How to Add Superfoods Without Overcomplicating
Boosting the Bowl is Easy & You've Already Got the Boosters in Your Fridge!
I had a moment with Zaner last week.
I was making breakfast. Scrambled eggs, a handful of blueberries on the side. He was doing that thing he does. You know the one. The full body stare. The "I know that's food and I know you love me so much that I'm going to get some" eyes. 👀
And I already knew the answer before he even asked.
Because here is the thing. Blueberries are not just human foods. They are whole foods that a dog's body knows exactly what to do with. I have done the research. I know what belongs in the bowl. So I made room for them by swapping out a small portion of his regular food. 🫐
That is the part most people miss.
You do not pile superfoods on top of a full bowl. You swap a small portion of what is already in there. Same calories. Better nutrition. No unwanted fluff on your floof. If you'd prefer to listen to this blog, you can click here and look for S1E26: How to Add Superfoods without Overcomplicating and listen anywhere you love listening to podcasts.
🫐 Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the best foods on the planet for fighting something called oxidative stress. Think of it this way. Every day your dog's body produces tiny unstable molecules called free radicals. If too many of them build up, they start damaging cells. That damage adds up over time and speeds up aging, inflammation, and disease.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are like little bodyguards that catch those harmful molecules before they can do any damage. The result is a stronger immune system, a body that ages more slowly, and less inflammation overall.
2 or 3 berries for a small floof. A small handful for a bigger dog. Swap a tablespoon or two of their regular food to make room and instantly improve the diet!
🥚 Eggs and the Part Most People Throw Away
The whole egg is one of the best sources of protein you can put in your dog's bowl. Protein is what builds and repairs muscles, organs, skin, and coat. The body absorbs egg protein really easily, which means less work for the digestive system and more benefit for your floof.
But the part I really want you to pay attention to is the membrane. That thin papery layer sitting just inside the shell. Most people rinse it down the drain without a second thought.
That little membrane is loaded with collagen, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid. These are the building blocks that keep joints cushioned, cartilage healthy, and connective tissue strong. In simple terms, it is one of Mother Nature's best joint supplements and it has been sitting in your kitchen this whole time.
If peeling membranes sounds like too much work for a busy pet parent, we carry powdered eggshell membrane at the shop. Same benefit. Zero effort. And if you're reading this thinking, "ugh...my pet is allergic to chicken so I can't feed eggs" You actually can! Chicken meat and eggs have two different amino acid profiles, which means dogs who do have a chicken allergy, would not respond negatively to eggs or even chicken fat.
🍄 Mushrooms
Mushrooms like Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Lion's Mane have been studied a lot in recent years and what researchers keep finding is pretty remarkable. Mushrooms are also considered a little controversial and that's because in the same species, they can be lethal or immensely therapeutic. If you can buy a mushroom in the grocery store, it is safe for your furry family to eat! We don't let them roam fields eating wild mushrooms, because we don't know the species, but the same mushrooms we buy for ourselves or mushroom supplements are totally safe and one of our top recommendations for improving immunity.
Medicinal mushrooms contain natural compounds that talk directly to the immune system. They help the body recognize threats faster and respond to them better. Turkey Tail in particular is really good for gut health, and that matters more than most people realize. About 70% of the immune system actually lives in the gut. A healthy gut means a stronger, more resilient floof all around. Turkey Tail is also one of the mushrooms we recommend as part of a holistic approach to a cancer diagnosis. While it isn't a cure, it contains powerful compounds that help the body produce and activate the white blood cells needed to fight the disease and support the immune system.
If you're adding whole food mushrooms, stir a small amount into the bowl a few times a week. Swap out a portion of their regular food to keep things balanced. If you choose to add mushroom supplements, serve the appropriate amount for the size of your furry guy.
🫑 Bell Peppers
Bell peppers have more vitamin C than an orange, yes...even green bell peppers. Dogs actually make their own vitamin C but when the body is stressed, sick, or dealing with inflammation it burns through that supply fast. That is when food sources and natural vitamins really matter.
Vitamin C helps the body build and repair collagen. Collagen is the protein that holds skin, coat, joints, and tissues together. It also works as an antioxidant, teaming up with the blueberries to give your furry guy extra protection against cell damage.
Remove the seeds, slice it up raw, and swap a small portion of the bowl to make room. I typically dice my peppers into Zaner-sized pieces and store them in a small airtight glass container in the fridge. They stay fresh for the week and Zaner is definitely a bell pepper-aholic! He loves his peppers in all colours!
🥕 Carrots
Carrots are full of beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A keeps eyes healthy, supports the immune system, and helps maintain healthy skin and coat. It absorbs best when eaten with a meal that has some fat in it, which a good fresh food bowl naturally provides.
Raw carrots also give your floof something to crunch on, and that crunching naturally scrapes buildup off the teeth. It is not a replacement for dental care but it is a whole lot better than most processed treats. If you're adding some carrot to your meal, save a little and serve appropriately sized carrot to your furry guy's bowl. If they snub their nose a little, try shredding the carrots into their bowl.Swap a small portion of the bowl and let your floof enjoy the crunch.
🫙 Plain Pumpkin Puree (not pie filling, just plain pumpkin)
Pumpkin is one of the best things you can add to the bowl when your dog's digestion is off. It contains two types of fiber that work together. One type slows things down if there is too much going on. The other type adds bulk if things are moving too slowly. It works in both directions, which is why it is one of the first things I reach for when a furry guy comes into the shop with an unhappy tummy.
Pumpkin also feeds the good bacteria living in your dog's gut. Healthy gut bacteria means better digestion, better immune function, and a happier floof overall. Organic pumpkin is best and what we recommend because pumpkins are 'bioaccumulators', their roots are incredibly efficient at absorbing chemicals and heavy metals from the soil. Since those toxins can end up in the flesh of the fruit, choosing organic ensures your dog isn't ingesting the pesticides used in conventional farming.
One tablespoon stirred in with a small swap of their regular food is all you need.
🥬 Dark Leafy Greens (spinach, kale, parsley)
Dark leafy greens are packed with vitamins and natural compounds that help the body detoxify. One of those is chlorophyll, which helps the body process waste more efficiently. These greens also contain Vitamins K and E, supporting bone health, blood health, and cell repair.
If you’ve ever wondered why your dog eats grass, the answer might be chlorophyll! Instinctively, our pets often know what they’re lacking, and "grazing" in the backyard can be their way of seeking those specific benefits.
Serving Tips
To make sure your floof can actually absorb those nutrients, try lightly steaming the greens (especially spinach) and letting them cool before adding them to the bowl. This breaks down the tough plant fibers, making them much easier on the stomach and the nutrients easier to absorb. Start by stirring a tablespoon into their regular meal.
Pro Tip: If your furry family member has been a little "ripe" lately, fresh parsley is a natural, effective breath freshener that actually works!
⚠️ A Quick Safety Note: While dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and parsley are fantastic, always steer clear of the "allium" family, onions, leeks and chives. These are toxic to dogs and should never be added to the bowl.
None of this requires a special shopping trip. Most of it is already sitting in your kitchen right now. Real food. Whole food. Food that a body was actually built to use. Food we've been told is "human food", but it's not! It's just food! Many pet parents wear it like a badge of honour when they say "we never feed table scraps", but we're telling you "feed the table scraps" just make sure they're the good scraps, not garbage that you would throw out like the grisilly fat you cut off your cooked steak or the left over peal of your baked potato. Offer the fresh whole foods you eat yourself to instantly improve your pet's bowl!
You do not have to be perfect. You just have to start. One small swap at a time.
We are always happy to help.
If you are feeling stuck and not sure where to start, come see us at the shop. We will look at what is in the bowl right now and help you find the right next step for your specific floof.
P.S. If this helped you, forward it to another pet parent who has been asking questions. You might just change their floof's life. 🩵