Nutrition Tips to Keep Your Pup Healthy This Winter
During the winter months, pet parents should take extra care to ensure their furry friend is staying healthy. With the cold weather, it can be hard to make sure your pup gets all of the nutrients that they need. Luckily, there are plenty of nutritious tips and tricks you can incorporate to ensure your dog’s health is in great shape this winter.
Incorporating Winter Veggies
Incorporating even 20% of fresh food into your dog’s diet has been proven to extend their lives. Many vegetables like squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes are in season during the winter months and great for your dog’s dietary needs. These veggies are packed with antioxidants and vitamins which help boost your pup’s immune system and prevent future health problems. The fiber in vegetables also helps digestion and gut health. Pups need these nutrients in order to have a balanced diet just as much as people do! Click here to learn about the best seasonal winter vegetables for your dog and how to serve them!
Boost Your Pup’s Immune System
Just like us, our dogs are more likely to get sick during the winter months. Boost your dog’s immune system with foods that are rich in Omega-3s such as sardines, flaxseeds or learn about our new Omega Oil. This supplement will help to better your pet’s health and activity level, and provide them with the boost your dog needs.
Winter Boots or Wash Those Paws
Wait, what do winter boots have to do with my dog’s nutrition? If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice, consider investing in a pair of waterproof boots for your pup. This will prevent their paws from getting too cold and also protect them from any potential irritants on the ground such as salt or gravel used for melting snow. The salt used on city sidewalks can be very harmful to your dog’s intestinal tract. To protect your dog’s tummy, wear boots or wash those paws post-walk. Alternatively, wash your dog’s paws after every walk with warm water and a gentle soap to prevent any build-up of salt or other chemicals on their skin.
Homemade Treats
There are tons of tasty homemade treats you can make for your pup’s well-being using natural ingredients like pumpkin puree, peanut butter, applesauce or oatmeal! Not only do these treats provide important nutritional needs but they also help promote gut health since natural ingredients are easier for dogs to digest than processed treats. With homemade treats, you know exactly what your furry friend is eating with no chemicals or questionable ingredients. Here are some of our favorite single-ingredient low caloric dog treats
1. Apple Chips
With only 1 ingredient, these Apple Chips are simple, delicious, and nutritious. Apples are the perfect source of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. These apple chips can be fed as a simple snack, treat or even mixed in with their food.
2. Sweet Potato Chews
Cooking for your pup doesn’t have to be difficult and it also doesn’t have to be expensive. These Sweet Potato Chews are one of the quickest and cheapest treats you can make for your dog and they also happen to be a favourite among the canine community. With the only ingredient being sweet potato, these treats are filled with tons of vitamins and nutrients your dog needs in their diet, while remaining extremely healthy.
Gut Health
The most powerful tool for your dog’s gut health is food. Choosing foods that feed friendly bacteria such as oatmeal, ginger or kale can help nourish your dog through winter. Dog Child’s Meal Mixes and Essential Nutrient Mix were formulated by vets and nutritionists to promote a healthy gut and include a blend of probiotics and prebiotics. When picking out food for your pup, make sure you look for formulas that contain whole-food ingredients like real meat and fit the nutritional requirements as opposed to chemically-processed fillers in commercial pet foods. This will prevent health issues and ensure that your dog is getting all of the nutrition they need in order to maintain a balanced diet and stay healthy throughout the winter months!
Keeping your pup healthy this winter doesn't have to be hard! By incorporating winter veggies into your dog’s diet, boosting your dog’s immune system with omega oil supplements, keeping their paws clean and warm with boots or washing them after walks, feeding them homemade treats made with natural ingredients, and providing them with high-quality dog food containing whole-food ingredients – pet parents can ensure their furry friend stays healthy all season long! And remember – a happy pup means a happy pet parent! So don't forget to give lots of love (and snacks!) during this chilly time of year!
