Did you know that dogs who are fed a high-quality diet are more likely to live longer than dogs who are fed a lower quality diet?
A study by Purina found that dogs who were fed a nutritionally balanced diet lived an average of 1.8 years longer than dogs who were not. How interesting!
Taking all of this into consideration, we have decided to provide you with 5 healthiest and most beneficial foods that can help your dog live longer.
We’re talking evidence-based diets that will keep your pooch by your side for many years to come!
5 Tasty Foods That Can Help Your Dog Live Longer
If you are curious about what kind of foods can help your dog live longer, we’ve got you covered!
Each and every one of these foods are beneficial for every dog’s health and we are about to explain why!
1. Lean Protein
First thing’s first, let’s talk about protein in dog food.
This is the healthiest ingredient that is often put in the first place due to its importance. How protein makes dogs live longer by helping their muscles develop during the crucial developmental phases, as well as maintaining them during life.
Maintaining strong muscle mass is essential for mobility and overall canine health.
You can choose between healthy lean proteins like:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Fish
These protein-rich foods are a great source of muscle-building nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are important for maintaining good health.
But that’s not all – lean proteins are also a crucial component of your dog’s immune system.
Proteins contain the aforementioned amino acids that are necessary for the creation of immune cells, which help protect your dog from harmful bacteria and viruses.
So by feeding your dog lean proteins, you’re not only helping them maintain their physical health, but also boosting their immune system to keep them healthy and happy for years to come.
When you combine such a balanced diet with a healthy exercise routine, you help keep your dog’s body in tip-top shape.
How Does Protein Make Dogs Live Longer?
When your pup eats lean proteins, its digestive system breaks down the proteins into amino acids.
These amino acids are then absorbed into the bloodstream and used to build and repair muscles, as well as create immune cells that are crucial for defending against harmful microorganisms.
Additionally, lean proteins are easier to digest and contain fewer unhealthy fats than other types of proteins, which can reduce the risk of canine obesity and other health problems that can have a big impact on your dog’s lifespan.
How Do You Prepare Lean Protein For Dogs?
Depending on what your dog prefers, lean meat such as chicken can be cooked but it can also be sauteed on some heated olive oil.
You just have to make sure that the meat is thoroughly cooked and that there are no cooked bones in it.
So, remove all the bones from the meat and avoid seasoning it with spices and seasonings like salt and pepper. Dogs prefer their meat bland!
Can Raw Diet Help Your Dog Live Longer?
Feeding your puppy raw food is a natural and healthy thing to do, but it comes with its ups and downs.
The opinions are split as some experts claim that it can improve a dog’s overall health and longevity, while others argue that there are more risks associated with feeding dogs a raw diet, such as the potential for bacterial contamination and the risk of nutritional imbalances.
When it comes to longevity, there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that a raw diet will lead to a longer lifespan for dogs.
It is very important to consult with your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your dog’s diet, including switching to a raw food diet.
2. Fruits And Veggies
Fruits and veggies make a colorful and super healthy addition to your dog’s diet. They are packed with essential nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and all the good stuff!
Antioxidants found in fruit and veggies help your dog’s immune system to grow stronger and prevent various infections. These compounds also help reduce inflammation that is caused by free radicals. Once your dog’s body is cleansed from free radicals, chances for developing any sort of cancer are minimal.
Research has shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as arthritis, heart disease, and different types of cancer.
Other nutrients such as vitamins (A, D, E, K, C, B12) and minerals help your dog’s body feel fresh and healthy, while aiding in all bodily functions, such as immune function, bone health, and muscle function.
Not only will fruits and veggies make your dog live longer, but they will also make him smarter! All of these nutrients can help our pups’ brains to work harder and more efficiently. They improve the overall cognitive function which helps our pups focus and solve various everyday puzzles!
When it comes to fiber, this beneficial compound found in fruits and vegetables helps dogs to regulate digestion and prevent constipation.
By reducing the risk of diseases, a healthy diet may help to prolong your dog’s lifespan.
Dog-Friendly Fruits
To help you choose the best option for your dog, we picked some of the tastiest and healthiest dog-friendly fruits:
- Apples (without seeds or core)
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Guava
- Mango
- Oranges (without peel or seeds)
- Papaya
- Pineapple (without the tough outer skin)
Dog-Friendly Vegetables
When it comes to veggies, here are some of our top picks you can feed your dog with!
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Green beans
- Cucumbers
- Sweet potatoes
- Zucchini
- Peas (without the pod)
3. Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are not as bad as they sound!
By fatty acids we mean the powerful omega-3 and omega-6, that are key nutrients that play a huge role in your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. Of course they play a role in prolonging your dog’s lifespan!
Besides regulating inflammation, these acids are important for maintaining healthy skin and coat. They do a good job in reducing dry flaky skin, reducing dull and dry coats, as well as preventing hair loss and itching. Because of them, your dog has a super-shiny and bright coat!
Omega-3 fatty acids have shown great results in supporting cognitive function in dogs. They are among the superfoods that make your pup smarter!
Due to the fact that these acids alleviate inflammation, they help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, heart failure, and other cardiovascular problems.
It is very important to note that, while fatty acids are essential for your dog’s health, you must feed them in the correct ratio, as too much of anything can be bad.
4. Probiotics
Probiotics are the good guys of the bacterial world! These live cultures have a lot of benefits for our dogs and there are plenty of reasons why you should give them to your pup.
Firstly, probiotics can help restore and maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria in the gut, which is crucial for healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. When dogs consume probiotics, their gut gets all the good stuff to help them fight off the bad guys – harmful bacteria that can sometimes colonize their gut and lead to health problems.
That being said, probiotics help dogs maintain a strong and healthy immune system that tackles infections and diseases, which prolongs their lifespan in the long run.
They can be found in many dairy products such as milk, blue cheese, buttermilk, whipped cream, cottage cheese and sourcream. But, the only natural probiotic source that is healthy and not toxic to dogs is yogurt!
However, despite the health benefits, there is currently limited scientific evidence to support the claim that probiotics can help make dogs live longer.
But the fact that they contribute to promoting good health in dogs says a lot about contributing to a longer life!
5. Whole Grains
Whole grains are superfoods that will keep your dog energetic and healthy!
They are a good source of complex carbohydrates, which provide a good source of energy for your pooch. They also contain fiber, which can help regulate digestion and promote healthy bowel movements.
Let’s talk about vitamins and minerals that are found in whole grains, such as vitamins E and B12, magnesium, selenium, and iron. All of them are crucial for your dog’s physiological functions because they promote healthy skin, strong immune system, and provide a lot of energy that can last throughout the day.
Whole grains also have a lower glycemic index which means that they are digested and absorbed more slowly, leading to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels.
This helps a lot with regulating blood sugar and insulin levels, which is particularly important for dogs at risk for or with diabetes.
The fact that they keep the organism healthy and prevent diseases from occurring is the main reason why whole grains are thought to make your dog’s life longer.
Here are some whole grains that your pup can safely munch on:
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Oats
- Barley
There are two reasons why feeding whole grains to dogs is often a debatable subject.
One of them being high carbohydrate levels that can lead to canine obesity, if given in large amounts of course. The other risk is that some dogs may be allergic to whole grain foods which can lead to excessive flatulence, watery stools, and other digestive issues.
It is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian to figure out the appropriate amount and type of whole grains for your canine companion, as well as do some allergy tests.
Conclusion
Let’s face it, there are no magic foods that can help make your dog live longer.
But, these 5 superfoods help your dog stay healthy which is the single most important step to living a long life.
Remember, you are what you eat, and so is your pooch!