The Benefits of Alfalfa for Dogs
Alfalfa is an herb that is linked to herbal medicine and from the pea family. Many people know about alfalfa because it is used for many different animal diets and can be great for your dogs. Alfalfa is rich in nutrients including; calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins. When supplemented, alfalfa can have some great benefits for your dog.
The Benefits
Kidney Health
Alfalfa is known to be a natural diuretic for dogs. Properties inside alfalfa help the kidneys to balance out urine that may be too acidic. Urine that has high acidity levels can cause pain and irritation to your dog. Any sort of kidney irritation can be relieved by supplementing alfalfa due to its alkalinizing abilities.
Arthritis
Alfalfa is a natural anti-inflammatory that can be very useful for arthritis or joint pain. Many natural vets recommend supplementing alfalfa daily to give your dog long term pain relief in their joints. Senior dogs will see the most benefit from alfalfa. Alfalfa is one of the top-rated natural options to relieve joint pain.
How to Incorporate Alfalfa Into Your Dog's Diet
There are a few ways alfalfa can be supplemented daily into your dog's diet. Keep in mind you should always talk to a vet before supplementing anything for your dog.
- Alfalfa in meal mix
- Sprinkle the herb over your dog's food
- Make an herbal tea
- Powdered alfalfa
The easiest way to incorporate alfalfa into your dog's diet is to feed them a food that contains alfalfa. The Pet Gourmet's dehydrated dog foods contain alfalfa! These are available in wheat-free and grain-free options. Just add a protein and water and your dog will have a well-rounded meal that they will enjoy!
When sprinkling alfalfa over your dog's food, just a pinch is enough. Always err on the side of caution when using supplements. Just a pinch or two is enough to benefit your dog.
You can also add alfalfa to boiling water to make tea. Add about 4 tsp to the boiling water and let sit for 20 minutes. After the tea has cooled down it is safe to give to dogs.