Discover the top 9 foods that support eye health and vision in dogs and cats, plus easy recipes to nourish your best friend’s eyes naturally.
Eye problems in dogs and cats range from cataracts and glaucoma to uveitis and progressive retinal atrophy. Take steps to protect your best friend from these issues by feeding him the best nine foods for eye health in dogs and cats.
Top nine foods to support eye health and vision
1. Blueberries contain two eye-healthy carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin, sometimes called “sunscreen for the eyes.” They also deliver anthocyanins. These eye-nourishing phytonutrients support night vision.
Research suggests that flavonoids — such as the rutin, resveratrol and quercetin found in blueberries — may help prevent retinal atrophy. Blueberries’ selenium and zinc content also support vision. Research shows that eating blueberries may reduce eye fatigue too.
2. Broccoli has well-known anti-cancer benefits, but it’s also one of the best vegetables for eye health. A good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, it’s packed with beta-carotene too. Don’t discard the leaves, because they contain even more beta-carotene than the stems and florets!
Researchers found that broccoli and broccoli sprouts protect the retina from free radical damage. A compound called sulphoraphane, which boosts the body’s defence against free radicals, may cause this result.
3. Carrots come in over 100 varieties, from deep purple and white to brilliant orange. Each is a storehouse of nutrient power. Carrots offer beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, D, E and K, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, copper, and iodine.
The adage that carrots are good for the eyes holds true. They even contain lycopene and lutein, phytonutrients that protect from UVB radiation and free radical damage.
4. Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, cod, haddock and sardines, are rich in Omega-3s. They’re an especially good source of EPA and DHA, which are important to cellular health.
DHA makes up 30% of the fatty acids that comprise the retina. The particularly high levels of Omega-3s in sardines add extra protection to retinal health.
5. Eggs are full of cysteine and sulfur, two components of glutathione. Sulfur-containing compounds protect eyes from cataract formation.
Egg yolks contain lutein. One study found that eating an egg a day raises levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the blood. At the same time, blood serum lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations remained stable.
6. Kale is an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin. The American Optometric Association says these special antioxidants act like “internal sunglasses.” Add beta-carotene to the mix and kale serves as a preferred foil to oxidative stress.
7. Pumpkin is packed with carotenoids like beta-carotene, which help neutralize free radicals. Its lutein and zeaxanthin content generally promote eye health and further protect against retinal degeneration. Pumpkin seeds also carry several benefits. Their Omega-3s, zinc and phytosterols enhance an animal’s immune response.
8. Sweet potatoes are loaded with both beta-carotene. They also contain anthocyanins, which offer strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
9. Tomatoes are a super-food. They are famous for their lycopene, a carotenoid and phytonutrient characteristic of red produce. This powerful antioxidant helps protect against sun damage and retinal degeneration. Cooked tomato contains higher levels of lycopene than the raw fruit.
Use the following recipes to incorporate the best nine foods for eye health in dogs and cats into your companion’s diet. They’ll help keep his eyes healthy and his vision sharp! Try to use organic ingredients wherever possible.
Recipes
Eye Bright Mash
You can prepare this recipe as a raw or cooked meal topper or side dish.
Raw mash
Ingredients
4 to 6 cups brightly colored fruits and vegetables – e.g. kale, broccoli, carrots, spring greens
½ cup filtered water or bone broth
Instructions
Simply whirl all the ingredients in a food processor.
Cooked mash
Ingredients
4 to 6 cups brightly coloured fruits and vegetables
6 cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons first pressed extra virgin/first pressed olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Chop vegetables by hand or use a food processor. Place in a medium-sized saucepan and add olive oil and salt. Turn stove on high until bubbles begin to form, then turn down to simmer, and gently cook for 15 minutes. Cool before serving. Serve with wild Pacific sardines packed in spring water, or other cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, cod, or haddock.
Blissfully Bright Biscuits
Ingredients
1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin pureé or 2 cups fresh pumpkin
1 cup almonds, ground into flour in a food processor*
1 cup Brazil nuts, ground into flour in a food processor*
2 cups whole oat flour
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional: ¼ cup local honey if you want to make the biscuits more sweet than savory
*Almonds and Brazil nuts are gluten-free and rich in vitamin E; they support eye health too.
Instructions
Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Grind almonds and Brazil nuts in a food processor until they form a flour. (In place of nut flour, you can also use hemp or quinoa flour.)
Add remaining ingredients and continue to process until they are thoroughly mixed. Remove dough from the food processor, form a large ball, and place it on the cookie sheet. Take small pieces of dough, form into small balls, and roll in extra oat flour, if needed.
Place balls back on cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork. Put cookie sheet in a cold oven and turn on heat to 325°F, on the convection setting if available. When oven reaches temperature, turn down to 175°F, and leave for 1½ hours.
Turn oven off and allow the biscuits to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
Eye Spy Eggs
Ingredients
½ cup dark leafy greens, shredded
½ cup carrots, finely grated
5 whole eggs
2 tablespoons first pressed extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In oven-to-table cookware, combine all ingredients using a whisk or fork. Bake for 20 minutes or until the center of the loaf sets and the top is golden in color. Cool to room temperature before serving.
The post Best 9 foods for eye health in dogs and cats appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.
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