(NC) -- We've all heard about super foods that we should be adding to our diet because of their antioxidant and nutrient-rich properties, but did you know there are similar foods for our pets too?

Michele Dixon, a health and nutrition specialist with Petcurean, offers her list of five ingredients to consider for your pet's diet. Some can be found in premium quality recipes for cats and dogs, like NOW FRESH, that is available at pet specialty stores.

• Pumpkin – We know that pumpkins are great for carving and delicious in pies, but pumpkin is also a source of fibre for pets that is high in vitamin A and beta-carotene.

• Cranberries – For many of the same reasons that they are good for humans, cranberries are also good for our pets. They are high in anti-oxidants and are also a good source of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese, which aids in pet urinary tract health.

• Papaya – This delicious and exotic tropical fruit is rich in vitamin B, which aids in cell metabolism, and contains papain, an enzyme that can help in a pet's digestion.

• Chickpeas – Many of us enjoy chickpeas in salads, hummus and falafel balls. They are also good for our pets because they are rich in prebiotics, which stimulate the activity of bacteria in the digestive system and aid healthy digestion.

• Cottage cheese – This versatile food is a good source of riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus and selenium for our pets. Cottage cheese contains only small amounts of lactose, so a very small amount would not be an issue for intolerant dogs.