We all want our dogs to be healthy, to have the energy to play, and to live a long and happy life. A lot of this is dependant on the genes of the dog, plus the food that we supply her with. Much like in the case of the food we humans eat, sometimes we just aren't getting enough nutrition, sometimes we need a boost.
Dogs are the same, sometimes their immune systems become affected and as a result, they become more susceptible to developing viruses, diseases, illnesses; they suffer from low energy levels, and they behave older than they actually are.
In order to provide them with the immune boost they need, we want to look outside their typical food diet and look for something more.
Why Your Dog's Immune System is Imperative
The immune system is an integral part of the body's immune response to invading bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders. If this immune system is not functioning normally, as discussed in PetMD your dog may become susceptible to a variety of diseases.
She may also suffer from chronic inflammation, which can lead to further development of a disease. But when we focus on keeping the system balanced, we are helping our pet by reducing the risk of her becoming sick and improving her energy levels.
Watch the video here to better understand more about the immune system in pets, what causes lowered levels, how to help, and what this can mean for our furry friends.
What Leads to a Poor Immune System?
When your dog consumes a poor-quality diet, she may develop excess fat or lack the energy to play. For dogs, their play is their exercise, it is what helps them to burn off any fatty foods and keep themselves lean and healthy.
As PetMD explains, if a dog stores fat, she weakens her immune system. As fat is the body's largest endocrine gland, which in turn promotes inflammation, a small amount of excess fat can lead to excess inflammation hormones and thus make her prone to disease.
In some cases, according to WagWalking, your dog could suffer from a hereditary disorder, which as a result could mean she has a weakened immune system. If this is the case, you will likely notice recurrent symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Skin Lesions
- Weight loss
- Lack of energy
- Infection
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
Immune-deficiency disease can also lead to a weakened immune state, as further described by WagWalking, and will mean that a dog has either a deficiency in immunoglobulin or phagocytosis.
Dogs who have recently undergone surgery or have received a vaccination will also have a weakened immune response.
Although there are some culprits that are more likely than others, as mentioned above, a dog's immune system can be suppressed due to a variety of sources:
- Pollution
- Toxins
- Allergens
- Bacteria
- Infection
- Viruses
- sore throats
- Parasites
- Stress
- Wheat germ
- Lack of vitamins and minerals
- Lack of immune-supporting ingredients
- Hormone imbalance
- UV light
- Lack of protein in diet
- Antibiotics
- Gut bacteria
- Vaccinations
- Hereditary disorders specific to breed
- Immune deficiency disease
Regardless of the reason for your dog's lowered immune response, there are ways that you can work to give her system a boost.
How to Boost Your Dog's Immune System
A proper diet is often the best existing source to give your dog the much-needed support for her immune system. If you are unsure about the food that your dog is eating, talk to your veterinarian for advice.
Certain supplements that are derived naturally can greatly impact your dog's immune response system. These natural ingredients are known as Spirulina, Resveratrol, Ginger, Turkey Tail Mushroom Powder, and Beta-Glucan for a powerful antioxidant like elderberry, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, soup, green tea, leafy green, hemp seeds, turmeric, sweet potato, and carrot.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let us first review what these superfoods and processed foods are and what they mean for your dog.
Spirulina
Available in a tablet, flake or powder form, it is derived from blue-green algae and many choose to use it as a dietary supplement. According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, Spirulina has some great benefits for dogs, specifically their immune system.
Recall that a diet low in protein can lead to a lowered immune system, Spirulina is one of the highest proteins available; it is also extremely high in beta-carotene, vitamin D, vitamin E, B-12, probiotic, and iron.
Resveratrol
Found in a variety of foods such as the skin of grapes, red wine, dark berries, and chocolate, many humans can benefit from a large number of antioxidants found within. These antioxidants fight off the free radicals that often occur within the body.
While dogs are not meant to each such food, the compound can be found in Japanese knotweed (it is perfectly safe for them) and can be administered in a supplemental form, YourOldDog.com. The site further goes on to describe dog's increase in energy and alertness when given the supplement.
Turkey Tail Mushroom Powder
Derived from a medicinal mushroom that has been used for centuries by the Chinese and Japanese people, and used for its ability to boost the immune system, Draxe.com . These mushrooms are rich in vitamins and minerals, plus they have an anti-viral effect.
Most studies that have been conducted with the use of Turkey Tail Mushrooms have been conducted on human and animal patients, both suffering from cancer.
Within these studies, positive results have shown that these miracle mushrooms have helped to rebuild the broken down immune system and extend the life of the suffering patient according to NurseYourPet.com .
Beta-Glucan
Without going into the complexity of the compound, Beta-Glucan is essentially a form of soluble fiber, that which can be dissolved in water, HealthLine.com. Just as the other three ingredients we mentioned have positive effects on the immune system, so too does this fiber give it that lift.
BetterWayHealth.com discusses that when Beta-Glucan is absorbed in the body it activates immune cells within called Macrophages. These cells help to target, trap, and ultimately eliminate foreign invaders that try and enter the body causing damage and disease.
Working in Combination
Imagine if you combined all of these superfoods into a single product that is specifically made to benefit the immune system and one that is specific to your furry friend? Imagine the benefits that could occur?
A product that is not only easy to introduce and feed to your dog but has also received positive feedback from a variety of pet owners all wanting to boost their dog's overall health and immune response system and includes probiotic.
Seal of Approval
Pet owners from far and wide have expressed their gratitude towards the amazing results they claim this unique combination has done for their dogs. Benefits such as:
- More energy
- Diminishes kennel cough symptoms
- Spark of light in dog's eyes
- More energy and vitality; overall more playful
- Less frequent seizures
- Brighter and shinier coat
- Faster post-operation healing
- Added longevity for senior dogs
Often, many pet owners have simply given the product a try for a specific condition they wanted to treat, whether it was the canine papilloma virus, allergies, or a weakened immune system from vaccinations.
Not only are the results they have found are all positive, but the added unexpected benefits are so much more.
Final Thoughts
It is ultimately important to remember that in order to have a healthy dog for years to come, the health of her immune system should be your number one priority. Recall the following:
- The immune system fights a variety of symptoms and conditions
- A poor immune system can stem from: a poor diet, a hereditary disorder, immune-deficiency disease, recent surgery or vaccination, etc.
- Take proper measures to boost her immune response: talk with your veterinarian and introduce immune-boosting foods such as Spirulina, Resveratrol, Turkey Tail Mushroom, and Beta-Glucan
- Choose a powerful product that gives you the benefits of the four superfoods combined
We hope that by understanding the many benefits of these four superfoods and by seeing the many powerful first-hand positive accounts of their use of Zenapet, you will feel confident in providing this supplement for your dog.
Wanting to keep your dog healthy is the easy part, knowing what to give her is the hard part. If you have any questions or concerns we invite you to reach out, we'd love to hear your thoughts and comments.