Sometimes, (especially in these difficult COVID-19 times) even the most dedicated fresh food feeder may have to resort to kibble, aka dry dog biscuits. Most major brands of kibble are usually ‘complete and balanced’, giving your dog all they need to survive. However, surviving, isn’t quite the same as thriving!

Here are a few things to bear in mind:

Kibble diets are pro-inflammatory and the link between chronic inflammation and disease is well-established[1]
Heat processing reduces the bio-availability of certain amino acids and destroys some vitamins[2]
High temperature processing also produces carcinogens that dogs absorb (among them, 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4, 5-b]pyridine PhIP). PhIP is associated with several cancers in humans[3]
Dry diets can lead to dehydration over time[4]

 Given this, if we do need to feed kibble, how could we improve the meal, simply and effectively? Well, one way is to add foods known to have anti-inflammatory properties and that help support the immune system.

Huh? What do active and older dogs have in common, you ask? Well, they both have oxidative stress. Exercise-induced oxidative stress contributes to increased muscle fatigue, muscle fibre damage, and eventually leads to immune system impairment.

And, dogs’ ability to counteract oxidative stress diminishes as they age – the brains of aged dogs accumulate oxidative damage to proteins and lipids, which may lead to dysfunction of neuronal cells.

However, research has shown that an antioxidant-rich diet has been shown to significantly improve, or slow the decline of, learning and memory in aged dogs. It can also achieve sustained increases in circulating levels of antioxidants that help limit DNA damage, leading to improved immunological performance.

Phytonutrients are actually bioactive compounds accumulated in different parts of plants, with either defensive or disease protective properties. The Fruit Salad Booster is rich in two of the most common phytonutrient categories: carotenoids and flavonoids.

Carotenoids act as antioxidants, and some can be converted into vitamin A. They support immune system function and health. In the Fruit Salad, both kale and papaya are rich in carotenoids.

Flavonoids are also rich in antioxidant activity. In the Fruit Salad, both apples and blueberries are high in flavonoids. Blueberries are also rich in resveratrol. In fact, blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables.

Not only that, but the Fruit Salad also has supergreens.

Supergreens are packed with a wide array of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes and in particular, chlorophyll and antioxidants. Because of their highly concentrated nutrient profile, supergreens are generally believed to help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

Add a dash of water, mix to a paste or gravy and mix into the meal

Mix it into yoghurt and feed as a treat or as a topper

Mix it with gelatin or agar agar for a jelly-treat

Once per day 
Small dogs:  under 10kg, 1 scoop

Medium dogs: 10kg – 25kg,  2 scoops

Large dogs: 25kg – 40kg+, 3 scoops

There's a scoop in the pack that's 5 grams

For those with small dogs using the 350 gram pack, there will be 70 daily serves

For those with medium dogs there will be 100 daily serves from a 1kg pack

And for those with large dogs, there will be 67 daily serves from a 1kg pack

Papaya powder, blueberry powder, kale powder, apple powder, spirulina powder, wheatgrass powder.

SOURCES:

[1] Anderson, R. C., et al. "Effect of kibble and raw meat diets on peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene expression profile in dogs." The Veterinary Journal 234 (2018): 7-10.

[2] van Rooijen, Charlotte, et al. "The Maillard reaction and pet food processing: effects on nutritive value and pet health." Nutrition research reviews 26.2 (2013): 130-148.

[3] Gu, Dan & Neuman, Zachary & Modiano, Jaime & Turesky, Robert. (2012). Biomonitoring the Cooked Meat Carcinogen 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b ]pyridine in Canine Fur. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 60. 9371-5. 10.1021/jf302969h.