5 Benefits of Optimizing Your Dog’s Health With a Nutrient-Rich Diet

Most pet parents know a nutritious diet is key to keeping their dogs healthy. Nutrients help support healthy immune systems, aid digestion, and provide energy for important chemical processes.

Adding nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens (kale and spinach), berries, pumpkin, tomatoes, and carrots to your dog’s diet can boost immunity and improve vitamin and mineral intake. These foods also provide dietary fiber and cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Improved Immune System

A strong immune system comes from nutrient-dense foods like Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend containing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Immune-boosting nutrients include phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin C, and various B vitamins.

Amino acids are found in protein, a macronutrient necessary for the body’s fundamental processes, including tissue repair and muscle growth. Lean meats, eggs, leafy greens, and berries are all excellent protein sources.

Nori, a type of dried edible seaweed, contains high levels of protein, galactan (a soluble fiber), and the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Add nori to your dog’s meals by sprinkling it on top of his food. It also provides:

• A great source of zinc.
• It is an essential mineral for cell growth and function.
• Wound healing.
• Healthy hair and skin.

Stronger Bones

Dogs are omnivores and need protein from animal sources to build strong muscles, organs, and tissue. They also need dietary fats, which supply energy-dense calories and aid skin and coat health.

Two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential for maintaining good skin and coat and preventing inflammation at the cellular level. Fish oil, seaweed, algae, and flaxseed all contain these fatty acids.

Vitamins and minerals are necessary in small but significant quantities to ensure healthy growth, wound healing, and energy production. Calcium and phosphorus are critical for bone health; vitamin A is essential for vision; selenium is an antioxidant, and vitamin E promotes healthy cell function. Most commercial pet foods are fortified to meet daily vitamin requirements.

Healthy Skin and Coat

A good diet is essential for maintaining healthy skin and coat. Whole prey diets naturally include omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower inflammation, promote skin hydration, and support a healthy, glossy coat.

A whole-food-based approach to nutrition provides high-grade protein and natural fats that are easier for dogs to digest, promoting gut health and facilitating nutrient absorption. This enables your dog to absorb the nutrients they need from their food, which can directly impact skin and coat health.

Add krill oil containing omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA to your dog’s diet. It is rich in antioxidants and astaxanthin, which reduce inflammation and improve overall skin health. Vitamin C is another important nutrient for your pet’s skin and coat, as it speeds up healing and supports collagen production. Fruits like oranges and tangerines, vegetables like sweet potatoes, broccoli, or red peppers, and some plants like rose hips are good sources of vitamin C.

Better Digestion

A nutrient-dense diet prioritizes digestive health with ingredients like high-quality proteins, fiber-rich carbohydrates, and probiotics. This ensures your dog digests food efficiently and supports healthy digestion.

The best nutrient-dense diets contain high-quality protein sources, such as lean muscle meat and fish, or plant-based proteins like legumes (fava beans, chickpeas, lentils). These provide all the essential amino acids your dog needs for various bodily functions.

Nutrient-dense diets also have the right balance of fats. These help supply energy-dense calories and support skin and coat health. They may include healthy fats such as chicken fat or oily fish, and they should exclude unhealthy saturated and trans fats.

Better Energy Levels

Adding fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients will supply your dog with energy. This will also help ensure he receives the vitamins and minerals needed for his overall health.

A raw diet naturally contains complex carbohydrates, a great energy source. These carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and help to fuel the body.

Fats are a crucial nutrient for dogs, providing them with essential fatty acids that the body can’t produce. These fatty acids aid in healthy skin and coats and protect internal organs.

Choline is a nutrient that is important for your dog’s nervous system as well as his cardiovascular and circulatory systems. This nutrient can be found in egg yolks, glandular meats, fish, cereal germs, legumes, and oilseed meals.

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