Carrots

 have been known for years to be beneficial for helping animals to ‘see in the dark’ because they are one of the richest sources of both vitamin A and its antioxidant precursor, beta-carotene, essential for good vision, especially night vision.

Coconut

 oil is rich in healthy saturated fats, namely medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), in particular lauric acid. These fats are metabolised a little differently from other types of saturated fat due to their shorter ‘chain’ length, so they are more readily converted to ketones, which can be used as a direct energy source by the body.

Field peas

 contain a variety of compounds to support health, including vitamins and minerals, protein, insoluble and soluble fibre, resistant starch and antioxidants.

Cranberries

 have extremely high levels of antioxidant activity – double to triple that of most other commonly consumed fruits! Not surprisingly, these berries are a good source of antioxidant vitamins C and E, as well as the essential mineral manganese, necessary for enzyme and energy production. 

Flaxseeds’

 main claim to fame is their abundance of omega 3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which makes up over half the fat of a flaxseed! These fatty acids are important for supporting skin and coat health, kidney health, joint health, moderating inflammatory responses, maintaining cell membrane fluidity as well as memory and cognition. 

Ginger root

 is in the same family as turmeric. Its best-known benefit is as a digestive aid for stomach upsets and nausea. This is due to one of the key bioactive phytonutrients in ginger, ‘gingerol’, which can stimulate saliva and bile production.

Pea protein

 is a plant-based protein, often used to supplement animal protein sources to help balance the amino acid ratio and keep the fat level low. Pea protein is rich in the essential amino acid lysine. “Essential’ means that a dog’s body cannot produce this amino acid, so must obtain it from the diet.

Kale

 is amongst the most nutrient dense foods available, which certainly qualifies it as a ‘superfood’! It is a cruciferous green leafy vegetable, which is bursting with antioxidants, including vitamins A (and its precursor beta-carotene) and C, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye-health and quercetin and kaempferol, which are anti-inflammatory.

Green peas

 are protein-rich legumes, and a good source of many essential nutrients such as vitamins (especially vitamin K), and several minerals, including manganese and phosphorus, making them a good food to support blood and bone health.

Manuka Honey

is made from the nectar of flowers from the medicinal Manuka bush. Manuka honey contains the active compound ‘methylglyoxal’ (MGO), which has anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties to assist in fighting infections. 

Pumpkin

 is a great source of dietary fibre and helps with digestive regularity and the feeling of satiety after eating, to aid in weight management. It is also a good source of vitamins – especially the antioxidant vitamins A (and its precursor, beta carotene), C and E. 

Red lentils

 are protein and fibre-rich legumes. They have a low glycemic index (GI) and are more slowly digested, absorbed and metabolized and cause a lower and slower rise in blood sugar than higher GI foods. 

Rosemary extract

 is distilled from the rosemary plant’s flowers and leaves. It provides highly potent beneficial antioxidant properties. The extract’s capacity to slow or prevent the oxidation of specific molecules means it can help prolong the maintenance of nutritional stability of certain foods.

Sweet potatoes

 are high in dietary fibre, rich in vitamin A, with a good dose of vitamin C, pantothenic acid and B6, as well as several important minerals, including manganese, potassium and copper. They contain a storage protein called sporamin, which helps a damaged plant to heal due to its potent antioxidant effects.

Spinach

 contains large amounts of vitamins K, and A, as well as a good dose of vitamin C and folate. It also supplies the minerals manganese, magnesium, iron, and potassium and, as with many leafy greens, is an excellent source of roughage (fibre), which aids digestive health. 

Turmeric

 possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties, by virtue of a bioactive phytonutrient contained within it called ‘curcumin’. This compound is also reported to have antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-cancer actions.