Eating a Rainbow Helps Your Dog Live Longer

All too often dogs live their lives eating the same tin of food, day in and day out. Not only is that repetitive and boring for them but it’s not conducive to living a long and healthy life. Humans are told that eating a rainbow will help us to live a long and healthy life, and the same applies to our canine friends. 

Eating Plant Foods is Good For Your Dog

Dogs should be eating a balanced and nutritious diet to access a full range of health benefits. Always research which foods your dog can eat before trying them on fruits and veggies. All of the colourful foods we list below can be eaten by most dogs but some breeds can have different needs. Any veg given to your dog should be either raw or boiled/steamed and served as is – no added oils, butter or flavourings. Cut everything into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking and feed in moderation, especially if your dog isn’t used to eating fresh veg.

The “secret” behind plant colours are their phytochemicals

These are the natural chemical pigments produced by plants (“phyto” means plant). These biologically active compounds serve a purpose for their plants, for example they may protect it from insects, pathogens and diseases. They’re also responsible for the plant’s colour, flavour and odour.

Phytochemicals Provide Important Health Benefits

Scientists are only just discovering the benefits of the estimated 5,000 plus phytochemicals. So far they’ve discovered the following incredible benefits: 

• Heart health support

• Immune system boost

• Inflammation fighting 

• Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure

• Promotes healthy vision

• Protects against cancer

Different Colours, Different Benefits 

Of course you know that there are different coloured natural foods, but did you know that their benefits are caused by their colour? They fall into five categories based on their phytochemical content: Red, Orange/Yellow, Green, Blue/Purple, and Brown/White. Explore their differences below:

Red Foods – tomatoes, beets, red bell peppers, red apples. 

These red-pigmented plant foods are rich in lycopene and anthocyanins. Known benefits of lycopene, an antioxidant in the carotenoid family, include boosting heart health and fighting certain types of cancers. Anthocyanins, a group of compounds in the flavonoid family, have been found to help prevent heart disease and diabetes, improve eye health, lower the risk of obesity, stop the growth of cancerous cells and protect the nervous system from oxidative damage and neurotoxicity.

Orange/Yellow Foods – oranges, bell peppers, pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots, peaches and melon. 

These brightly coloured foods have high levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin – phytochemicals in the carotenoid family. These compounds are referred to as “pro-vitamin A”, as they can be converted (by dogs and humans) into preformed vitamin A! Vitamin A is an antioxidant with important benefits, including supporting healthy eyes, skin and bones, boosting the immune system and promoting optimal reproductive health.

Green Foods – courgette, cucumber, peas, broccoli, green apple.

These fruits and veggies are known as powerful anti-cancer foods. They are packed with disease-fighting phytochemicals, including carotenoids, isothiocyanates and indoles. The green pigment comes from chlorophyll, one of the most important compounds on the planet. 

Blue/Purple – blackberries, blueberries, eggplant, red cabbage, figs. 

Similar to foods of the red variety, blue and purple plant foods get their pigments from anthocyanins. Anthocyanins possess powerful antioxidant activity, and play an important part in blocking a number of disease pathways. 

Brown/White – parsnips, banana, lentils, beans, chickpeas, cauliflower, mushrooms. 

Less colour, just as full of the good stuff! These brown/white fruits and veggies are rich in anthoxanthin, a flavonoid pigment that may help promote cardiovascular health, decrease inflammation and protect against cancer.

On top of eating natural plant foods your dog should also be getting a healthy dose of protein in their meat-based meals. Choosing the raw food diet for your pet is a great way to combine all of nature’s best ingredients.