7 power foods that are healthy for your dog (and you too)

If you have a stressed animal, some of these great power foods for dogs may help. However, please make sure that you get rid of parasites first, you make no changes rapidly, your dog doesn’t have a digestive issue and, you, of course, consult your vet BEFORE you make dietary changes so please make sure that in his/her or professional opinion so these foods or any others will not make a negative situation worse or cause an issue you didn’t have. Please remember that no information “Saving Bella” offers is to be considered to be a replacement for your vets care, ever! 1. Sweet Potatoes – Dogs love ‘um and we people ought to eat more of them and dump the white potato! They are packed with antioxidants, vitamin E, and other nutrients such as vitamins A, B6 and C, iron, potassium, copper, beta-carotene, calcium thiamine and iron. Potassium is a key mineral for people and dogs, especially in the hot weather when hydration is a possibility as it helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Potassium maintains heart health function and reduces stress and if you, a human, tend to get muscle cramps in your legs, this mineral may help. Ask your doctor! 2. Beef – A “natural antidepressant”, beef contains B vitamins which regulate stress levels. Beef is especially rich in vitamin B5 which enables anti-stress hormones to be produced in the endocrine system. A word of caution on this for people and for dogs to is this…since both people and dogs are mammals and beef contains growth hormones and antibiotics from another mammal, it’s a good idea to keep that in mind and purchase organic beef. 3. Oily Fish – We’ve been using salmon for Buddy and Bella and they love it. It’s expensive but these days I can’t tolerate the richness of this food so for now I am using what I have stored in the freezer. Omega-3 fatty acids help suppress the production of adrenaline. Too much adrenaline can cause anxiety and even aggression. Examples of oily fish include salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna. 4. Whole Oats/Whole Brown Rice – Again, use caution as some dogs may be allergic to grains. Both are rich in fiber, which slows down digestion rate and yet speeds up the absorption of tryptophan, which is essential for the production of serotonin which, of course, is nature’s own anti-depressant. 6. Almonds – Nuts…hmm, who ever thought to feed them to your dog? Well, it turns out that they are rich in vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium and zinc. And, if you have been paying attention, doctors are recommending them to we humans as well. Also, the magnesium supports healthy nervous system function resulting in increasing those “happy” chemicals in the brain. If separation anxiety is an issue for your dog….or you ;o) try using almond butter instead of peanut butter! 7. Pumpkin Seeds – I love these! I think in my former life I was a hunter and gather! Pumpkin seeds contain vitamin E which is a great vitamin to improve skin health, L-tryptophan and glutamate. Glutamate is required in the production of GABA which is an anti-stress neuro-chemical. Pumpkin seeds also contain selenium and a deficiency of it can lead to increased anxiety, fatigue and even depression. And since people are mammals like dogs, the above is human friendly too. ask your doctor first though because anything we print is not a replacement for vet of physician care.