I remember the first time I watched my dog Casey eat a fresh carrot. Her eyes lit up with surprise, then delight, as she crunched through this simple veggie treat. It was a lightbulb moment for me. If this plain, unprocessed food could bring her so much joy, what other whole food benefits was I missing out on sharing with her?
That moment changed how I think about feeding the dogs in my care. Now, I’m not suggesting you need to completely overhaul your dog’s diet (that’s a decision between you and your vet). But I’ve seen firsthand how adding simple, whole-foods to a dog’s life can bring benefits that shine through in their eyes, coat, and bounce in their step.
What Are Whole Foods Anyway?
Whole-foods are pretty much what they sound like — foods that remain close to their natural state. Think fresh vegetables, fruits, and quality proteins that haven’t gone through heavy processing or had lots of artificial bits added.
For our dogs, these foods provide nutrition in the way nature packaged it. The carrot that made Bella’s tail wag came with fibre, vitamins, and a satisfying crunch all wrapped up together — no factory required!
The Simple Benefits I’ve Noticed
When I started incorporating more whole food ingredients into treats for the dogs on my adventures, I noticed some changes that made me smile:
Better Digestion: One of my adventure dogs, Max, used to have the most awful gas, he used to fart up a storm in the back of the car (sorry for the overshare, but I know some of you are nodding in recognition right now!). After switching his treats to ones with simple ingredients like pumpkin and oats, his tummy settled down within weeks. His humans were pretty pleased about this development too!
Brighter Eyes and Coats: The natural oils and nutrients in whole foods seem to shine through from the inside out. I’ve watched dull coats transform into shiny ones after consistent use of treats with ingredients like coconut.
Steady Energy: Processed treats with lots of fillers can cause energy spikes and crashes in some dogs. I’ve found that treats made with whole-food ingredients tend to provide more consistent energy — which means more fun and less crash-and-burn on our adventures!
Happier Teeth: The natural abrasive texture of some whole-foods like carrots and apples can help clean teeth as your dog chews. This doesn’t replace dental care, but it’s a nice bonus!
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact
I’m a firm believer that you don’t need complicated formulas or trendy superfoods to make a positive difference for your dog. Some of the most beneficial ingredients are the simplest:
Carrots: Packed with vitamin A and offering a satisfying crunch, these orange veggies are a hit with most dogs. I remember watching a tiny Chihuahua named Pip drag a whole carrot bigger than his head across the garden — determination personified!
Pumpkin: This amazing vegetable helps with digestion and is gentle on sensitive tummies. It’s my go-to for dogs who require a bit of extra fibre in their diet.
Coconut: The healthy fats in coconut can help with skin health and provide a natural energy source. Plus, most dogs love the taste!
Peanut Butter: As long as it’s xylitol-free and used in moderation, peanut butter provides healthy protein and fats that support muscle health. The look of pure bliss on a dog’s face when they get a lick of peanut butter is one of life’s simple joys.
Beetroot: This vibrant veg is full of antioxidants and adds beautiful colour to treats. It’s also surprisingly sweet, which many dogs enjoy.
Starting Simple
If you’re keen to bring more whole foods into your dog’s life, start small. You don’t need to make huge changes all at once. Here are some easy ways to begin:
- Use whole-food treats: Look for treats (like ours!) made with ingredients you recognise and could eat yourself.
- Add a veggie topper: Try adding a spoonful of steamed, mashed pumpkin or carrot to your dog’s regular food.
- Frozen treats: On hot days, freeze some low-sodium chicken broth with bits of carrot or peas for a cooling whole-food treat.
- Training treats: Small pieces of cooked chicken or turkey make excellent, high-value training rewards without the artificial additives.
My dog Casey used to go absolutely mad for frozen blueberries in summer. She caught them in mid-air like little purple meteors, and they help keep her cool during our beach outings. It was such a simple pleasure for both of us!
Balance Is Key
I should mention that balance matters when it comes to adding whole foods to your dog’s diet. Too much of even a good thing can upset the balance of a complete and balanced diet.
I learned this lesson when I got a bit too enthusiastic with adding salmon to one of my dog’s meals. Let’s just say the resulting digestive upset was a reminder that moderation is important! Treats of any kind should make up no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily food intake.
The Joy Factor
Perhaps the most significant benefit of whole-foods isn’t something you can measure – it’s the joy they bring. There’s something special about sharing simple, natural foods with our dogs. It connects us to them, and them to the natural world of flavours and textures.
I still smile thinking about one of my home visit dogs, an elderly Labrador who’d lost interest in treats until I offered him one of my freshly made peanut butter and apple bites. The way his nose twitched, then his eyes widened, and finally his tail started wagging – it was like watching a machine power back up! His human told me later it was the first time he’d shown excitement about food in months.
That’s the real magic of whole foods – they can bring back some joy and spark to our dogs’ lives in a simple, natural way.
Small Changes, Happy Dogs
You don’t need to feel pressured to make dramatic changes or follow the latest pet food trend. Sometimes the best things we can do for our dogs’ wellbeing are the simplest.
Start with one whole-food addition, or swap artificial treats for natural ones. Watch your dog’s response. Enjoy the process together.
Because really, isn’t that shared joy what having a dog is all about?
