Sometimes the most unlikely ingredients can have the most health benefits for your pet, and we love to spotlight those healthy ingredients – especially when so many of our Holistic Select recipes are packed full of them! It is so important to pay attention to the ingredients in your pet’s food because there are a lot of pet food brands out there that are lacking in proper nutrition. Today we are focusing on salmon and oatmeal – two ingredients that are beneficial to multiple aspects of your pet’s health.

The Benefits of Salmon

Pet food recipes that include salmon as a source of protein are gaining in popularity and the benefits of salmon are becoming widely known among pet owners for a variety of different reasons. Including salmon to your pet’s diet is beneficial in many different ways –

Improves Brain Health: Salmon is a lean fish that is full of Omega-3 fatty acids, which is wonderful for a long lasting, healthy canine & feline brain. This can be beneficial to developing puppies & kittens as well as older dogs & cats. Nurturing the health of your pet’s brain will lead to a longer, healthier life – that is our ultimate goal for our furry friends, right? Enhances Immune System: Without a healthy immune system, our pets are susceptible to a multitude of disease and illness. Studies have shown that including salmon in your pet’s diet can help to enhance their immune system, ultimately protecting them from acquiring such illnesses.

Reduces Joint Inflammation: The Omega fatty acids found in salmon basically have supernatural powers when it comes to your pet’s health. There are so many benefits to a diet that is high in Omega-3, and salmon is packed full of that fatty acid goodness, which also helps to reduce joint inflammation. Such stiffness, caused by arthritis, is known to respond well to foods high in Omega fatty acids. Maintains Healthy Skin and Coat: Does your pet suffer from skin allergies or irritations? A diet that is rich in salmon can greatly improve your pet’s skin and coat condition, and is often one of the biggest reasons that pet owners make the switch. Those skin irritations can really have a negative effect on your pet’s quality of life, so an easy fix like switching diets is always worth a try.

The Benefits of Oatmeal

I know what you might be thinking – I thought grains were bad for our pets? Well, that isn’t necessarily the case. Every dog has different nutritional needs and a grain free diet may be the right choice for some dogs, but not all of them. Natural, whole grains have always been known to be healthy and nutritious for our pets, and oatmeal is no exception. Why is oatmeal good for your dog?

Great Source of Protein: The protein in oatmeal is an ideal complement to the meat proteins found in all of our foods. It contains almost a complete list of the essential amino acids vital to a complete and balanced diet.

Hypoallergenic Ingredient: Many vets feel that the protein in oatmeal is very hypoallergenic (less likely to cause an allergic reaction) and therefore an ideal nutrient to be included in a diet formulated for pets that suffer from a food sensitivity or allergy.

Contains Natural Antioxidants: There are natural antioxidants in oatmeal that help to protect our pets from the toxins in our environment that are thought to be responsible for some diseases and conditions.

Relieves Digestive Issues: The fiber content found in oatmeal makes it an ingredient that supports optimum bowel function. The soothing properties of oatmeal can help to relieve certain digestive issues and aid in the process of digestion as a whole. Are you considering incorporating salmon and/or oatmeal into your pet’s diet? Holistic Select offers many different recipes that feature both of these ingredients. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and experiment with different recipes that can greatly improve the quality of your pet’s life.