If there is one thing every dog needs, aside from the tender love and care you provide for them, it’s a healthy lifestyle. A strong immune system is one of the major pillars that make it possible. It can fight off common illnesses, help them recover from stress easily, and keep them active even as they age. That’s why an immune system support plan can be something worth considering, even if there isn’t one in place yet.
Under the Weather offers numerous pet wellness products with high-quality ingredients that are known for providing your dog with excellent immune support. Not only that, we are committed to making sure that your dog’s health is always a priority. By understanding your dog’s immune system and how to provide it with the best support, you can be sure that they’ll be able to live longer, healthier lives.
What To Know About a Dog’s Immune System?
The one thing to know about your dog’s immune system is that it’s a complex thing. It consists of numerous cells, tissues, and biological processes that are all working together to ensure your body is fending off diseases and infections. Think of it as physical barriers like mucous membranes or skin. With dogs, you have the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system, each with their own specific functions, including:
- Innate immunity response is where white blood cells and natural killer cells work together to detect and eradicate any potential invaders in the body.
- The adaptive immune system will often build antibody memory to ensure that your body can recognize and react quickly to any future invasions. While the response time is longer, it does a good job of taking the necessary preventative measures when such opportunities arise.
When both systems work together, the canine immune system will function as it should. As a result, your dog can stay healthy at almost any life stage.
What Factors Affect Your Dog’s Immune Health?
There are plenty of internal and external factors that can influence the performance of your dog’s immune system. Plus, with adequate dog immune system support, the level of performance might be quite impressive. Such challenges that may arise include:
- Stress from travel, boarding, or other lifestyle changes
- Periods of recovery, such as after an illness or surgery
- Aging and natural slowdowns of the immune system
- Oxidative stress due to environmental toxins or poor nutrition
- Poor quality pet food that you feed them, or an imbalance of nutrients
Please note that such factors are common. Yet, with proactive care that includes adequate nutrition, supplementation, and love and attention, your dog’s long-term wellness will certainly benefit, especially when you provide excellent immune system support that lasts with regular consistency.
What Are the Key Nutrients For Dog Immune System Support?
Maintaining a healthy immune system includes key nutrients that are essential for daily life. These nutrients and compounds all work together to bolster your dog’s body’s natural defenses and ensure balance. Here are key nutrients that are great for your dog:
- Vitamin C and E: These are two of the most powerful antioxidants that help fight against oxidative stress. Vitamin C is considered one of the best supports for white blood cell function, while Vitamin E can enhance the overall strength of the immune system while also keeping cell membranes well-protected.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Fish Oils: Commonly found in fish and salmon oil, Omega-3 fatty acids are great for making sure your body’s natural response to inflammation is on point. In addition, Omega-3s and other fish oils offer even more health benefits beyond immune support. Your dog can enjoy a healthier coat, smooth skin, a better functioning heart, and well-lubricated joints for improved mobility. If there are nutrients that can really be a must-have for your dog, it's fish oils and Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Zinc and Kelp: Both of these key nutrients are excellent for immune response and support enzyme function. Kelp contains natural trace minerals that are essential for a balanced diet.
- Organic Mushrooms: These include reishi, shiitake, and maitake mushrooms. They all contain natural compounds that boost the innate immunity and provide balance in the adaptive immune system. These also include formulas that are formulated to provide excellent immune support your dog needs.
- Bovine Colostrum: This key nutrient offers passive immunity, which is an excellent form of defense that is provided via antibodies. Bovine colostrum can help produce the immune system while also building up resilience in periods of recovery.
- Dried Yeast Fermentate and Proprietary Blends: These include ingredients like dried yeast fermentate, which is typically included in immune support supplement formulations. Furthermore, it is known for promoting a balanced gut microbiota and boosting gut microbiome diversity. In a sense, it can be one of the best blends for your dog if they deal with digestive issues at times.
How Does the Immune System Work in Dogs?
Understanding how the immune system works inside your dog’s body is key. When potential threats are inside the body, the white blood cells have a responsibility to identify and destroy the invaders quickly. As it happens, it activates the NF-kB pathway and NF-KB Signaling, which are known for controlling immune responses and regulating inflammation. If the inflammation becomes excessive, it can trigger discomfort or liver inflammation via the enzyme known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2.
With regular natural nourishment of the dog's immune system, you can manage the inflammatory processes and promote a smoother immune system for your dog, especially when you won’t have to deal with the risks linked to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Natural Ways to Boost Canine Immune Health
While supplements do so much for canine immune health, they can also work well in other natural ways. These are some of the best holistic approaches to dog immunity, including:
- Feed Them a Balanced Diet: High-quality pet food that has whole ingredients will be an excellent choice for your dog. These may include Under the Weather’s Ready Cal High-Calorie Supplement for Dogs for the extra boost in vitamins and minerals. If your dog is recovering from an illness, our Powder Canine Supplement may also be a good fit.
- Support Gut Health: Believe it or not, your dog’s gut microbiome and overall immune system work hand in hand. It’s true. If you find a high-quality dog supplement probiotic powder, it can work on both their immune system and provide excellent digestion. It’s a win-win for the pet that deserves to live a healthy life.
- Encourage Regular Exercise: Regular movement is great for blood circulation while also keeping blood pressure well-regulated. When it happens consistently, your organs and your immune system function at their best.
- Make Hydration a Priority: Drinking clean water regularly can provide excellent cell function support, make nutrient absorption easier, and help eliminate toxins. All of these are essential in maintaining dog immunity.
- Reduce Stress: Stress can take a toll on the immune system over time. For this reason, your dog should be in a calm environment while maintaining a routine feeding schedule, during which you provide them with plenty of love and attention that will really work wonders on their emotional well-being.
Should I Worry About Any Safety Concerns or Potential Side Effects?
Most immune support products are safe when used properly. As long as you follow the dosage guidelines and consult your veterinarian before use, your dog should be just fine. If your dog has existing medical conditions, like kidney disease or allergies, you’ll want to discuss what to do with your vet to ensure things don’t get worse for them healthwise. More importantly, over-supplementation should be avoided since some nutrients can trigger potential side effects if they are administered in excessive doses.
Simply put, balance and moderation are both key when it comes to providing your dog with the best immune system support possible. Senior pets and younger pets all require gentle immune support with a balanced diet to ensure a highly functional immune system throughout all stages of life. Finally, be sure to stick to the usual vet visits that include check-ups, urine analysis, and other necessary procedures that apply in small animal medicine so that your dog can live a healthy life at almost any age.
Final Thoughts
Your dog’s immune health can really get the boost it needs with consistent supplementation, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and so much more. Even as they age, they’ll feel like they are still spry like a puppy. Under the Weather is proud to offer numerous pet products that focus on overall health, including boosting immunity. Whether they are a puppy or just reaching senior age, it is possible to make sure your dog enjoys the immunity boost that they need and more. For more information on what we have in stock, be sure to check out Under the Weather today.
