Immune-boosting Whole Foods For Dogs And Cats

Support your dog or cat’s immune system with whole foods like mushrooms, oats, turmeric, and coconut — plus healthy, easy recipes to try. 

Whole foods help our dogs and cats live longer and healthier lives. They’re rich in essential nutrients, many of which, such as antioxidants, strengthen or support the immune system and help prevent disease. This article focuses on immune-boosting whole foods for dogs and cats, along with a selection of nutritious recipes to help you incorporate them into your best friend’s diet. 

Antioxidants: crucial to immune health 

The antioxidants found in many whole foods are vital to health and longevity. These vitamins, minerals, and enzymes help protect your dog or cat’s cells from free radicals caused by environmental factors such as second-hand smoke, radiation, and pesticides. Free radicals cause cell damage, and play a role in the development of cancer, heart disease, and other ailments.

Studies show that cancer growth occurs when oncogenes, mutated suppressor genes, and carcinogens act together. Special enzymes in herbs and whole foods may help repair cells that damaged by oxidative stress. We can share these herbs and whole foods with our dogs and cats.

Back in 2004, scientists working with the USDA analyzed antioxidant levels in more than 100 foods. They found that plant-based whole foods are the richest source of antioxidants. These foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, herbs, and spices. 

Researchers measured each food’s antioxidant value. Blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries topped the list. Cinnamon, oregano, thyme and turmeric are among the best antioxidant herbs and spices. 

Whole foods that help support immunity 

Here are some whole foods you can add to your dog or cat’s diet to strengthen his immune system and help defend against disease. 

Red meat is a great source of iron, which plays an important role in immune function. It helps regulate cytokine production and action, and important in the differentiation and proliferation of T-cells. Red meat provides enzymes critical for immune cell function, and also supports cell differentiation and growth.

Shiitake mushrooms are a rich source of protein and many nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, and C, plus minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, and selenium. They also offer folate, manganese, niacin, pantothenic acid, potassium, riboflavin, thiamin, zinc, and dietary fiber. Shiitake mushrooms contain more than 50 enzymes, including pepsin, which aids digestion.

Shiitake mushrooms also contain interferon, a protein that appears to induce an immune response against cancer and viral diseases. The bioactive compound (eritadenine) found in these mushrooms helps decrease fat and cholesterol in the blood. Their germanium supports cellular oxygenation and further supports immune response.

Additionally, Shiitake mushrooms contain beta-glucan, a form of natural sugar with powerful immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties. Researchers found that beta-glucan slows tumor growth and reduces the side effects of traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. 

Lentian, technically classified as a polysaccharide but often referred to as a branched beta-glucan, supports the immune system, helping to fight infection. Shiitake mushrooms also contain a high concentration of the antioxidant L-ergothioneine.

In 1985, the Japanese Government approved Shiitake mushroom extract as an anti-cancer agent.

Whole grains are unsung heroes. Researchers at Cornell University showed that whole grains contain at least as many polyphenol antioxidants as fruits and vegetables. Whole grains include the bran, germ, and endosperm. 

Whole brown rice is one of the world’s healthiest foods. It contains inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a powerful antioxidant that activates natural killer cells and helps inhibit cancer.

Studies show IP6 might slow tumor growth and even prevent tumors. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia reported that whole  brown rice helps reduce nerve and blood vessel damage from diabetes.

Oats contain 20 unique polyphenols called avenanthramides, which have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-itching properties. 

Scandinavian researchers found that adding oats to a gluten-free diet increases its vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant levels. Bilirubin, one key antioxidant, helps eliminate free radicals and protects the brain from oxidative damage.

Oats support the gastrointestinal system by helping remove toxins from the body. The American Institute for Cancer Research found that whole grains like oats contain many previously unrecognized phytonutrients with healing and preventive properties. 

Incidentally, oats are also a very good source of selenium, which is a co-factor to the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase.

Parsley improves digestion and is beneficial for kidney and urinary tract ailments. Parsley tea also strengthens teeth, and contains pro-vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, chlorophyll, iron, and magnesium.

Turmeric, or more specifically it’s natural yellow pigment (curcumin) has beneficial effects against a wide range of cancers, according to studies at the University Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. 

Curcumin blocks neurotensin, a brain and gastrointestinal peptide, is related to the production of an inflammatory protein that plays a critical role in the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.

Turmeric supports the liver by promoting bile secretion and flow. It also benefits the cardiovascular system, lungs, and digestive tract, helping with issues like gastritis. Its antiseptic and antibiotic properties make it useful for skin problems, infections, and even some eye disorders.

People have long regarded as a powerful anti-inflammatory for a variety of arthritic conditions. The combined effect of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help provide relief from the pain of arthritis and other joint issues.

Coconut contains medium-chain fats that convert to energy and act as natural anti-inflammatories, helping reduce bacterial growth, irritation, and inflammation.

Coconut flour differs greatly from other wheat alternatives. It’s not only gluten free, but also low in digestible carbohydrates, and high in fiber and protein. Coconut flour contains four times more fiber than oat bran and three times more fiber than ground flaxseed.  

The easiest way to use coconut flour is to replace up to 20% of the flour called for in any recipe with coconut flour and add an equal amount of extra liquid to the recipe. Store your coconut flour in an airtight container.  

Recipes 

Introduce immune-boosting whole foods for dogs and cats with these nutritious recipes. Use organic ingredients wherever possible.

Simple bone broth 

Bone broth makes it easy for your dog or cat to get quick nourishment. It also aids in the healing process when needed. Cartilage and tendons provide instant chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine.  This is a great broth to make and store in the freezer. You can also use bone broths as an excellent base for immune-boosting medicinal mushrooms like Shiitake. This soup contains stem cells too. 

Ingredients

1 to 2 pounds chicken or turkey bones, or 2 large beef marrow bones or other bones containing marrow

1 cup mushrooms (e.g. Shiitake, Turkey Tail, Maitake)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar* or ½ lemon

Filtered water

Handful of fresh parsley 

Instructions 

Place the bones and vinegar in a large soup pot, Crock-Pot or Instant Pot. Cover with filtered water. Bring mixture to a boil, skimming the “particulates” that rise to the top, then turn the heat down to a simmer. 

Add mushrooms and leave the bones to simmer away all day or night. Add the parsley just a few minutes before you move to the next step. Drain the broth from the bones. Discard the bones but keep all the meat and cartilage.  

*Apple cider vinegar releases calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur, and other trace minerals and amino acids from the bones into the broth.

Mushroom Medley 

Ingredients 

1 cup beef strips 

1 cup liver (e.g. beef, chicken, turkey, duck)

1 cup Shiitake mushrooms

1 cup Shiitake tea (see below)

1 cup zucchini

1 piece fresh ginger (1”) or 1 tsp ground ginger

½ teaspoon sea salt

1 cup filtered water or bone broth

1 tablespoon first pressed olive oil or rice bran oil

Instructions 

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then heat down to simmer. Cook gently until there is no pink in the meat. Remove from stove and cool before serving. 

Shiitake Mushroom Tea 

Ingredients 

4 fresh or 2 dried Shiitake mushrooms, broken into small pieces

1 cup filtered water

Instructions 

Place Shiitake pieces and filtered water into a small pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain mushroom bits and cool tea before serving to your dog or cat. One cup of tea equals four doses, which can be added to food or drinking water. Shiitake bits can be added to your animal’s meals too. 

Bars for All

Ingredients

2 cups brown rice flakes

2 cups oat flakes

½ cup steel cut oats

1 teaspoon cinnamon (e.g. Saigon)

2 teaspoons carob powder

¼ cup first pressed/extra virgin olive

2 tablespoon unsulfured blackstrap molasses

4 tablespoons local honey

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1½ cups unsulfured, unsweetened dried fruit (e.g. wild blueberries, cranberries)

¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

2 cups filtered boiling water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, except the boiling water. Then add the boiling water, stirring until all ingredients are well incorporated, and leave for ten minutes.

Spoon mixture onto cookie sheet and press down with the back of a spoon to make scoring easier after baking. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top of the bars are a light golden color. Remove from oven, lightly score, then return to oven to cool completely, before storing in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

For an extra crunchy treat the whole family will love, bake for an extra 20 minutes. You can also serve this recipe as a porridge once the boiling water is absorbed and the grains and dried fruit are soft and plumped up. As another alternative, use 1½ cups of fresh instead of dried fruit and omit ½ cup of the filtered boiling water.

Turmeric Infusion 

This is an easy way to provide a revitalizing tonic for your dog or cat. Simply place 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a strainer in a cup. Fill the cup with freshly boiled, filtered water. Cover the cup with a plate and leave it to infuse (steep) for five to ten minutes. 

One human dose is 500 ml. A quarter of this dose can be used for a cat or small dog; half a dose is recommended for medium to large dogs; and a full dose is suggested for giant breeds. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.  

Berry Bark

Ingredients

1 pound organ meats (e.g. heart, liver)

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon or Saigon cinnamon powder

½ teaspoon turmeric

Instructions

Pureé the organ meats in a food processor or blender. Make sure they are extra smooth. Then add the blueberries, and finally, the cinnamon and turmeric.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spoon the mixture onto it. Place the cookie sheet in a cold oven. Turn oven on to 300°F, on a convection setting if available. When the oven reaches heat, set your timer for 15 minutes. Then, turn the oven down to 175°F, on a convection setting if available, and continue to bake for 45 minutes.

Take a look after 15 minutes. You will notice there is liquid around the edges, but this will evaporate as the bark is drying out.

After 45 minutes, gently remove the bark, which will dry to a leather-like finish, and place on a clean cookie sheet or cutting board. Lightly score, then cool completely before storing in the refrigerator. 

This treat can also be frozen. It makes a perfect training treat or can be served as a meal topper. Stored in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

Coconut Curry Cake with Wild Salmon 

Ingredients

4 cups coconut flour

4 cups filtered water

1/3 cup first pressed/extra virgin olive oil

2 eggs

2 tins of wild salmon (185 g/6.5 oz each)

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon ginger

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F degrees. Lightly grease two cookie sheets with olive oil.  Combine all ingredients in a mixer or blender. Split the mixture between two cookie sheets, and pat down so the dough has a flat surface. Gently score your curry cakes with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. 

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Look for golden edges. Let the cakes cool completely before removing from the cookie sheets — be extra careful, as these cakes are like the finest holiday shortbreads. Use a spatula. Sprinkle with finely minced cranberries, sea salt and kelp, or catnip leaves and flowers, before serving.

These cakes store well in containers and also freeze well. You can easily split the recipe in half and use coconut flour in combination with other flours.

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