8 Foods for Dogs That Reduce Inflammation: Canine Health & Wellness

VET APPROVED

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Karyn Kanowski

BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Inflammation is not always a bad thing. It happens when your dog’s body is trying to heal from an illness or injury. It is a crucial response that is meant to protect the body. But when inflammation becomes chronic and does not seem to go away, it becomes a barrier to healing and results in pain and suffering for your dog.

There are many reasons that your dog may be experiencing chronic inflammation, such as stress, pollutants, or an injury that is not healing due to a lack of rest. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to help reduce your dog’s inflammation when necessary. First and foremost, you should determine why the inflammation is present, if possible. Speak to your vet about this.

You can also include healthy foods in your dog’s diet that are known to help reduce inflammation. Here are some recommended foods that can help.

The 8 Foods for Dogs That Reduce Inflammation

1. Blueberries

These small, juicy berries are filled with minerals and antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and offer your dog comfort. These fruits also happen to be a great source of vitamin C, which helps keep connective tissues healthy. Most dogs love snacking on blueberries. They can be fed as treats, added to meals, or blended into “doggy smoothies.”

2. Papaya

These juicy fruits are packed with antioxidants, and lower in sugar compared with many other fruits, making it a healthier treat for your dog. The seeds can be eaten, but to reduce the risks of choking, the safest thing to do is remove them, before cutting the fruit into bite-sized pieces.

3. Alfalfa

Alfalfa has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain, swelling, and redness associated with inflammation. It also happens to be high in protein, which is a bonus for dogs that are feeling too under the weather to eat their full meals. Not all dogs will be excited by the addition of this leafy green to their menu, so you can try mixing it into their favorite food.

4. Kale

Not only is kale a powerful inflammation fighter, but it also delivers a variety of important nutrients that dogs need for optimal health, no matter their age. Beta-carotene is readily available in kale, which dogs cannot produce themselves but need to produce vitamin A. Also found in kale is calcium, which will help keep your dog’s bones and muscles strong and healthy.

5. Coconut

Coconut is known to reduce inflammation due to the lauric acid that is found in it. Coconut also works to support a healthy immune system and correct skin problems like dryness and itching. You can feed coconut meat to your dog by itself, add it to baked biscuit dog treats, cut it up and add it to their food, or blend it up with water and strain the mixture to create coconut milk as a meal topping. Be aware that coconut oil is almost 100% fat, so it’s not necessarily a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.

6. Fish

Fish is a great source of protein for dogs, and it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which act as a natural anti-inflammatory. Fish can replace other meats and ingredients that your dog might be allergic to, so they get the calories and nutrients that they need. It is important to make sure all bones are removed from fish before serving it to dogs, as these can easily be choked on.

7. Turmeric

Just like for humans, turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory for dogs that can reduce chronic inflammation and keep it from returning. It is commonly found in commercial foods because it is used for coloring, but the amount is usually not enough to produce any health benefits. To ensure that your pooch gets enough turmeric in their diet to reap the rewards, sprinkle some on your dog’s food every day. A ¼ teaspoon is enough for dogs under 10 pounds. Add another ¼ teaspoon for dogs over 10 pounds.

8. Ginger

Ginger can help your dog  with a variety of problems, including inflammation and nausea. It is also sometimes used as an antioxidant. Many dogs do not enjoy the flavor and bite of ginger, so they likely will not eat it fresh. You can try mixing a fresh slice or two with their food. But if that does not work, try sprinkling dried ginger powder on top and mixing it in.

Final Thoughts

There are many different ways we can help alleviate inflammation for our dogs, and now you know which foods you can incorporate into their diet. As always, it’s best to check with your vet before adding something new, just in case they have any conditions or diet restrictions that may limit which of these ingredients they can have. These foods should only be offered in small amounts, particularly the fruit, which is high in sugar.

If your dog suffers from a chronic inflammatory condition like arthritis or inflammatory bowel, or even if they’ve injured themselves or have an acute illness, food-based anti-inflammatories may help support the body, but are rarely enough on their own, so should only be used alongside veterinary treatment.

For dogs without any significant illness or pain, these foods can help boost immune function, healing, and reduce the damage caused by external and internal toxins. Just make sure to speak to a vet to make sure you’re making the right choice for your dog.

• See Also: Can Dogs Eat Eggplant? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Featured Image by: Alejandro rodriguez, Shutterstock