Brain-boosting meatball treats - happy doggy Wellness wednesday

Use Grass-Fed Beef for the Brain-Boosting Meatballs

The main ingredient in these doggy meatballs is grass-fed ground beef. Why is it important to choose grass-fed beef over grain-fed beef?

Here are three ways grass-fed beef supports your dog's health better:

#1: GRASS-FED BEEF IS HIGH IN CLA

Grass-fed beef contains more CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) than conventional beef. CLA is a fatty acid associated with health benefits for both humans and dogs alike.  Researchers consider CLA to be a promising for promoting increased lipid oxidation,  healthy weight loss, promoting lean muscle mass, immune stimulating and even anti-cancer effects.

CLA occurs naturally in the guts of ruminant or cud-chewing animals like cows, and is also present in fats in the meat of animals, specifically those that are grass-fed. Dogs produce very little CLA in their body themselves, so outside sources are necessary. 

One in vitro study suggests that CLA produces a non-toxic remission of a form of lymphosarcoma of the skin. Here is the abstract the small study on 8 dogs, with 6 of them achieving remission (click here). 

​Although some preliminary research has already been performed on the use of CLA for pets, a great deal of work continues to demonstrate the benefits that it can provide. 

#2: GRASS-FED BEEF IS FULL OF VITAMINS AND ANTIOXIDANTS

Grass-fed beef also contains more vitamins and minerals than grain-fed beef. It also contains several antioxidants, including glutathione.

There are 13 major vitamins and these all take part in many of the chemical reactions required for metabolism. And since most metabolic reactions are just simply one part of a sequence of many reactions, a deficiency of a vitamin can slow any one reaction and have tremendous effects on the dog's body. 

Here’s how some of these vitamins and antioxidants may benefit your dog's health:

• Vitamin A: Is an essential vitamin for dogs and that means it is an integral part of their diet to maintain their optimal health.  Skin, coat, muscles and nerves all require vitamin A.  If a dog is diffident in Vitamin A, you may notice that their skin and coat do not look healthy, their night vision may be poor or you may see that their muscles have deteriorated. Vitamin A is especially important for pregnant females and puppies because growing puppies require it for growth, muscle and neurological development
• Vitamin E: Is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in high concentrations in meats such as liver and fat. This important vitamin plays roles in cell respiration, the formation of cell membranes and in the metabolization of fats. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that provides protection for various hormones from oxidation in the body.  A diffidence of Vitamin E can cause death in skeletal muscles, heart, liver, nerves and testes and may cause cell damage. 
• Glutathione: An antioxidant that participates in a process which cells use to break down toxic, oxygen-rich compounds which will then prevent them from destroying the membranes of health cells, DNA and other cell constituents. It also is involved in the repairing damaged DNA, can bind to carcinogens in the body to aid their removal and plays a role in immune function. 

#3: GRASS-FED BEEF CONTAINS AMPLE IMPORTANT MINERALS

Sodium, potassium, and magnesium are three of seven macro-minerals that are considered to be essential for mammals and all are found in grass-fed meat. Minerals are vital to life and are important components of muscles, tissues and bones. 

They play an important role in regulating and sustaining many different chemical reactions and bodily functions; such as triggering nerve transmission and aiding in nerve impulses , transporting oxygen throughout the body, promoting immune cell responses and some minerals act as antioxidants in the body preventing damage of free radicals. 

Work These Easy Brain-Boosting Meatballs Into Your Dog's Diet

I know it can feel a bit over whelming to make your own dog treats, but with a little bit of patience, some planning and prep, this will be an easy addition into your own weekly meal-prep. Plus, these will be much healthier for your dog than anything processed that you would buy in a pet store. 

 I use these meatballs for training, for administering essential oil supplementation and to give an extra boost of nutrition to their meals. 

Doggy Brain-boosting Meatballs 
By Niki Perry, Holistic Animal Behavior Consultant. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. Grassfed ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup shredded zucchini (well drained) 
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1d rosemary essential oil
• 1d thyme essential oil 
• 1d basil essential oil 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Shred the zucchini and then squeeze out all of the excess water. 
3. Add the eggs and essential oils to a mixing bowl and beat them together.  
4. Add the grass-fed beef, zucchini and almond flour to the bowl and using your hands, combine all ingredients and knead together until well-incorporated.
5. Form mixture into equal-size meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
7. Allow to cool and give to your dog as desired.
8. Store in the fridge for 5 days or freeze for future. 

The essential oils in this recipe are known for their benefits for focus, concentration, calming, energy, memory and mood enhancing. Used together they are a powerful support for the brain and body.

Thyme is considered a hot oil so use caution with this oil. In the event of skin-irritation, dilute with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil; do NOT apply water to try and wash off the oils as this will enhance the effects. 

​Want to learn more about essential oils for dogs? Click here to learn more about getting started. 

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