If you’re studying for an exam or prepping for a big presentation at work, you may have reached for some “brain food” to keep you sharp and focusing on the task at hand. The foods you reach for might include spinach, almonds, broccoli, salmon, and even coffee. But what about your dog? While your dog may not be in school or working, it is important to keep their brains sharp too. We look at some foods that can help keep your dog’s brain sharp and healthy.
Some of the foods (or ingredients) that help keep your pup’s brain functioning optimally include:
Fish (and fish oil)
What can’t fish oil do? Its great for fighting inflammation, and can help with arthritis pain and heart disease, but its also great for your pup’s brain! It is a great source of DHA, which the American Kennel Club says is important for healthy brain development in puppies. “DHA is particularly important during early development, partly because the mammalian brain is developing so quickly during this time. Puppies acquire 70 percent of their adult brain mass by 6 weeks of age and 90 percent by 12 weeks. But puppies are limited in the amount of DHA they can produce themselves, so they must obtain it from their mother (prenatally and when nursing) and from food once they are eating on their own. Common dietary DHA sources include fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna, as well as eggs and chicken….
