Must-have ingredients for healthy pet food, nutritious treats and happy pets

Healthy pet food is hard to come by. These days, it seems like buying commercial pet food is more about looking for what’s not in the bag (corn, chicken meal, and other questionable so-called “ingredients”) rather than what is. Cooking up your own homemade pet food with The Original CrockPET Diet is one way to be sure your pet is getting all the nutrients they need, and none of the junk they don’t. We’ve picked five of our favorite pet-friendly ingredients that are not only delicious, but can help your pet fight off diabetes, kidney failure, and even cancer. Bonus tip: they can all be used as your furbaby’s new favorite treat.

Kale

This may seem like an obvious choice, because it is. Kale is the superfood of superfoods. Not only is it high in fiber, which helps boost gut health and aids in digestion, but it is packing heavy in the nutrient department. Calcium, folate, magnesium, iron and antioxidants can all be found in this leafy green; but the superstar here is Vitamin K. Kale is loaded with the stuff, which contributes to bone health and healthy blood clotting. It’s also been shown to protect against certain cancers. Anti-inflammatory Omega-3 also helps your pet fight the progression of kidney disease, arthritis and autoimmune disease.

Choose this in your CrockPET recipe for a homemade, healthy pet food home run. If your dog (or cat) is the eat-anything type, you can even make some delicious kale chips and share a tasty snack with your friend (just leave the extra salt off for him).

Carrots

My mother used to playfully prod her stubborn kids to eat this orange tuber by asking, “Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?” While her end-goal was clean plates and full bellies, her point was actually valid. Carrots are packed with beta-carotene, which helps to maintain healthy skin and stellar eye health. You’ll also find lots of fiber, antioxidants, folate, potassium and iron in these crunchers. Give them to your pup as a treat, to sneak in extra doses of vitamins A ,C, K and B8.

Green Beans

This fiber-rich veggie is the ultimate pup snack. Not only do they bring the heat with Vitamins A, C, K and B6, greenies are also a nice source of protein and calcium. Green beans make a great treat because they’re a gift you can keep on giving. They contain no cholesterol and are very low calorie, so they provide nutrition without the bulk (great for pups watching their waistline). Ditch the milk bones, and toss your pooch a few of these crunchy favorites instead.

Squash

Squash is low calorie and packed with vitamins, making it another ultimate healthy pet food. Think of this fruit  as your Vitamin A and C powerhouse. Squash provides ample amounts of vitamins and nutrients that help boost the immune system and help your pet fight diabetes. It also brings carotenoids and Omega-3 to the table, giving another boost to eye health and anti-inflammation, respectively. This is a perfect choice for your CrockPET Diet recipe, because there are many varieties of squash seasonally available year-round.

Coconut Oil

Research shows that the best diet is one that is low in carbohydrates, but rich in healthy fats, specifically vegetable fats (think coconut, grape seed and olive oils). Diets that are high in “good” fat content can actually lower the risk of obesity and diabetes and boost brain health. Fat, like the kind found in coconut oil, is vital to healthy brain composition. Higher intake of “good” fatty foods can help improve neurological and mental disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and anxiety. For a special treat, mix some coconut oil with a little bit of peanut butter and pop it in the freezer. Your four legged friend will absolutely love this easy way to bring a healthy pet food to treat time.

Take the plunge in to homemade pet food with The Original Crockpet Diet today. You can even start your pet in the right direction by simply sneaking these morsels in at snack time. Your pet may learn to love these foods for the crunch or the flavor, but you can love the fact that each one of them is doing wonders for their health. So whether you are trying to boost kidney health, fight arthritis, or just want to feed your furry friend the best possible diet, offer these healthy pet food choices – with a side of extra belly rubs.