Seasonal fall flavors have taken over our favorite coffee shops and grocery stores but our dogs will never be able to taste a Pumpkin Spice Latte for themselves. With a little dog nutrition knowledge, you can safely share the flavors of Fall with your pup. Celebrate the season and power up your dog’s nutrition with a fall superfood roundup from our friends at Jinx, a premium dog nutrition brand.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a nutritional powerhouse and a digestive aid for dogs. The popular squash is low in calories and high in fiber to promote a strong digestive system. Pumpkin is a good source of carbohydrates for instant energy.
The vitamins and minerals in the orange fruit (pumpkin is not technically a vegetable) provide great benefits for your pup as well. Pumpkins are rich in carotenoids, vitamin E, iron, and potassium. Carotenoids encourage skin health and eye health, while vitamin E acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps with heart function. Iron encourages the production of hemoglobin, and potassium ensures that muscles and nerves work properly.
Dogs love the taste of this fall favorite, making it especially great for picky eaters. If you want to quickly add pumpkin to your dog’s meal, you can use canned puree, but make sure it's 100% pure. Stay away from pie filling, which is filled with sugar and other unhealthy additives.
Pumpkin is such a nutritional powerhouse that Jinx includes it in every single one of their kibble recipes, year round. Jinx’s tender and savory Salmon & Pumpkin Jerky Treats are another easy way to incorporate a boost of nutrition into your dog’s routine.
Sweet Potato
Did you know you can share this classic thanksgiving veggie with your pup? Sweet potato is a safe, healthy, and natural treat for dogs, offering a range of health benefits and a sweet flavor they’ll love. Sweet potatoes support a healthy digestive system thanks to their high dietary fiber content. They’re also low in fat and contain essential vitamins like B6, C, and A.
To add some extra fiber to your pup’s bowl, you can roast sweet potato chunks in the oven or buy sweet potato puree at the store. As with canned pumpkin, make sure the puree does not contain any other ingredients or additives.
If you’d like to incorporate this epic root veggie into your dog’s diet, try Jinx’s Chicken Sweet Potato & Egg Kibble, our Salmon Brown Rice, Sweet Potato Kibble, or their slow-roasted Chicken & Sweet Potato Tenders.
Apple
An apple a day…keeps the vet away? Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus and are relatively low-calorie. Chewing an apple can also help clean your dog’s teeth, but shouldn’t substitute for actual dental care. Apples are an affordable and tasty snack full of valuable nutrients, making them a great choice as a reward during training, so long as they are served in moderation.
Slicing up an apple for a snack, using them as a low-calorie training treat, or simply throwing a few chunks in your pup’s bowl are all great ways to add them to your dog’s diet. Be sure to remove all seeds and stems before feeding.
Nutrition Tips
These three nutrient-packed fall ingredients just might become your pup’s new favorite treats but be sure to introduce them slowly and in small quantities to prevent any tummy upset. Feel free to reach out to Jinx at support@thinkjinx.com or on the chat function on thinkjinx.com if you have any nutrition questions.
