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Whether someone is a parent to human children or not, most pet owners consider their four-legged companion members of the family. Seventy percent of American homes report owning at least one pet, with cats and dogs being the most popular animal to adopt as a furry family member. If your beloved dog is suffering from chronic health issues, you've likely checked all the boxes to return them to good health by going to the vet, making sure they're up to date on vaccinations, and even giving them prescription medicines your vet prescribes.

In addition to the above mentioned, however, just like good nutrition is the foundation to strong human health and longevity, what your dog consumes is critical - especially if they have chronic health concerns. Perhaps you've already tried eliminating certain ingredients from your dog's food, or maybe you're just starting to consider their food as another form of healing. No matter where you fall on the spectrum of dog food knowledge, keep reading for the best food solutions to help your pup feel its best through diet.

Organ Meats

Whether you feed them organ meats solely or incorporate them into their kibble, organ meats will be a delicious treat to your beloved dog and can help their health in several ways. Organs like kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, and hearts are the most nutrient-dense parts of animals that can rebuild your dog's strength and blood. Organ meats are rich in vitamins A and B, iron, folate, zinc, and amino acids. They have been shown to rebuild strength and stamina. Remember, if your pup were still in the wild, he would be a carnivore and go after the organs of his prey first. This is an ancestral diet for your dog.

Sardines

You likely know the importance of Omega-3 oils and may even take supplements. Omega-3 oils are found in tiny fish and are abundant in sardines. While the smell may be nasty, your dog will devour these little fish and reap massive benefits from anti-inflammatory properties, joint pain relief, heart and kidney health, and skin concerns. So if your dog's chronic health condition is inflammation based or they have skin issues, sardines can be given as a treat to boost their health and mood.

Prescription Dog Food

While feeding your dog whole foods like organ meats and sardines is one direction to go in, if your dog has been diagnosed with health issues like kidney disease, liver disease, or even cancer, sometimes a prescription dog food is your best option. Doctors and scientists designed and engineered prescription dog foods to give your pup the nutrients it needs based on its chronic issues or diseases. You can select formulas based on your dog's age, weight, health condition, etc. Another great aspect of prescription dog foods is that they can be ordered online, and when you're dealing with your beloved pet's health issues, this convenience gives you more time to play and snuggle your pup - both of which have therapeutic benefits. A prescription dog food containing healthy, ancestral ingredients should be raw, just as the food mentioned above; don't feed a sick dog traditional kibble.

MCT Oils

While this suggestion is mainly an add-on to a prescription dog food or homemade raw diet, MCT oils can be a game-changer for your dog's longevity and health. MCT or medium-chain triglycerides are good anti-microbial fats, full of antioxidants and healthy minerals, reduce inflammation, increase immune system function, and, most importantly, have been shown to fight cancer. If your dog has received a cancer diagnosis, supplementing with MCT oils is necessary. Starve their cancer cells by providing a diet rich in healthy fats, fewer carbs (or none), and MCT oil.

There are other "cures in your cupboard" to help your dog live a happy life even with a chronic health issue, from mineral-rich kelp, eggs (a complete protein and 100% bioavailable), or fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, and fermented veggies. Even some mushrooms are beneficial to our four-legged family members. Reishi, Turkey Tail, Shitake, and Chaga are great additions to your dog's healthy diet, and their health benefits go beyond the immune system; they can help digestive health and fight cancer.

Caring for your aging or sick dog can feel overwhelming; we love them like family, but by adding the food mentioned above solutions to part of your therapy, you can have the peace of mind that you're doing all you can to heal your pup. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, famously said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." He may have been speaking to the human race, but it applies to every animal on earth.