Chia seeds have risen to prominence in the health and fitness community, becoming one of the most sought after superfoods for its numerous nutritional benefits. They have been linked to improved digestion, lowering blood pressure and have recently been discovered to aid in treating and preventing diabetes.

Luckily, chia seeds can also have massive benefits to doggie health too. Packed full of nutrients, the seeds are safe for your dog to eat, either raw or baked into meals or treats. They are also gluten free, meaning even dogs with gluten allergies and intolerances can enjoy the benefits too. Although small in size, chia seeds are jam packed with nutrients, making them a fantastic ingredient to add into your pup’s diet: one ounce of chia seeds contains 12 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids. To put that into context, that is 3 times the Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, which are essential for balancing out Omega-6 fatty acids, and also aids in helping maintain healthy joints, brain development and strengthening the immune system, in addition to a wide range of other things that keeps your pup healthy.

If that wasn’t great enough, chia seeds also contain around 5 times the calcium of whole milk, 2 times the potassium of bananas, 3 times more iron than spinach and more magnesium than broccoli, showing the benefits on chia seeds in comparison to other foods. It is clear to see why they have become such a staple in the health community, offering huge benefits for both you and your dog to enjoy!

Here at PetLondon we have the easy and tasty solution to all your chia seed needs! We have recently began stocking a range of treats by Einstein Pets, made in the USA, which are infused with the wondrous chia seed, meaning you can rest easy knowing your pups are experiencing all the benefits chia has to offer. The treats contain only natural and organic ingredients, and contain no chemicals, artificial flavours or preservatives, and if that wasn’t great enough, they are only one calorie per treat! We currently stock four flavours, which are Peanut Butter, Pumpkin & Cinnamon, Coconut & Apple and Carrots & Tumeric, so even the pickiest pups can enjoy the treats.

Our range of Einstein Pet treats, infused with chia seed, are available on our website

You can also add chia seeds to regular doggie meals, either by sprinkling the seeds over the food raw to act as an extra supplement, or soaking the seeds in water to create a gel that can be mixed into food. This is especially useful for overweight pups, as when soaked, chia seeds are able to absorb up to 12 times their weight in water. These then expand in the stomach to create a feeling of fullness, which means dogs who love to eat feel full despite consuming less calories.