The search for nutritious dog food and appropriate treats can be an exercise in frustration and careful label reading to avoid buying products with unnecessary additives or unhealthy fillers.
However, when considering “what can dogs eat?” It may come as a surprise, but many of the same superfoods recommended for human health are also excellent choices for canine nutrition.
This article will examine six super seeds that have amazing benefits for both humans and canines.
8 Super Seeds to Add to Your Dog’s Diet
Quinoa & Amaranth
These so-called “ancient grains” are grown from plants that have been handled in the same way for thousands of years.
Since amaranth has all nine essential amino acids, it can be used as a dog’s sole source of protein. In addition to being a fantastic substitute for corn, wheat, and soy, quinoa is also a rich source of protein. With one caveat:
Avoid feeding quinoa to your dog if he or she already suffers from arthritis or kidney disease because of the negative effects of the food’s naturally occurring oxalates on these conditions.
Chia & Flaxseeds
Chia is lauded for its ability to maintain a healthy electrolyte balance in dogs and for bolstering their immune systems. Each is rich in the anti-inflammatory properties that make flax so beneficial. Please keep both in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
These nutrient-dense options, from kale to quinoa, are deserving of a spot in your dog’s food bowl.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are a good source of minerals, but they also contain sesamin and sesamolin, two compounds that have been shown to boost vitamin E levels in animals and shield the liver from oxidative damage.
Pumpkin Seeds
Dog owners frequently turn to pumpkin flesh to ease their dogs’ constipation, but you may not know that pumpkin seeds can be fed to canines as well.
Surprisingly, you can; however, it is recommended that you prepare them in advance (clean, peel, roast, and grind), as the seeds can rapidly spoil and go rancid.
Pumpkin seeds, like the other seeds on the list, are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, but they are also a natural de-wormer, have been linked to assisting in the dislodging of kidney stones (and preventing their reassembly), are good for the health of red blood cells, and are generally gut-friendly.
The seeds have about 125 calories per ounce, as well as about 5 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbohydrates, and 5 grams of dietary fiber.
Keep an eye on your dog while feeding it pumpkin seeds (small foods can be a choking hazard), and don’t give it too many of them or it could have diarrhea or soft stools.
To incorporate pumpkin seeds into your dog’s diet, you can simply roast them as treats or grind them up and bake them into treats.
Fortunately, pumpkin is already included in our Homegrown Vegetable Meal Topper, so your dog can enjoy all the wonderful nutrients and health benefits without any additional work on your part.
Sunflower Seeds
When feeding your dog sunflower seeds, make sure to remove the husks first. The kernels inside the husks are what your dog will actually eat, and the husks can cause stomach upset or even severe diarrhoea if ingested.
Vitamins B1, B3, B6, E, copper, folate, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and selenium can all be found in these seeds, making them a healthy dietary supplement.
It is said that feeding your dog these seeds will help with:
- New, healthier skin and a coat that looks great
- Treatment of diabetes
- Possibly slowing the progression of tumors
- Cholesterol control
They don’t require massive servings because a quarter of a cup of seeds provides roughly 190 calories, 6 grams of protein, 16 grams of fats, and 4 grams of fiber.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp is another extremely versatile plant; its fibers and oils are used in many different products, and its seeds have been shown to have many positive effects on canine health.
Hemp seeds have been said to help dogs because they contain beneficial nutrients like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium.
- Enhanced quality of skin and fur
- Modifying inflammation
- Prevention of heart disease
- Increasing resistance to illness
In addition, the seeds’ sedative qualities have been linked to a variety of health benefits, including relief from pain, cognitive dysfunctions, arthritis, anxiety, and reduced cancer risk.
As a complete protein (containing all the amino acids necessary for a balanced diet), hemp can be helpful in giving dogs a nutritious diet.
“Many consider it the safest, most digestible, balanced, natural, and complete source of protein, amino acids, and essential fats found anywhere in nature,” says Dr. Jean Dodds, founder of Hemopet.
A daily serving size of 1 tablespoon of the seeds (or 1/2 tablespoon for puppies) is recommended when giving the seeds to your dog.
If your dog isn’t interested in eating the seeds, you can add some hemp oil to their food or some healthy dog treats in a dose that’s appropriate for their size, age, and breed.