If your beloved pup isn’t quite their usual tail-wagging, ball-chasing self, their diet might be the culprit.
Just like humans, processed fast food negatively affects dogs – and sometimes the ultra-processed food in their bowl is more foe than friend. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and doggie gloom!
Many pet parents are discovering the benefits of feeding fresh food – not just for allergy relief, but to support overall wellbeing. From picky eaters to pups with sensitive tummies or sluggish energy, a switch to real, whole foods often brings visible results: glossier coats, healthier poops, less scratching and more bounce in every step.
“We have been taught over decades to prioritise convenience over health and wellbeing, to effectively feed our dogs fast food,” says Emma Kaye, founder of Happy Hounds, a local fresh dog food company. “Today, highly-processed foods make up nearly 100% of the diets of our pet cats and dogs. We are all learning about the negative health impacts of a fast food diet for humans (anyone else watch Super Size Me?) so why would we choose that for our best friends?”
It’s a fair question – especially when fresh food offers so much more. It’s naturally tastier, more bioavailable (meaning dogs absorb more nutrients), and linked to better blood-fat levels and reduced cancer risk. Feeding a diverse, unprocessed diet even helps boost gut bacteria – a key player in immunity and allergy defence.
For dogs with food allergies, lean proteins like ostrich can be a game changer. It’s hypoallergenic, low in fat, and packed with amino acids, vitamins and minerals. But even if your pup doesn’t have health issues, fresh food can be a joyful daily ritual – a way of showing love and care that goes beyond belly rubs.
After all, they’re not just pets. They’re our companions, our comforters, our four-legged family. And they deserve to be nourished the way we nourish ourselves – with real food, made with love. ●
DOG PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
De Waal Park (Oranjezicht): A spacious park featuring open lawns, shaded paths, and a central fountain.
Green Point Urban Park (Green Point): Includes an off-leash zone for dogs to run and mingle, while their humans enjoy the views. Note that dogs are not allowed in the children’s play areas or the biodiversity garden.
Leadville Dog Park (Sunningdale): A secure, dog-friendly space offering separate areas for large and small dogs. More than just a park, Leadville provides a variety of dog care services, making it a one-stop hub for pet owners.
Radley’s Dog Park (Constantia): A favourite among locals, this off-leash park offers a welcoming environment for dogs to play and socialise.
Also explore: Leonardo Dog Park (Parklands), Kenridge Bark Park (Durbanville), Radloff Park Dog Park (Somerset West), and the Alphen Trail (Constantia Green Belt).
ANIMAL RESCUE & REHABILITATION CENTRES
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SPCA
Grassy Park, Cape Town
021 700 4140
info@capespca.co.za
http://www.capespca.co.za
DARG (Domestic Animal Rescue Group)
Main Road, Hout Bay
021 790 0383
info@darg.org.za
http://www.darg.org.za
TEARS (The Emma Animal Rescue Society)
Sunningdale, Fish Hoek
021 785 4482
tears@tears.org.za
http://www.tears.org.za
Oscars Arc WOOF Project (Adoption Agency)
Russell Street, Cape Town
067 993 0570
info@oscarsarc.org
http://www.oscarsarc.org
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