Dogs love fruit! Fruit is delicious, packed full of nutrition and can make a refreshing (and grain free) snack - a great alternative to store bought "junk" treats found in many pet stores. Fruit is also an important part of many homemade dog food diets, and can also be added to a raw food diet as well. When not incorporated into meals, fruit makes an excellent treat for dogs!

Not every fruit is safe for dogs, so I have compiled a list of fruit that has been proven safe and beneficial for our furry family members. While fruits (and vegetables) are not necessary in a dogs diet, they can certainly act as a nutritional boost or act as a healthy snack. Much like the "Healthy Vegetables for your Dogs" article I have previously written, you can use any of the fruits mentioned on the following list! Replace store bought treats with pieces of fruit, or add some fruit to your dogs diet and give them something nutritious and healthy!

Blueberries
These antioxidant rich berries are FULL of nutrition, including but not limited to vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin A, folate, phosphorus, calcium and potassium! Ideal for brain health, eye health and the cancer fighting properties!

Strawberries
Rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and more, strawberries make a healthy and tasty treat that is low in calories and high in taste and nutrition. Another excellent frozen treat for dogs!

Pears
Do not feed seeds/core. Light, low calories and refreshing! Pears contain vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium! A few pear slices make an excellent summer treat!

Cranberries
Known for helping to maintain a healthy urinary tract, cranberries can help flush the kidneys and prevent urinary infections. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus and potassium!

Watermelon
Refreshing, full of water, and perfect for a fun snack on a hot summer day! Watermelon is full of vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and water! Watermelon is great for helping rehydrate dogs!

Cantaloup
Full of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, niacin, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and omega fatty acids, cantaloup is another fun and refreshing snack for dogs that can also help rehydrate them!

The popularity of feeding real food to our furry family members is growing rapidly, which is a wonderful step forward in animal care. As pet owners learn that real food is superior to commercial kibble, they are more willing to add fresh whole food to their dogs' diets. This results in dogs getting whole food nutrition and people are often substituting poor quality "junk" treats for healthy fruits and vegetables.

The following list of vegetables are safe and healthy for your dog! While dogs do not need vegetables in their diet to survive, and don't receive a lot of nutrition from vegetables, they can make a great snack. Cooking (boiling, steaming or baking) or making a vegetable puree is the only way our dogs can derive good levels of nutrition from vegetables. Since dogs are carnivores and do not have the proper enzymes to digest vegetables, cooking or chopping them very finely helps "pre-digest" the vegetable matter for them so that nutrients are unleashed in the digestive tract and absorbed into the body easily.

Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is a highly nutritious vegetable full of beta carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E. This vegetable is best boiled and mashed or cut into chunks. Sweet potato is ideal in sick or bland diets to help bulk up food, add fiber and soothe the digestive system.

Carrots
Raw or boiled, carrots are an excellent snack rich in beta carotene, carotenoids and vitamin A. When raw, they can help clean the teeth by acting as a crunchy chew for dogs to gnaw on. Whether or not they are raw or boiled, they are well known for improving red pigments in the fur!

Green Beans
Full of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, the B vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium and calcium - green beans are a super healthy snack. Crunchy when raw and excellent for bulking up food, green beans are safe and healthy for dogs! Green beans can be added to a dogs diet if they are notorious for always being hungry!

Pumpkin
Famous for being a digestive aid, pumpkin is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and can both aid constipation and help firm up diarrhea. This vegetables is perfect for soothing an upset stomach! Pumpkin can be used to improve red pigment in a dogs coat.

Zucchini
Best fed cooked, zucchini is full of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B-6. Zucchini is also low in calories. Zucchini is extremely popular in homemade dog food recipes for it's B vitamins and fiber!

Cucumber
Cucumber is a refreshing, healthy and crunchy vegetable dogs love! This is a great low calorie, low sugar option for dogs. Cut into thick slices and freeze for a hydrating snack in the hot months!

Broccoli
Loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B-6. Broccoli is fantastic steamed, baked or boiled, can be served cooked in the food bowl or given as a crunchy snack.

Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be fed just like broccoli, best steamed or boiled but it also makes a good crunchy snack. Cauliflower is full of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Celery
Celery is ideal for dogs who need a healthy, very low calorie and low sugar treat. Crunchy and delicious with a high water content, this is a perfect treat for dogs! While it is not as nutrient dense as other vegetables,  celery is a great source of potassium and fiber.

If you are interested in switching your dogs to a more whole food, natural diet consider learning about a raw food diet or a homemade diet.

Don't forget to come join our positive only, friendly, wonderful FB community for dog lovers: The K9 Connection.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

A homemade dog food diet is an excellent, healthy alternative to commercial kibble. Homemade dog food can help promote health and well being in your four-legged family members by providing real food, wholesome nutrition and freshness you simply cannot get with kibble diets. Making your own dog food is easier than you think, and can also be quite inexpensive! Purchasing your meat on sale and buying bagged frozen vegetables will be cheaper than buying a high quality kibble!

This free homemade dog food recipe is balanced and complete to AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards. A complete whole food multivitamin is ESSENTIAL to every homemade recipe to replace any nutrients lost in the cooking process. To get my entire collection of balanced homemade dog food recipes, check out my Homemade Dog Food Recipe eBook!

Beef and Sweet Vegetables

INGREDIENTS

• 550g boiled beef liver
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup of boiled sweet potato
• 1/2 cup of boiled green beans
• 1/2 cup of boiled peas
• 1/2 cup of boiled carrots
• 1/4 cup of 2% fat cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 scoops of Nupro Gold Supplement

DIRECTIONS

1. Chop the beef liver into small pieces and boil until cooked. (Do not overcook!)
2. Boil sweet potato, green beans, peas and carrots until tender.
3. In a large bowl add the sweet potato, green beans, peas, carrots, applesauce, cottage cheese and extra virgin olive oil. Mash it all together and mix well.
4. Add the boiled beef liver to the mash, mix it in.
5. When the food cools, add 1 1/2 scoops of the Nupro Gold supplement.
6. Serve!

FEEDING GUIDE FOR THIS MEAL

• 10 lbs - 208g a day
• 20 lbs - 350g a day
• 40 lbs - 589g a day
• 60 lbs - 798g a day
• 80 lbs - 991g a day
• 100 lbs - 1172g a day

Want more balanced and complete recipes? Check out my eBook: Homemade Dog Food Recipes

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Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Nutrition plays a very important role in your dog's health and well-being during their life, and adding supplements and nutrient dense "extras" to their food bowl can have a big impact on their overall health. There are many different supplements pet owners can add to their dog's diet, but there are five specific supplements that I strongly believe every dog should enjoy the benefits of.

Supplements provide a nutritional boost when fed along with a balanced and complete diet, and can ensure that your dogs dietary needs are being met and potentially exceeded. By adding certain supplements to your dog's diet you can help prevent disease and fight illness. The reason why I recommend giving your dogs supplements is because I strongly believe in using nutrition as a preventive. When the body is strong and the body's systems are functioning properly (be it digestive, immune, cardiovascular, etc) the dog is better able to recover quickly from illness, avoid disease and handle physical and emotional stress.

OMEGA FATTY ACIDS
Omega fatty acids such as salmon oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, and borage seed oil provide many different nutritional benefits. Omega fatty acids are ideal for dogs with allergies, skin disorders or plain dry skin since these nutritious oils help add moisture, fullness and shine to any coat. These oils also promote healthy cognitive function as well as growth and development in puppies and young dogs. Omega fatty acids have also been proven to aid in promoting heart health and relief from arthritis and inflammation.

Read more about omega fatty acid oils with my article: The Benefits of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids For Dogs

PROBIOTICS / ACIDOPHILUS
Probiotics are an excellent way to significantly boost the digestive system and the immune system. Adding probiotics to your dog's diet will help them properly digest their food while improving nutrient absorption. Probiotics also help build immune system health by creating a proper balance of healthy bacteria in the body, making it easier for the body to fend off harmful bacteria and disease. Probiotics have also proven to be beneficial to dogs with allergies, digestive disorders and susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Read more about the benefits of probiotics with my article: The Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs

COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is a healthy,very easily digested fat that is quickly converted to energy in the body. Coconut oil is my third recommendation because of it's antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Coconut oil also helps condition the dog's fur to make it thick, glossy and healthy. Coconut oil can also be applied topically to hot spots, cuts and abrasions and can also be used as an all natural toothpaste!

Learn more about this powerful natural remedy with my article: The Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs

MULTIVITAMIN
A good multivitamin can provide dogs with a nutritional boost that can improve their physical condition and help prevent disease and illness. Dogs who receive complete nutritionally balance in their diets are stronger, live longer, and recover from sickness faster.

Read more about my most recommended multivitamins here: The Best Multivitamins for your Dog

When you combine these supplements with a balanced, highly nutritious diet you ultimately set your dog up for a life of strength, health and longevity. Choosing a correct diet is the most important factor in ensuring the very best health your dog can possibly achieve.

Learn more about diet with my other nutrition articles!

The Incredible Raw Food Diet
The Benefits of a Homemade Diet for Dogs
The Best Dog Foods

Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog post updates and other helpful dog tips!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus) is a common, well known form of healthy bacteria (intestinal flora) that belongs in the digestive tract of every mammal, working with the body to protect it and aid in the digestion of food. These safe, necessary organisms are an important piece of the "total health" puzzle and can even help prevent disease and alleviate illness. There are a lot of phenomenal benefits that come with supplementing our dogs with probiotics, but the exceptional boost to their immune system alone is worth making probiotics an addition to your dog's nutrition program!

Supplementing your dogs diet with probiotics can act as a form of therapeutic treatment for a variety of health problems. It can also be a preventive measure against the bad bacteria overwhelming your dog's digestive tract which ultimately makes them sick. Many holistic veterinarians, nutritionists and traditional veterinarians will recommend probiotics to help combat and prevent bacterial infections and digestive disorders. By reinforcing the beneficial bacteria in your dog's gut, probiotics act as a safe way to keep harmful bacteria under control by allowing the strong beneficial bacteria to compete with the bad bacteria and ultimately prevent the wrong bacteria from flourishing.

Scientific research has been done repeatedly on the benefits of probiotics for dogs and the findings were great, showing that dogs did in fact receive significant benefits from the supplementation of probiotics both short term and long term. Veterinarians once believed that acidophilus could not survive passage from the dog's acidic stomach to the intestinal tract, but this was proven false. The healthy bacteria are strong and resilient, making it easy for dogs to nourish their intestinal tract with the bacteria designed to help them stay strong and healthy.

So how can probiotics benefit your dog? You'll be surprised by the many ways a strong and healthy digestive system can combat disease and prevent illness in our furry family members.

Supplementing puppies and young dogs with probiotics has shown to decrease the frequency and severity of allergies, increase healthy weight gain and growth, and decrease the frequency of illness and disease by providing a good foundation towards exceptional immune system health.

Probiotics are also ideal for dogs with digestive issues such as inflammatory bowel disease since this supplement promotes a healthy digestive tract. Ultimately probiotics assist in the breakdown of nutrients while aiding in proper digestion by encouraging the production of digestive enzymes. Probiotics help maintain a healthy, well functioning digestive system which is of vital importance in dogs with digestive disorders.

Probiotics can also help alleviate symptoms of allergies by strengthening the digestive system and the immune system to prevent allergic symptoms from arising when the dog is exposed to allergens. A stronger immune system means the body is able to better handle the allergens the dog has been exposed to, ultimately soothing symptoms or even potentially eliminating allergies all together. When you remind yourself how allergic reactions work, it will make more sense to you. Allergic reactions occur when the weakened immune system detects something and labels it as foreign or a threat, which in turn creates a variety of symptoms as the body fights to get rid of it. A stronger immune system means better overall immune system function. A strong immune system is not prone to allergies.

A homemade dog food diet is packed full of real wholesome meat, nutritious fruit and hearty vegetables. This whole food diet is the perfect way to provide your furry family members with real nutrition that will promote health and longevity.

Second only to a Raw Food Diet for dogs, a homemade diet is an extremely healthy alternative to often unhealthy commercial kibble diets. With a homemade dog food diet you can control the ingredients, potential allergens, additives and nutrition of your dog's food. Better nutrition means a longer, healthier life and ultimately less time your dog will spend being sick and less money you will spend at the veterinarian hospital! Making your own homemade dog food is a great opportunity to provide your dogs with a wide variety of different meat, fruits and vegetables which results in a nutrient dense diet!

A homemade dog food diet is perfect for dogs suffering from allergies, since you can control exactly what ingredients your dog is eating. Adding supplements that improve skin and coat condition while feeding ingredients that do not create allergic symptoms in your dog can alleviate allergies or eliminate symptoms completely! People often notice their dogs smell much better, as that infamous "doggy odour" often goes away when dogs are fed a clean diet. Homemade dog food can also improve a dogs' physical condition, improve symptoms of various medical conditions, promote good dental health and strengthen their immune system to ward off illness and disease!

Homemade diet recipes are created with both cooked and raw whole food ingredients, looking much like meals you yourself would eat! Homemade diet recipes use meat (muscle meat and organ meat) with processed (cooked or pureed) whole vegetables and a moist carrier (yoghurt, cottage cheese, kefir, tomato sauce, applesauce) to mix a multivitamin into. The multivitamin is of vital importance to a homemade dog food recipe because it replaces any nutrients lost during the cooking process and ensures complete and balanced nutrition. The multivitamin used in homemade dog food recipes must be a complete whole food multivitamin, as some are not balanced or complete enough to be used in a homemade diet recipe There are several excellent choices, but it is best to consult a dog nutritionist who can help you learn how to properly balance meals.

There is a list of vitamins and minerals that must be added to a cooked homemade diet in order for it to be nutritionally complete, you can learn about these nutrients in my eBook "The Healthy Canine". Since fruits and vegetables are difficult for our dogs (who are carnivores) to digest, we must process them by cooking them and/or making a fruit and veggie puree. Breaking vegetables down for our dogs helps them absorb the nutrients found within.

Get started on a homemade diet for dogs with this "try me" recipe: Beef and Sweet Vegetables

Interested in feeding your dogs a healthy homemade diet? Check out my eBook: The Healthy Canine: A Guide to Feeding a Homemade Dog Food Diet.


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There are far too many sick dogs in this world and it is time we start questioning how they got this way. Whether they are plagued with allergies, prone to illness or afflicted with various medical conditions our best friends are suffering more and more these days. Most dog owners are simply unaware of the fact that they can take control of their pets' fate and help guide them into an existence of health and well being.

There are several things we need to focus on in order to bring our dogs to optimum health. While we cannot cure all disease and prevent any sickness or injury, we can absolutely strengthen our dogs' bodies and give them everything they need to fight off illness, ward off disease and prolong their precious lives as a beloved member of our family.

There are several things we must focus on in order to create balance in health and wellness. By addressing all of these things, we provide our dogs with the opportunity to thrive.

NUTRITION
Diet and nutrition is the key to nourishing the body, providing the utmost bio-availability of nutrients on which our dogs can thrive. When we feed our dogs every day, we put food into their bodies meant to nourish and fuel them. Food helps living things grow and survive and a high quality species-appropriate diet can mean the difference between sickness and health. If we feed our dogs a poor quality diet that their bodies are not designed to thrive on, they will become weak and susceptible to sickness and disease.

A raw food diet for dogs is the most nourishing, species appropriate diet we can offer to our dogs. If you are unable to feed raw, the second best option is a homemade diet for dogs. Next in line is grain-free, high protein, whole food kibble. The following links will provide you with the in-depth knowledge I have to share on the topics of raw feeding, homemade diets and high quality commercial kibble diets:

• The Incredible Raw Food Diet for Dogs
  
• Dogs and Wolves: Why dogs are designed to eat raw!
  
• Raw Feeding Frequently Asked Questions
• A Guide to Raw Feeding eBook
• The Best Dog Foods
• Homemade Dog Food Diet Recipe eBook

• The Truth About Pet Food: Bad Ingredients

Provide only wholesome treats and snacks for your dog. Read the ingredient list on the back of treat packaging and be aware of where the ingredients are sourced from and where the treats are made. Read this article to learn more about selecting the right dog treats for your dog: How to choose healthy treats for your dog! Also consider making your own homemade treat recipes! I provide many healthy, easy and inexpensive treat recipes here on my blog under the "homemade treat" category!

Supplements are another excellent way to provide extra nutrition. While they are not necessary, they can provide a fantastic nutritional boost and target key problems that could occur in your dog. For example, supplementing your large breed dog with a joint supplement such as glucosamine can help prevent or alleviate joint issues at any point in the dogs' life.  A multivitamin such as Nupro Gold, Solid Gold Seameal or Carmspack's Feed-sentials can promote overall general health.

PREVENTION
There are several things you can do to help prevent disease and illness in your pet, all of which are simple concepts to implement into your dogs' healthcare.

The first thing is to attend your dogs' annual veterinarian check-ups, allowing a general examination to be done yearly to be vigilant over your dogs' health. When you allow a veterinarian to examine your dog yearly, your veterinarian can establish what is normal for your dog so that if problems arise they have a foundation to work with!

A minimal vaccine schedule is an excellent way to prevent bombarding your dogs with toxic substances, harsh chemicals and potentially useless anti-bodies that will overstimulate and greatly stress your dogs' immune system. Studies show that immunity from vaccines can last anywhere from 3-7 years for pets, sometimes longer, and giving your dog vaccine boosters annually is both unnecessary and potentially dangerous. The minimal vaccine protocol established by the highly reputable Dr. Jane Dodd includes vaccinating ONLY for parvovirus, distemper and rabies. After the initial set of puppy vaccinations for only those three diseases, dogs should be titered every three years to check levels of immunity in the body before making the decision to re-vaccinate.

Heartworm treatment and flea and parasite preventive/removers are harsh pesticides that veterinarians recommend be administered every month. There are two important things to understand about those monthly pills or topical treatments: The first thing is that these are pesticides your dog is ingesting monthly, while they can prevent parasites they work by effectively killing parasites, whether or not it is or isn't present in the animal's body, at every dose. This is very, very hard on the dogs' body and the chemicals present in the treatment are not exactly supportive of health in our dogs. The second thing to remember is that the heartworm/flea industry is a multi-billion dollar industry - reality is that they may not have your pet's true well-being at heart. It is important to do your own research, determine if your area has a high incident of heartworm, and use these treatments at your discretion. Many treatments don't need to be used every month, but can be extended to every other month. Use all-natural treatments where you can and just be aware of what is going into your pets' body. Voice your concerns with your veterinarian and bring research and an informed opinion to the table when it is time to discuss it.

When it comes to vaccines, heartworm treatment, and parasite prevention you should do your research, decide what will work for your lifestyle, your dog and your budget - then make informed decisions on whether or not to use any of the methods of prevention. The important thing is to be informed about what is done to your pet.

EXERCISE
Exercise will help keep your pet in good physical condition, while promoting mental stimulation and happiness. There are many different activities you can enjoy with your pet to keep them fit, help energize the body, drain energy and promote emotional wellness.

Consider long walks, running or jogging, bicycling, trail hiking, or off leash hiking (only in appropriate areas, and only if your dog has good obedience and will come when called!).

Dog sports and training such as obedience, agility, flyball, dock diving, herding, Schutzhund/IPO, tracking and rally-o are fantastic ways to stimulate your dog's body and mind, while creating a strong bond between dog and handler. Giving your dog a "job" or "sport" to do will be very fulfilling you both you and your best furry friend!

Simply including your dogs in your everyday activities, especially with the family, can provide your dog with the love and enjoyment that will nourish their spirit.
You can influence your dogs' health substantially by providing proper nutrition, being an active and informed advocate in their health care and by providing healthy exercise and mental stimulation. Let's not forget love and companionship... the greatest gift we can give the dogs who give us all of their unconditional love is to welcome them into our homes to enjoy the warmth, comfort and happiness of our family.

Please do your research and never stop learning. Cross reference information and ask questions!

If you have any questions, are seeking guidance, or would like to schedule a nutritional consultation with me please visit my contact me page or click here to e-mail me.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com