When it comes to feeding our pets, many of us rely on complete and balanced dry food diets. While these diets meet essential nutritional requirements, they can benefit from a boost of fresh, whole foods. Research in veterinary nutrition now shows that fresh food can enhance overall health, especially by supporting the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in immunity and wellbeing.
Despite the common advice to avoid adding “human food” to pet diets, offering small portions of healthy fresh foods can be highly beneficial. For example, adding ¼ cup of cooked vegetables to a small dog’s meal or up to 1 cup for a large dog not only introduces valuable antioxidants and phytochemicals but also helps reduce the calorie density of dry food. This can assist in preventing weight gain, one of the most common health problems in pets. As well, diets especially those including antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, have been linked with reduced biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. This can help protect against chronic diseases and support overall vitality, especially in aging dogs.
For example, a 2005 case-control study on Scottish terriers suggested that adding certain vegetables (particularly green leafy and yellow-orange ones) to a dog’s diet could significantly reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer, especially in dogs exposed to lawn chemicals. This highlights how plant-based antioxidants and phytochemicals may play a protective role[i].
Great choices that have been shown to be safe for dogs include cooked sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, butternut squash, leafy greens (spinach, kale), red bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, peas, green beans, cabbage, sweet corn (not the cobs) , celery, parsley or small amounts of fruit such as plums, apple, banana, cantaloupe, papayas, peaches or watermelon. Berries like blueberries , cranberries, cherries (without the pips) strawberries and raspberries whether raw, frozen or defrosted are rich in antioxidants and can be mixed into meals or offered as treats. Small amounts of tofu , tempe, lentils, flaxseed meal, sesame seed meal, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts and black or kidney beans (cooked) or oatmeal have shown benefits in dogs[ii]. As with any diet, variety is key rotate different options as you would for your own family and introduce slowly.
Other nutritious additions include small pieces of cooked egg or leftover yolk, which provide choline, and for cats, chopped wheat grass or cat grass, freeze-dried, raw, or lightly cooked chicken hearts and gizzards offer enrichment and nutritional value. A spoonful of plain Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, or low-lactose cream can also be a treat for some cats. I’ve known cats who will eat pineapple, cantaloupe and even raw mushroom (which is not ideal- cooked is better).
Emerging research shows that greater dietary diversity improves gut microbial diversity, a key factor in health for both humans and animals. While dogs and cats don’t need 40 different plants each week like we might, including a range of pet-safe vegetables, fruits, and seeds in moderation supports a healthier microbiome.
If your pet has a specific health condition, always check with your vet before making changes. And if offering a range of fresh foods isn’t practical, or your pet does not agree with any changes then consider a high-quality supplement. Many contain plant-based antioxidants and phytochemicals that support gut health and overall vitality offering variety and nutritional depth even alongside a balanced dry food diet[iii]. An example is Broadreach Nature Fibiotic Pro which is a fibre source containing blueberries, pumpkin seeds, psyllium, chia seed, nutritional yeast, and other ingredients that immediately adds support for a healthy gut microbiome in cats and dogs. Most of our supplement range are formulated with nutritional and herbal ingredients that boost antioxidants and phytochemicals to help achieve better health.
Another important consideration is omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA from marine sources like fish oil or green-lipped mussel which are powerful nutrients that support brain function, skin and coat health, joint mobility, and help regulate inflammation. While many dry foods include some form of omega-3, these fats are fragile and can degrade over time during processing and storage. As a result, pets often don’t receive optimal levels through dry food alone. Broadreach Nature Omega EFA Advanced Oil is a high-quality omega-3 product that can bridge this gap and significantly benefit overall health, especially in pets with itchy skin, arthritis, or inflammatory conditions. It’s one of the simplest, research-backed ways to enhance a balanced diet and support long-term wellbeing. Its also a great oil to use in home made or commercial fresh food diets.
By adding thoughtfully selected fresh foods and supplements, you can elevate your pet’s nutrition and support a longer, healthier life.
[i] Raghavan M, Knapp DW, Bonney PL, Dawson MH, Glickman LT. Evaluation of the effect of dietary vegetable consumption on reducing risk of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in Scottish Terriers. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005 Jul 1;227(1):94-100.
[ii] Tanprasertsuk J, Tate DE, Shmalberg J. Roles of plant-based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2022 May;106(3):586-613.
[iii] Guo X, Wang Y, Zhu Z, Li L. The Role of Plant Extracts in Enhancing Nutrition and Health for Dogs and Cats: Safety, Benefits, and Applications. Vet Sci. 2024 Sep 12;11(9):426.
Optimising Nutrition for Cats and Dogs: Enhancing Health with Fresh Foods
When it comes to feeding our pets, many of us rely on complete and balanced dry food diets. While these diets meet essential nutritional requirements, they can benefit from a boost of fresh, whole foods. Research in veterinary nutrition now shows that fresh food can enhance overall health, especially by supporting the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in immunity and wellbeing.
Despite the common advice to avoid adding “human food” to pet diets, offering small portions of healthy fresh foods can be highly beneficial. For example, adding ¼ cup of cooked vegetables to a small dog’s meal or up to 1 cup for a large dog not only introduces valuable antioxidants and phytochemicals but also helps reduce the calorie density of dry food. This can assist in preventing weight gain, one of the most common health problems in pets. As well, diets especially those including antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, have been linked with reduced biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. This can help protect against chronic diseases and support overall vitality, especially in aging dogs.
For example, a 2005 case-control study on Scottish terriers suggested that adding certain vegetables (particularly green leafy and yellow-orange ones) to a dog’s diet could significantly reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer, especially in dogs exposed to lawn chemicals. This highlights how plant-based antioxidants and phytochemicals may play a protective role[i].
Great choices that have been shown to be safe for dogs include cooked sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, butternut squash, leafy greens (spinach, kale), red bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, peas, green beans, cabbage, sweet corn (not the cobs) , celery, parsley or small amounts of fruit such as plums, apple, banana, cantaloupe, papayas, peaches or watermelon. Berries like blueberries , cranberries, cherries (without the pips) strawberries and raspberries whether raw, frozen or defrosted are rich in antioxidants and can be mixed into meals or offered as treats. Small amounts of tofu , tempe, lentils, flaxseed meal, sesame seed meal, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts and black or kidney beans (cooked) or oatmeal have shown benefits in dogs[ii]. As with any diet, variety is key rotate different options as you would for your own family and introduce slowly.
Other nutritious additions include small pieces of cooked egg or leftover yolk, which provide choline, and for cats, chopped wheat grass or cat grass, freeze-dried, raw, or lightly cooked chicken hearts and gizzards offer enrichment and nutritional value. A spoonful of plain Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, or low-lactose cream can also be a treat for some cats. I’ve known cats who will eat pineapple, cantaloupe and even raw mushroom (which is not ideal- cooked is better).
Emerging research shows that greater dietary diversity improves gut microbial diversity, a key factor in health for both humans and animals. While dogs and cats don’t need 40 different plants each week like we might, including a range of pet-safe vegetables, fruits, and seeds in moderation supports a healthier microbiome.
If your pet has a specific health condition, always check with your vet before making changes. And if offering a range of fresh foods isn’t practical, or your pet does not agree with any changes then consider a high-quality supplement. Many contain plant-based antioxidants and phytochemicals that support gut health and overall vitality offering variety and nutritional depth even alongside a balanced dry food diet[iii]. An example is Broadreach Nature Fibiotic Pro which is a fibre source containing blueberries, pumpkin seeds, psyllium, chia seed, nutritional yeast, and other ingredients that immediately adds support for a healthy gut microbiome in cats and dogs. Most of our supplement range are formulated with nutritional and herbal ingredients that boost antioxidants and phytochemicals to help achieve better health.
Another important consideration is omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA from marine sources like fish oil or green-lipped mussel which are powerful nutrients that support brain function, skin and coat health, joint mobility, and help regulate inflammation. While many dry foods include some form of omega-3, these fats are fragile and can degrade over time during processing and storage. As a result, pets often don’t receive optimal levels through dry food alone. Broadreach Nature Omega EFA Advanced Oil is a high-quality omega-3 product that can bridge this gap and significantly benefit overall health, especially in pets with itchy skin, arthritis, or inflammatory conditions. It’s one of the simplest, research-backed ways to enhance a balanced diet and support long-term wellbeing. Its also a great oil to use in home made or commercial fresh food diets.
By adding thoughtfully selected fresh foods and supplements, you can elevate your pet’s nutrition and support a longer, healthier life.
[i] Raghavan M, Knapp DW, Bonney PL, Dawson MH, Glickman LT. Evaluation of the effect of dietary vegetable consumption on reducing risk of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in Scottish Terriers. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005 Jul 1;227(1):94-100.
[ii] Tanprasertsuk J, Tate DE, Shmalberg J. Roles of plant-based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2022 May;106(3):586-613.
[iii] Guo X, Wang Y, Zhu Z, Li L. The Role of Plant Extracts in Enhancing Nutrition and Health for Dogs and Cats: Safety, Benefits, and Applications. Vet Sci. 2024 Sep 12;11(9):426.