What is inflammation?
Talking about inflammation in dogs can be a little confusing. To make things easier, let’s start with the basics before we move on to anti-inflammatory foods for dogs.
Inflammation is a natural response that arises as a reaction to a variety of stimuli. As a defence mechanism, the purpose of inflammation is to protect your pup’s body and help it heal. It occurs when your pet’s immune system detects something it believes to be invasive or harmful in some way. This might be an injury or another kind of physical stress, a virus or similar pathogen, or an allergen. You could even find yourself searching for anti-inflammatory foods for dogs because of an emotional trigger. For example, your pooch may get stress-related inflammation due to a house move, separation anxiety, or the arrival of a new pet.
Just as inflammation has a wide range of causes, it can affect pretty much any part of your pup’s body. Often, you (and they!) won’t be aware of it happening. Other times, you might notice symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function. For instance, if your canine companion hurts their paw, their immune system sends in an army of white blood cells. These super soldiers help to heal the tissues and fight off any damaging substances that may be present. After a few days, the inflammation and associated symptoms subside, and your pooch is back to full health.
This all sounds pretty positive, right? So why would you want to feed your pet anti-inflammatory foods for dogs if inflammation helps them heal? Well, there’s another side to the story that isn’t quite so rosy.
Why is inflammation bad for pups?
Experts divide inflammation (in both animals and humans) into two main types: acute and chronic. Acute is the kind of inflammation that occurs in the example discussed above where your pet hurts their paw. It can be severe, but it’s short-term and generally doesn’t require any treatment. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is slower, less severe, and more long-term. This is the sort that might need intervention in the form of veterinary treatment and anti-inflammatory foods for dogs. It can cause several health problems, including raising the risk of harmful conditions like heart disease, obesity, and cancer.
There are also a number of diseases which are essentially different forms of chronic inflammation. For instance, arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints, while dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. Lots of gastrointestinal issues are the result of inflammation too. All of which means that you may need anti-inflammatory foods for dogs because of other symptoms besides those mentioned above. You might notice that your pup is itchy, has tummy troubles, loses their appetite or has less energy. They could even suffer from breathing problems or difficulties walking.
As you can see, chronic inflammation is something we want to avoid in our furry friends. It’s also worth noting that the symptoms it causes may arise as a result of other conditions too. Because of this, we recommend you take your pet to the vet if you notice any such issues. They will be able to examine your pup and determine if inflammation is to blame. If it is, you might like to add some of the following anti-inflammatory foods for dogs to their diet.
The best anti-inflammatory foods for dogs
The good news is that there are plenty of delicious, natural anti-inflammatory foods for dogs that you can choose from. We’ve listed seven of the most effective options below. They are all safe for canine consumption, and easy to add to your pet’s diet.
We suggest trying a few different ingredients to find out which your pup likes the best. However, it’s sensible to check with your vet before feeding your pooch any new ingredients – especially functional ones. They can advise if these anti-inflammatory foods for dogs are suitable for your pup’s individual needs. This is key if your pet is on medication or has an existing health condition, because you want to avoid the risk of unwanted interactions. On a similar note, these foods are for fully grown animals only!
Besides being an effective part of an anti-inflammatory diet for dogs, each food offers a selection of other benefits. This enables you to choose the ones you feel are most appropriate for your beloved pet. So, in no particular order, here are seven of the best anti-inflammatory foods for dogs.
1. Cruciferous vegetables
Ok, technically this is more than one ingredient! But cruciferous vegetables are among the best natural anti-inflammatory foods for dogs, and it’s logical to group them together. For example, broccoli is rich in compounds such as sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol, and glucosinolates, which help to reduce inflammation.(1) The fact that the vegetable is high in fibre and antioxidants further boosts its anti-inflammatory powers.
Cauliflower is another great cruciferous vegetable to include in an anti-inflammatory diet for dogs. Like broccoli, it’s bursting with antioxidants, fibre, sulforaphane, and minerals that lessen inflammation. You can feed your pup broccoli and cauliflower either raw or cooked, as long as you don’t season them. That’s because ingredients like garlic and onions are toxic to pooches. It’s also a good idea to cut the vegetables into bite-sized chunks to avoid the risk of choking. For the same reason, we recommend supervising your pet as they chow down!
2. Turmeric
Given its reputation, it’s no surprise to see turmeric on the list of the best anti-inflammatory foods for dogs! This popular golden spice is jam-packed with bioactive compounds that have some seriously impressive medicinal properties. The most notable of these are curcuminoids, and in particular, a phytonutrient called curcumin.
Research has discovered that curcumin acts as a potent anti-inflammatory in both humans and animals. Studies show it can help ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs, reducing pain and inflammation and improving mobility.(2) It could additionally decrease inflammation in pups with conditions like periodontitis.(3)
To add turmeric to your pooch’s diet, simply mix a little into their normal wet food. Some dog foods already contain the ingredient, but usually in doses too small to have much benefit. Most experts suggest using ⅛ of a teaspoon per 5kg of your pup’s body weight to see an effect. So, why not give it a try and discover why turmeric is one of the top anti-inflammatory foods for dogs?
3. Medicinal mushrooms
That’s right, we’re grouping some of the best anti-inflammatory foods for dogs again! This time, it’s medicinal mushrooms. We decided to discuss them all together because many species are able to help lower inflammation. One reason for this is that they contain a type of fibre called beta-glucan. This offers a wealth of health benefits, including the potential to reduce inflammation.(4)
In addition, these fabulous fungi have other compounds that also possess anti-inflammatory properties. For example, studies suggest that lion’s mane can suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and lessen adipose tissue inflammation.(5) Similarly, evidence indicates that the polysaccharopeptides in turkey tail mushrooms could inhibit inflammation too. This fungus is a prebiotic, nourishing the good bacteria in your pup’s gut and lessening inflammation in the digestive system. Reishi, chaga, shiitake, and maitake may all have similar effects, making these fungi powerful anti-inflammatory foods for dogs.
It's worth noting that each species of mushroom has other potential benefits for canine wellbeing. For instance, lion’s mane supports cognitive health, while reishi enhances sleep quality. These extra advantages might help you decide which of these anti-inflammatory foods for dogs to opt for!
4. Chia seed oil
No discussion of the best anti-inflammatory foods for dogs would be complete without mentioning omega-3 fatty acids. These can make a key contribution towards reducing inflammation and supporting the health of your pup’s joints.(6) And chia seed oil is a rich source of alpha-linoleic acid, the plant-based version of omega-3. To help keep your pet’s coat shiny and their joints mobile, simply drizzle some of it into their wet food. We suggest about ¼ of a teaspoon per 5kg of their body weight a day.
Chia seed oil may also reduce itchiness, dryness, and inflammation of the skin, plus support heart health. That’s why we have a lot of love for this ingredient as part of an effective anti-inflammatory diet for dogs!
5. Milk thistle oil
Another oil that makes our list of the best natural anti-inflammatory foods for dogs is milk thistle oil. It contains a group of active ingredients collectively called silymarin, which have the potential to lessen inflammation. Studies on mice have found that milk thistle can improve inflammatory skin conditions and reduce inflammation caused by asthma.(7)(8) The plant’s anti-inflammatory properties are also one of the reasons why it helps protect liver health in pups.(9)
As a bonus, milk thistle oil is additionally rich in vitamin E. Research shows that adding this nutrient to your pet’s diet can further tackle inflammation. However, more investigation is necessary to clarify exactly how much vitamin E benefits pooches with conditions like osteoarthritis. As with chia seed oil, add ¼ of a teaspoon per 5kg of your dog’s body weight to wet food.
6. Ashwagandha
Including ashwagandha creates an anti-inflammatory diet dogs who are anxious will really benefit from. This herb is perhaps best known for its ability to ease symptoms of stress and anxiety in humans and pups.(10) However, this is only one aspect of what the plant can do for your pet. Ashwagandha also has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Studies on human participants with joint conditions show that the herb reduces pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the affected area.(11)
Like all these anti-inflammatory foods for dogs, adding ashwagandha to your pet’s diet is super easy. Just mix ⅛-¼ of a teaspoon per 10kg of their body weight into their normal wet food. You can do this in one meal or split it into two doses. The latter might be a useful method if you have a fussy eater at home!
7. Ginger
Last but not least on our list of natural anti-inflammatory foods for dogs is ginger. This is probably an ingredient you’re already familiar with! It belongs to the same family as turmeric, so it’s not surprising that the spice is effective in tackling inflammation. Many of ginger’s health benefits are thanks to the compound gingerol, which acts as both an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant.
Numerous studies on both humans and animals have revealed that ginger alleviates the symptoms of several chronic inflammatory diseases.(12) These include arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. There’s even a chance it could inhibit inflammation in the brain, helping to prevent cognitive decline. However, further investigation is necessary to clarify this.
You can give your pup small amounts of raw ginger with the skin cut off. Simply mix little pieces of the root into their normal wet food. Alternatively, sprinkle a pinch of ginger powder into their meals. Just bear in mind that too much ginger may upset your pet’s stomach. As with all these anti-inflammatory foods for dogs, moderation is key!
Anti-inflammatory foods for dogs: the importance of quality
To get the best results from any anti-inflammatory foods for dogs, it’s vital to choose high-quality ingredients. Here are a few top tips on how to pick the finest products:
- Go for organic anti-inflammatory foods for dogs. That way, you know the producers didn’t use any nasty chemicals when cultivating the plants.
- Ensure that you buy anti-inflammatory foods for dogs that have no unwanted filler ingredients. That might be artificial colourings, flavourings, preservatives or bulking agents. Pure products are likely to be more effective.
- Always give your pet anti-inflammatory foods for dogs, not humans. So, for example, don’t feed your pup the same medicinal mushroom powders you take. Find ones specifically created for our furry friends.
- Never forget that anti-inflammatory foods for dogs are not a substitute for professional veterinary care and treatment. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, book them an appointment.
