Fall Foods That Can Help Your Pet

Beneficial Fall Foods for Your Cat and Dog

Fall is a wonderful time of year filled with comforting things like scarves, sweaters, apple cider, pumpkins, and Thanksgiving. Surprisingly, many of the things that bring us joy during the fall season are also beneficial to our pets. Read on to learn about several beneficial fall foods that can help your cat and dog. Give these food items as treats or supplements and learn more about the potential health benefits to your pet. The best part is that these fall foods that can help your pet are available year-round!

*Here at Pennies, Places, and Paws, we encourage open and frequent communication with your veterinarian so you can make knowledgeable decisions on what is best for your pets. I am not a vet, and this information should not be taken as medical advice. Please check with your veterinarian if your dog appears sick or injured and do not attempt to treat them on your own as this may do more harm than good.*

Important Things to Know:

1. BEFORE you start your pet on any type of supplement, you should always discuss it with your vet first and do not try to treat your pet with any of these items on your own.
2. Be aware that some fruits, vegetables, and herbs can adversely affect other medications that your pet might be on, so make sure to double-check this information with a professional.
3. Each food item has different recommended amounts and preferred ways of delivery to achieve the maximum benefits depending on the size and type of pet.

With that being said, here is a list of fall seasonal foods and herbs and the possible benefits they can provide.

Healthy Foods for Your Pet

Typically, you want to avoid feeding your dog table food, but some fall foods can make a healthy treat. Try incorporating these items or supplements into your dog or cat’s diet for added health benefits. You can use them as standalone treats or use them in homemade treat recipes.

Pumpkin 

Pumpkin is everything fall! Carved pumpkins, pumpkin pie, decorations, pumpkin spice flavoring, pumpkin is everywhere this time of year. This fall fruit is a great go-to supplement whenever there are digestive issues. It can help with constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and upset stomachs for both cats and dogs. Pumpkin is a good source of soluble fiber that does not tend to irritate the GI tract. The important thing is to make sure you feed your dogs and cats real 100% pumpkin with no added sugar. Regular canned pumpkin is best.

For more information about pumpkin, you can visit the VCA Hospital Website or go to the 1-800 Pet Meds Website

Cranberries 

Cranberries are always on the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas and one of my favorite dishes around the holidays. Cranberry supplements can be used to combat UTIs, crystals, and bladder stones in dogs and cats. (We have had success in our female dogs that have had UTI issues) I know plenty of humans that take cranberry supplements to ward off urinary tract issues as well. Cranberries are very tart in flavor and many animals will not eat them plain but you can find them in cat and dog treats. Be careful, as they should only be given in small amounts.

For more information regarding cranberries, check out: Benefits of cranberries for animals

Carrots 

Carrots are another popular side often found around the holidays. Sometimes they are boiled, roasted, or even candied if you’re lucky! Carrots provide an easy way to increase fiber intake and are also a good source of vitamin A which is beneficial to vision and eye health for dogs, cats, and humans. For a bonus, carrots can be good for your dogs’ teeth and you can freeze them to make them more like a bone-type treat. Be careful though, because depending on the size of the carrot piece, it could become a choking hazard.

For information regarding dogs check out: Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can’t Eat or Pet Meds Website (dogs)

If you want information specifically for cats check out: 6 Best Vegetables for Cats or Pet Med Website (cats)

Healthy Herbs for Your Pet

Several popular herbs are commonly used to enhance the flavor of our fall-time meals. Some herbs can be toxic to our furry friends so be mindful of what you are giving them. The following herbs are considered safe and may even have some added health benefits.

Ginger

Limited studies have shown that ginger may be useful as an anti-nausea or anti-vomiting agent. It may also be helpful as an anti-inflammatory and increase cognitive functions. You can also use it to help prevent motion sickness. Ginger is more commonly found in dog treats rather than cat treats if you are looking for it in pet stores or you can administer it in almost any form. It is best to give it with food.

See the VCA Hospital Website for more information

Rosemary and Basil

Rosemary and Basil are both considered nontoxic to dogs and cats. Rosemary potentially can be useful as an anti-inflammatory or an antioxidant. Basil has known antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. These are great herbs to use in homemade treats or to use as scent enrichment in some of the DIY Dog Enrichment Ideas (many of these enrichment ideas also work for cats).

You can look at this website: Rosemary: A Beneficial Herb?, Can Dogs Eat Basil, or the Pet Med Website for further information.

Things to Remember:  

1. Always check with your vet to make sure these foods will not interfere with any medications that they are on or exacerbate any issues they may already be having. 
2. Be careful how much they get (too much of anything can cause issues), and that they are getting it the proper way. 
3. Some of these foods may best be given as supplements for full benefits, or they may need to be cooked to help the nutrients absorb properly. 
4. Present the vegetables in a way so that they will not be a choking hazard. 
5. Beware of any claims that certain foods or supplements can cure or completely prevent ailments. 
6. Research in natural medicine with animals is lacking and many times long-term effects have not been discovered yet.

Before You Go

Hopefully, you have found some new healthy fall foods that you can use as a part of different pet enrichment ideas like homemade treats or to assist in the overall wellbeing of your pet. If you find a treat recipe that your dog or cat loves, please feel free to share it in the comments!  

Pin It For Later