ardam, formerly CDK9 Raw, gets asked all the time which extras are actually worth adding to a dog's bowl. The term "superfood" gets thrown around a lot in human nutrition, and a handful of these ingredients genuinely have a place in a dog's diet too. Here's our rundown of dog-safe additions that may help support your dog's everyday wellbeing, and how to add them safely.
None of the ingredients below are meant to replace a properly balanced raw meal of muscle meat, bone and organ. Think of them as useful extras that can round out variety and add a bit of interest to your dog's bowl, rather than a diet on their own.
Is sweet potato good for dogs?
Sweet potato is a nutrient-dense carbohydrate that's easy for most dogs to digest. It's rich in dietary fibre, which may help support healthy digestion, along with vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. Cooked and mashed sweet potato, served in small portions, is an easy way to add this to a raw meal without complicating things.
Sweet potato is also a useful option for dogs that need a bit of extra bulk in their meals without adding excess fat, which is part of why it's such a popular addition among raw feeders looking to round out a bowl.
Can dogs eat blueberries?
Yes, and many dogs enjoy them as a low-calorie treat. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and fibre, and their small size and firm texture make them easy to portion out or use as a training reward. A small handful is plenty, they're a supplement to the diet, not a meal replacement.
Frozen blueberries can also make a satisfying warm-weather treat for Sydney dogs during summer, giving your dog something cool and low-calorie to enjoy without disrupting their regular feeding routine.
What is raw green tripe and why do dogs benefit from it?
Green tripe, the untreated stomach lining of grass-fed animals, is one of the most nutrient-dense additions available in raw feeding. Unlike bleached "white" tripe sold for human consumption, green tripe retains natural digestive enzymes, beneficial bacteria and a healthy balance of fatty acids. It has a strong smell, which puts some owners off, but many dogs find it highly palatable, and it's a good way to add variety alongside our Beef, Chicken and Duck ranges.
Is pumpkin good for a dog's digestion?
Pumpkin is a well-known digestive aid in raw and home-prepared diets. Its soluble fibre content may help support regular, well-formed stools, and it's low in calories, making it a useful addition for dogs that need a gentle digestive boost. Plain, cooked, unsweetened pumpkin is the version to use, not spiced pumpkin pie filling.
Should I add leafy greens to my dog's meals?
Dark leafy greens like spinach and kale contain vitamins A, C and K along with a range of minerals. They're best served finely chopped or lightly steamed, since raw leafy greens in large pieces can be harder for dogs to digest and extract nutrients from. A small amount mixed into a meal, rather than a large serving on its own, is the more practical approach.
According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, leafy greens can be a healthy addition to a dog's diet in moderation, provided they're prepared appropriately and introduced gradually alongside a dog's regular meals.
What common mistakes do owners make with superfood extras?
Overdoing the portion is the most frequent mistake. Because these ingredients are seen as healthy, it's easy to add more than intended, which can crowd out the properly balanced muscle meat, bone and organ that should make up the bulk of the meal. Keeping extras genuinely small, more of a garnish than a side dish, avoids this creeping imbalance.
Introducing several new extras at once is another common issue. If you add pumpkin, blueberries and green tripe all in the same week and your dog develops loose stool, it becomes very difficult to identify which addition is responsible. Adding one at a time, a few days apart, makes cause and effect much clearer.
Assuming human superfoods automatically translate to dogs is the last trap worth flagging. Some popular human health foods, like grapes, onions and garlic, are genuinely unsafe for dogs despite their reputation in human nutrition. Sticking to a list of ingredients specifically vetted for dogs avoids this confusion entirely.
How do superfood extras fit into feeding during Sydney's warmer months?
Fresh produce like blueberries and leafy greens can be a genuinely refreshing addition during Sydney's hotter months, and some owners freeze a few blueberries as a cool treat on particularly warm days. As with any raw ingredient, fresh produce spoils faster in the heat, so buy in smaller quantities during summer and keep any prepared extras refrigerated until serving time.
How much of these extras should I actually feed?
These ingredients work best as small additions to an already balanced raw diet, not as replacements for muscle meat, bone and organ. A general guide is to keep fruit and vegetable additions to a modest portion of the overall meal, layered on top of a properly balanced base. Our feeding plan quiz can help you work out appropriate portions for your dog's size and activity level.
Are there any foods on this list to introduce carefully?
As with any new ingredient, introduce one at a time and watch for any digestive reaction over a few days before adding another. This is especially worth doing with green tripe and leafy greens, since they're richer or more fibrous than your dog may be used to. If in doubt, a sample pack is a low-risk way to test how your dog responds to a fuller raw meal before committing to a larger rotation.
Talk to a vet about your dog
Every dog tolerates new foods a little differently, and dogs with existing digestive conditions may need a more cautious approach to these additions. Reviewed by the ardam team. For veterinary advice on your individual dog, contact Dr. Anna Huynh at Greystanes Veterinary Clinic (26 Carnation St, Greystanes NSW 2145, (02) 9609 1500).
What are the best superfoods for dogs?
Sweet potato, blueberries, pumpkin, green tripe and dark leafy greens are all considered valuable additions to a balanced raw diet.
Can dogs eat pumpkin every day?
Small, consistent amounts of plain cooked pumpkin are generally well tolerated, but it should remain a supplement rather than a daily staple on its own.
Is green tripe safe for all dogs?
Most dogs tolerate green tripe well, but introduce it gradually and in smaller amounts at first to check how your dog's digestion responds.
How many blueberries can I give my dog?
A small handful as an occasional treat is plenty. They should not replace a meaningful portion of a balanced meal.
Do leafy greens need to be cooked for dogs?
Lightly steaming or finely chopping leafy greens makes them easier for dogs to digest compared with serving large raw pieces.
Can I feed these superfoods alongside my dog's regular raw meals?
Yes, they work best as small additions to an already balanced diet of muscle meat, bone and organ, not as a replacement for it.
Are these foods suitable for puppies too?
Many are, in smaller portions, though it's worth checking with your vet about specific additions for a growing puppy.
Can I feed my dog several new superfoods at once?
It's better to introduce one at a time, a few days apart, so you can clearly see how your dog responds to each addition.
Are all human superfoods safe for dogs?
No. Some popular human health foods, such as grapes, onions and garlic, are unsafe for dogs, so stick to ingredients specifically vetted for canine diets.
The base of any superfood plan is a nutrient-dense complete raw meal, then you layer toppers on top.
