You may have heard the hype about superfoods for dogs, but what exactly does that term mean, and which foods qualify?

Informed pet parents are turning away from store-bought dog treats in favor of fresher, healthier options. Superfoods for dogs include nutrient-rich options from all the major food groups: protein, dairy, fruits and veggies, and even healthy grains. In fact, you’ll find many of the same superfoods recommended for humans on our list of superfoods for dogs. It’s a great opportunity to share some snacks and boost your own health along with your pup’s!

What constitutes a superfood?

Superfoods are whole ingredients that are naturally packed with healthful compounds such as vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. In other words, they are foods that offer a whole lot of nutritional bang for your buck without excess fat, calories, or cholesterol.

The following superfoods are safe and healthy for dogs. Check out our feeding tips to ensure your pup gets the maximum nutritional benefit from their new super snacks.

Superfoods for Dogs

Kale and other dark, leafy greens

Leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach are packed with calcium, iron, potassium, and fiber, as well as vitamins A, E, and C. They are also chock full of cancer-fighting antioxidants. According to a 2005 study, eating dark green leafy vegetables helped reduce the risk of dogs developing cancer by 90%!

Proving its might as a superfood for dogs, kale also helps reduce inflammation and aid the liver in its vital task of removing toxins from the body.

Feeding your dog leafy greens

As you may have experienced yourself, kale can be a bit bitter, so you may have trouble getting your dog to consume it raw. Try shredding up raw kale or spinach and mixing it with your dog’s food or steaming your leafy green of choice to improve palatability. Just make sure you rinse your greens well before serving them to your dog to remove any residual pesticides.

Note, if your dog has a history of bladder stones or kidney disease, consult with your vet before giving your dog kale.

Carrots

Many dogs love the crunchy sweetness of raw carrots, and thanks to their status as a superfood, cooked carrots are often used in fresh dog food and treats. Carotenoids, the natural pigments that give carrots their orange color (and their name!), act as immune-boosting antioxidants. Carrots are also a great source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and vitamins B, C, and K.

Chewing raw carrots is great for your dog’s teeth and gums, and offers a low-calorie alternative to preservative-packed commercial dog treats.

Feeding carrots as a superfood for dogs

Carrots are easy to serve as a raw, crunchy treat or cooked and added to your pup’s food. While baby carrots are perfectly safe, they are processed before packaging, so you may want to choose whole, organic carrots instead. Be sure to wash and cut them into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking.

When cooking, steaming or boiling works best and there is no need to add butter, oil, or spices during the process. If your pup is picky, try pureeing boiled carrots to make them easier to mix into their regular food.

Berries (especially blueberries)

Blueberries may be the most well-known of all the superfoods. They are rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants, manganese, fiber, and vitamins C and E. Studies have found that blueberries - as well as other berries such as acai berries, strawberries, and blackberries - help reduce the risk of certain cancers, prevent weight gain, and may stave off brain-aging symptoms. Blueberries and cranberries are also excellent for urinary tract health.

Feeding your dog berries

While all the berries mentioned above are safe for dogs, be sure to feed them in moderation due to their sugar content and potential to cause an upset stomach. Cut or puree berries to prevent choking. You can even add them to plain yogurt for a cool, healthy treat.

Turmeric

Turmeric has been used for its nutritional and medicinal qualities for centuries, but it has only recently been recognized as a superfood for dogs. The compound curcumin, which gives turmeric its golden color, is packed with antioxidants and boasts anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Turmeric is often found in supplements for both humans and dogs and is believed to fight cancer, support the liver, improve gastrointestinal function, and reduce joint pain.

How to give turmeric to dogs

Turmeric must be made into a paste with a healthy oil like coconut oil or olive oil in order for dogs to absorb the curcumin. If you would rather avoid the complicated cooking and preparation process, try a supplement containing turmeric instead. Just be sure to choose a dog-specific product to ensure proper dosing.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, offering a boost to your dog’s immune system, eye health, and skin and coat quality. Best known for its high-fiber content, pumpkin is a superfood for dogs that is especially beneficial for poop problems. Whether your dog is prone to diarrhea or constipation, fresh or canned pumpkin can help. This fall favorite is also loaded with calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and E.

Feeding pumpkin to dogs

To cook a fresh pumpkin, give it a good wash, cut it in half, and remove the seeds and pith (stringy innards). Then, simply bake the halves on a cookie sheet. You can serve it to your dog in diced chunks or puree it and mix it with food.

When it comes to canned pumpkin, be sure to choose 100% plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.

Sweet Potatoes

Another orange veggie superfood, sweet potatoes are tasty and packed with beta-carotene, heart-healthy vitamin A, and immune-boosting vitamin C. Better still, sweet potatoes offer 150% more antioxidants than blueberries, the darling of superfoods.

Feeding your dog sweet potato

Dogs should never eat raw sweet potato, as it can be difficult to chew and potentially cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed. Instead, bake it until soft, remove the skin, and feed it as a healthy treat or mix it with food.

Oily Fish

Oily fish like herring, salmon, sardines, and anchovies are tasty superfoods for dogs, packed with protein, healthy fats, and the essential fatty acid, Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids boost dogs’ skin and coat health, as well as fight arthritis, inflammation, and brain aging. Oily fish are also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals including calcium for bone and joint health.

Small fish such as anchovies and sardines are lower on the food chain than bigger fish, and therefore more sustainable and less likely to contain dangerous levels of mercury.

Feeding anchovies and sardines as superfoods for dogs

Choose wild-caught canned anchovies and sardines packed in water rather than oil to reduce excess fat. Be sure the canned fish you choose is also free of added salt. You can feed them right from the can as a tasty treat, or cut them up and add them to your pup’s food.

Since anchovies and sardines are so small, it is safe to serve them whole, bones and all. Just keep calorie content in mind to prevent weight gain. Anchovies have about eight calories per fish, while a can of sardines in water contains about 100 calories.

Nori and Kelp

Another superfood from the sea, dried seaweed is known as nori when used in sushi. High in protein and soluble fiber, nori is also rich in B, C, and E vitamins, plus minerals such as zinc and copper. Nori is a staple in Japanese culture thanks to its immune-boosting and tumor-fighting properties.

Kelp, which is also a type of seaweed, is a great source of sodium, calcium, folic acid, iodine, and vitamin A. Like nori, it helps boost the immune system and may even aid in weight loss.

Feeding your dog nori and kelp

Not all grocery stores sell food-grade seaweed, so you may have to look for it at a specialty health shop. Be sure to choose a low-sodium product.

Chia seeds

These tiny little seeds pack a big punch when it comes to nutrition. Chia seeds offer protein, fiber, antioxidants, calcium, iron, magnesium, B vitamins, and Omega-3 fatty acids. They are known to boost the immune system, improve skin and coat quality, and support joint and intestinal health. They may even help regulate blood sugar and satiety, making them a great superfood for dogs trying to lose weight.

Giving chia seeds as a superfood for dogs

Soak chia seeds in a 1 to 10 ratio with water for 30 to 90 minutes, then mix with your dog’s food. Due to their high fiber content, the recommended serving amount is 1/4 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight.

Quinoa

Quinoa is technically another seed, but believe it or not, it is closely related to spinach, one of our leafy green superfoods for dogs. Quinoa is a complete protein that boasts all eight of the essential amino acids. It is a formidable antioxidant and rich in fiber, folate, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and more.

Is it safe to feed quinoa to dogs?

Some people have concerns about feeding quinoa to dogs due to its saponin content. This naturally-produced insect-repellent helps protect the plant from pests but may cause intestinal irritation. Luckily, the saponin content in quinoa is too low to cause problems, However, if you are concerned, washing the quinoa before cooking should remove any traces of the chemical.

Yogurt

Like pumpkin, yogurt is known to help improve gut health in dogs. Naturally packed with active cultures known as probiotics, yogurt can help maintain and restore the healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.

In addition to probiotics, yogurt contains protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. It is also a natural source of vitamin B12 for a healthy immune system.

Feeding yogurt as a superfood for dogs

When buying yogurt for your dog, make sure you choose plain, unsweetened yogurt. Greek yogurt is known to pack more protein, but regular yogurt is safe and healthy, too. Mix one or two tablespoons with your dog’s food or offer it as a separate treat. Pups usually love it!

Bone Broth: The Ultimate Superfood For Dogs

Made from raw or cooked animal bones and connective tissue, bone broth is slowly simmered for 24 hours or more to extract all the beneficial nutrients. The resulting broth contains glucosamine, chondroitin, protein-rich gelatin, and other compounds known to support joint health.

Preparing bone broth for your dog

Cooking bone broth at home is a bit of a commitment, but the superfood benefits for dogs are worth it. Use raw bones or bones left over from your meals. Chicken, turkey, beef, and pork bones are all safe to use. Joint bones are best due to the large amount of connective tissue and marrow they offer.

Learn more about bone broth as the ultimate superfood for dogs and find a detailed recipe here.

Superfoods For Dogs: 12 Healthful Snacks You Can Share With Your Pup