoons of fermented veggies to your pet’s food each day (depending on body weight) is a great way to offer food-based probiotics and natural nutrients. Find out more about this powerhouse addition to your pet’s diet.

8.Green beans — Fresh, locally grown green beans are a source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also provide calcium, copper, fiber, folic acid, iron, niacin, manganese, potassium, riboflavin and thiamin, as well as beta carotene.

9.Kale — This dark green cruciferous vegetable is loaded with vitamins (especially vitamins K, A and C), iron, and antioxidants. It helps with liver detoxification and also has anti-inflammatory properties. Add 1-3 tablespoons of minced or chopped kale to your pet’s food daily, depending on body weight, as a great source of fiber, nutrients and whole food antioxidants.

10.Kefir — Kefir is a fermented milk beverage that contains beneficial probiotics that support the immune system. Although regular, pasteurized cow’s milk can be irritating to your dog’s GI tract, fermented milk is different. One of the best and least expensive ways to add healthy bacteria to your pet’s diet is to convert raw milk to kefir yourself.

All you need is one-half packet of kefir starter granules in a quart of raw milk (preferably organic), which you leave at room temperature overnight. Add 1-3 teaspoons of this super probiotic to your dog’s food 1-2 times daily for overall improved GI defenses. If your pet is lactose intolerant you can use coconut kefir instead.

11.Mushrooms — Mushrooms range from life-saving to poisonous, so obviously you’ll want to choose culinary or medicinal mushrooms only. All mushrooms sold in the grocery store are safe for pets. Nontoxic, beneficial varieties include shiitake, reishi, maitake, lion’s mane, king trumpet, turkey tail, and himematsutake mushrooms.

Mushrooms can help regulate bowel function, but even better, they also contain potent anti-cancer properties and immune system enhancers. You can either lightly cook the mushrooms in a very small amount of avocado or coconut oil before adding them to your dog’s meal, or try out my mushroom broth recipe.

12.Pumpkin — Fresh pumpkin, either steamed or boiled (or canned 100 percent pumpkin), is relatively low in calories and high in soluble fiber. Pumpkin helps regulate bowel function, which relieves both diarrhea and constipation. It’s also an excellent source of potassium, vitamin A and antioxidants.

13.Raw seeds (pumpkin and sunflower) — Pepitas or raw pumpkin seeds, are a rich source of minerals, vitamin K, and phytosterols. They also contain L-tryptophan and are a good source of zinc, vitamin E, and B vitamins. Research suggests pumpkin seeds can prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones, reduce inflammation caused by arthritis, and support prostate health. Raw, hulled sunflower seeds also make excellent training treats.

14.Raw nuts — Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews and brazil nuts, served in moderation and very small portions (1 brazil nut a day for large dogs), contain healthy fats and make great treats. If you have a walnut tree the husks (the leathery shell) can contain mycotoxins, so don’t allow your dogs or kids to eat the shells of any nuts.

15.Sardines — Fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to your dog’s well-being. If you supplement your pet’s diet with fish, I suggest you use sardines packed in water. Sardines don’t live long enough to store excessive toxins in their bodies, and they’re a terrific source of omega-3s and CoQ10.

16.Spinach — This green leafy vegetable helps has anti-inflammatory properties and can help support heart health. Humans and pets with oxalate issues should not over-consume spinach.

17.Sweet potatoes — Steamed sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants and are also high in vitamin C. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may lower the risk from heavy metals and oxygen radicals.

18.Sprouts and microgreens — Broccoli and sunflower sprouts can be purchased or easily grown at home; adding a pinch of these little nutrient powerhouses to your pet’s bowl provides sulforaphane, which helps detoxify the body of mycotoxins, lowers inflammation and has potent anti-cancer benefits.

Sources and References