A healthy life for our four-legged friends means not only regular exercise and love, but also a balanced diet. In addition to high-quality meat and important nutrients, different types of fruit and vegetables also play an important role in a dog’s diet. In this article, we present five types of fruit and vegetables that are not only delicious, but also rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Pears: vitamin bombs for dogs

Pears are an excellent source of vitamins and also contain important minerals such as potassium. They are also rich in fibre, which can aid your dog’s digestion. They are also a good source of energy. However, make sure to feed pears in moderation and remove the seeds, as these can be harmful to dogs.

Apples: crunchy and healthy

Apples are not only a crunchy snack for in between meals, but also a healthy one. They contain vitamins such as vitamin A and C as well as fibre and are low in protein and fat, making them an ideal snack for overweight dogs. Again, the seeds should be removed as they can contain cyanide.

Parsnips: The root for well-being

Parsnips are an often underestimated vegetable, but they offer many health benefits for dogs. They are rich in fibre and contain important vitamins such as folic acid as well as minerals such as potassium and magnesium. Parsnips can be fed raw or cooked and support your dog’s digestion and heart health.

Mandarins: vitamins for a strong immune system

Mandarins are not only delicious, but also an excellent source of vitamins that can strengthen your dog’s immune system. They also contain antioxidants and are low in calories. It is important to feed mandarins in small quantities, as they contain fruit acids that are not ideal in larger quantities.

Beetroot: a colourful source of nutrients

Beetroot is a true superfood that is rich in vitamins (A, B and C), minerals (such as potassium, magnesium and iron) and antioxidants. It promotes blood health and can improve coat and skin health when fed regularly. However, due to the high oxalate content, beetroot should only be fed in moderation.

Cucumbers: refreshing snack with few calories

Cucumbers are an ideal snack for dogs, especially on hot days. They consist mainly of water, which makes them a great way to increase your dog’s fluid intake. They also contain important nutrients such as vitamin K and C and are very low in calories. Cucumbers can help manage your dog’s weight while promoting hydration.

Broccoli: Powerful in vitamins and minerals

Broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrients and offers a variety of health benefits. It is rich in vitamins (A and K), minerals such as calcium and iron and fibre. Broccoli supports the immune system and can help prevent cancer. However, broccoli should only be fed in small quantities as it contains isothiocyanates, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems if consumed in excess. When cooked, it is easier to digest and safer for dogs.

Carrots: Versatile source of vitamins

Carrots are an excellent snack for dogs, rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. They not only support eye health, but also contribute to a healthy coat and strong skin. Carrots are also good for oral health, as chewing on carrots can massage the gums. Whether raw or cooked, carrots are a healthy and tasty addition to a dog’s diet.

Many types of fruit and vegetables are a valuable addition to the diet of dogs, only around 70% of which are carnivores, and they contribute to their health and well-being. However, it is important to consider individual tolerance and the right amount.

We are delighted to have Julia Welz, owner of Tier Agil Orthopädie- & Rehatechnik für Tiere from Sunder, as a guest contributor. Enjoy reading!

My name is Julia Welz, I am a graduate engineer and master craftswoman for orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology. After an apprenticeship as an orthopaedic and rehabilitation technician, I completed my A-levels and then went on to study orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology at the TH Giessen. During my studies, I took my master craftsman’s examination at the Federal College for Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Technology in Dortmund.

Even as a child, I wanted to learn exactly this profession and have never regretted it. Because it’s nice to be able to help people with physical problems so that they can cope better with their everyday lives again.

For this reason, I wanted to make it my mission to help animals with physical problems and thus make their everyday lives easier and alleviate pain.

Since rescue dog work is physically and mentally demanding work for people and dogs, I support my dogs with the products from DOG FIT by PreThis^®. Because of the exertion during training or competition, not all nutrients are always adequately covered by normal food.

Of course, they also receive appropriate physiotherapy as well as strength and conditioning training.

I also support my older dog, who is 13 years old, to cushion the minor “signs of age” and to keep her as muscular and cognitively fit as possible.

A passionate dog owner

I own 2 Giant Schnauzers myself and do dog sports with both of them (agility and eventing for working dogs as well as rescue dog work).

Both are nationally tested in area search and rubble search, Xara also has the International Mission Readiness Test (MRT) with the IRO (International Rescue Dog Organisation), where I am also active as a trainer and have successfully participated in the World Championship for Rescue Dogs several times. The best results were 10th place with Hexe and 2nd place with Xara in the area search.

Back to my profession…

Why orthopaedic and rehabilitation aids for animals?
Humans have been able to be fitted with supports, prostheses, orthoses and wheelchairs for a long time. Since 2013, I have been offering a wide range of orthopaedic aids for animals.

I manufacture the aids for each animal individually according to measurements and plaster casts, just as I do for humans. Because every animal is just as individual and special as we are.

The aim of my work is to maintain, promote and restore the health and quality of life of your animal with the orthopaedic and rehabilitation aids I make.

Because of the abundance of different clinical pictures and injuries, a personal consultation and presentation of your animal is essential. A made-to-measure product hardly ever fits and often causes more problems than it helps. Collaboration with your vet and animal physiotherapist is also recommended to achieve the best possible results for your pet’s therapy.

For this reason, the three pillars of successful treatment for me personally are always:

• Customised for the individual animal
• Consultation with the vet and/or physiotherapist
• Personal on-site consultation and fitting of the aids

To Tier Agil: https://www.tieragil.de

In a small village, hidden between snowy hills and dense forests, lived a dog named Eric. Eric was no ordinary dog; he was a brave, loving golden retriever with a heart as big as the shimmering snowflakes that fell gently to earth.

The village was preparing for Christmas, the most festive days of the year. Fairy lights adorned the streets and the smell of freshly baked biscuits filled the air. But something was different this year. A deep sadness had settled over the village because the Christmas market, the centrepiece of the festivities, had been destroyed by a strong storm.

Eric sensed the dejection of the villagers. He knew he had to do something to save Christmas. With his faithful gaze and wagging tail, he set off to find help.

Deep in the forest, he came across a group of woodland animals – squirrels, rabbits and even a wise old fox. Eric told them about the village’s plight. The animals, touched by Eric’s warmth and the spirit of Christmas, decided to help.

Together they collected pine cones and twigs to decorate the village square. The squirrels skilfully climbed into the trees to get the most beautiful branches, while the rabbits collected soft cushions of moss as decoration. The fox, with his experience, led the team.

When they had finished their work, the village square was transformed. It was as if nature itself had transformed the village into a Christmas wonderland. The villagers came out of their homes, drawn by the beauty and magic that Eric and his friends had created.

That night, the village square shone brighter than ever before. The stars twinkled in the sky as if they were celebrating the work of Eric and his friends. The villagers gathered together, singing Christmas carols and sharing biscuits and hot cocoa.

Eric sat amongst the people, surrounded by laughter and joy. He knew that this year he had received the best gift of all – the gratitude and love of his human pack.

As night fell and the lights of the Christmas tree glistened in the quiet snow, Eric knew that this Christmas would remain forever in the hearts of the villagers – a celebration of hope, cohesion and love, led by a dog with a big heart.

With this in mind, we wish you all a Merry Christmas with your loved ones.
Your team from DOG FIT

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Christmas is a time of togetherness, joy and enjoyment. While we humans enjoy festive treats, our four-legged friends shouldn’t be left out either. What could be better than serving dog cookies to our loyal companions this Christmas? In this article we present three delicious, healthy and, above all, grain and sugar-free recipes that are guaranteed to make your dog’s mouth water.

Recipe 1: Apple Cinnamon Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 apple
• 2 cups coconut flour
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Water as needed

Preparation:

1. Peel, core and finely grate the apple.
2. In a bowl, mix the grated apple, coconut flour, egg and cinnamon.
3. Add water as needed until the dough has a kneadable consistency.
4. Roll out the dough and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter.
5. Bake at 180°C for about 25 minutes until the cookies are lightly browned.

Recipe 2: Pumpkin and cottage cheese thalers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pureed pumpkin (unsweetened)
• 2 cups coconut flour
• ½ cup cottage cheese
• 1 egg

Preparation:

1. Mix the pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, coconut flour and egg in a bowl to form a dough.
2. Form small thalers and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
3. Bake at 180°C for about 30 minutes until firm and slightly golden brown.

Recipe 3: Liver sausage hearts

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coconut flour
• ½ cup liver sausage (without spices and additives)
• 1 egg
• Water as needed

Preparation:

1. Mix the liver sausage, coconut flour and egg well in a bowl.
2. Add water as needed to create a pliable dough.
3. Roll out the dough and cut out cookies with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
4. Bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes.

With these three simple and healthy recipes you can treat your dog to dog cookies for Christmas. Each of these recipes is not only delicious, but also grain and sugar free, making them a healthy option for your four-legged friend.

We wish you and your faithful companion a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas time. May these homemade treats make the holidays just as special for your dog as they are for us humans. Merry Christmas!

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