These days, nutritionists have been placing a huge emphasis on the importance of including essential nutrients such as omega-3 fats in human diets. By now, most health-conscious consumers know that omega-3 fatty acids, which salmon has in abundance, can support a healthy immune system, improve brain function, and reduce joint inflammation in people.
However, not everyone realizes that many of these same benefits apply to dogs and other furry friends. This article will cover not just the importance of including omega-3 fatty acids in a healthy dog diet but also the myriad other health benefits of feeding salmon to fur babies.
Support Brain Health
Salmon oil has been noted as one of the top brain foods for not just people, but also dogs. This begs the question, is salmon skin good for dogs, too?
Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes. As long as the salmon is fully cooked, all of its meat and skin can be fed to dogs to help with developing healthy cognitive functions.
Reduce Inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids are known anti-inflammatory agents, which is good news for dogs of all ages. In older dogs, keeping chronic inflammation at bay can help to reduce problems with arthritis and other joint issues. In puppies and younger adult dogs, reducing inflammation helps to support healthy skin and coats.
Build Muscle
Every pound of salmon contains not just tons of omega-3 fatty acids, but also over 90 grams of protein. As fitness enthusiasts know, protein is the building block for healthy muscle formation, and it’s just as crucial to puppies and active adult dogs as it is to people. Incorporating salmon into dogs’ diets, either as a fresh treat or as an ingredient in processed dog food, can help to ensure they’re getting all the protein required to build and maintain healthy muscles.
Plenty of Vitamins
Salmon truly is a superfood. It’s rich in omega-3s, has lots of protein, and to sweeten the deal, every bite of salmon also offers dogs access to many essential vitamins. They include:
- Vitamin A, which supports healthy eyesight
Vitamin B, which aids in metabolism
Vitamin D, which helps to maintain bone health
Vitamin K, which aids in blood clotting
Since most dogs don’t take multivitamins, they need to get all of these essential nutrients from diet alone. Feeding those furry friends nutrient-dense superfoods as snacks or meal ingredients can help to ensure that dogs in any stage of life get enough of the micronutrients required to support healthy growth and aging.
How to Feed Salmon Safely
Now that pet parents know how beneficial salmon is to dogs’ health, it’s time to discuss how to start safely incorporating this superfood into a fur-baby’s diet. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Salmon should always be deboned to eliminate the risk of choking and gastrointestinal damage
It’s better to buy salmon that is canned in water, not oil
Avoid feeding dogs salmon that was cooked with potentially dangerous seasonings such as onions and garlic
Salmon is very nutrient-rich and dense, so don’t overfeed puppies or adult dogs
Pups and Pet Parents Love Salmon
There’s a reason salmon is so popular in health and wellness circles. Now, research has also shown that dogs can take advantage of many of the same health benefits. Choosing dry or wet foods that contain salmon or purchasing fresh, frozen, or canned fish and feeding it as part of a home-cooked meal or a special treat is a great idea.
