The Top Dog Supplements For The Health Of Your Dog

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The Best Dog Supplements For The Health Of Your Dog

The market is exploding with products claiming to improve the health and wellness of people using vitamins and nutritional supplements. People are now seeking the same products to complement the health of their pets. The benefits of appropriate nutritional supplements are overwhelming and can add several healthy years to your life, as well as your dog’s. Knowing what to look for in dog supplements can be overwhelming. Today we are providing some tips to help you choose the best supplements for your dog.

Does Your Dog Act His Age?

Because dogs age much faster than people, major health changes occur in a short amount of time. Dr. Denham Harman’s Free Radical Theory of Aging, applies to people and pets, including dogs. This universally accepted theory states that aging is a process in which the body’s systems deteriorate faster than the body can repair them.

What Causes The Changes?

The changes occur due to oxidative damage caused by harmful compounds called free radicals. Free radicals are toxic, electrically unstable molecules. As we age, they are produced more quickly.

Free radicals damage your dog’s body similar to the way oxygen causes iron to rust. They are detrimental to your dog’s genetic material, his DNA and RNA, his cell membranes and enzyme systems.

Free radicals are formed each time we take a breath. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, as well as to environmental toxins, pollution, heavy metals and stress contribute to free radical formation. Your dog’s diet and drugs, such as antibiotics, are also factors.

Free radicals weaken your dog’s natural defenses and have been associated with the development of up to 90 percent of the age-related degenerative conditions we associate with aging. This includes:

Cancer
Heart disease
Arthritis
Diabetes
Cataracts
Premature aging

Our life span, as well as the length of your dog’s life, is ultimately determined by how quickly free radicals cause harmful oxidative changes to occur. Therefore what you feed your dog, as well as the supplements you choose for your dog are both very important.

Tips To Help Your Dog Enjoy a Longer, Healthier Life

Feed A Healthy Diet

You are what you eat, and that’s just as important for people as it is for dogs. What you feed your dog directly affects his health and wellness. The longer and more consistently you give your dog an optimally balanced diet, the greater his chances are of living a longer, healthier life.

Dogs, like people are omnivores and can naturally exist on a diet of meat, fruit and vegetables. Consult with your vet to determine the best diet for your dog. Commercial varieties worth looking into include organic, natural diets.

Homemade, natural diets take more time and effort but in many cases are well worth the extra effort. Raw food diets are another option that, with careful supervision, may provide complete and balanced nutrition for your dog.

Give Healthy Dog Snacks

Fruits and vegetables are healthy, low calorie snacks that many dogs enjoy. Those rich in antioxidants are especially beneficial for your dog:

Oranges
Tomatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Carrots
Cantaloupe

Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, tomatoes are filled with Lycopenes and sweet potatoes are a source of Vitamin E and Beta Carotene. Carrots and cantaloupes also provide Beta Carotene for your dog.

Give Supplements

Recent research documents that antioxidants provide very bright prospects for increasing the quality and length of your dog’s life. In addition, scientists have found that sooner is better than later as far as your dog’s potential health benefits. Antioxidant supplementation started as a puppy, before free radical damage has occurred, can potentially increase the healthy lifespan of your dog by up to 20 percent.’

Antioxidant supplements, including Vitamins A, C, and E, the minerals Selenium and Zinc, and the nutrients Alpha Lipoic Acid and Coenzyme Q10, are the body’s natural defense against free radical damage. They can help to protect your dog by neutralizing free radicals and decreasing the resultant levels of oxidative damage.

Antioxidant Supplements For Your Dog

Bioflavinoids

Bioflavinoids help to decrease allergic reactions, asthmatic attacks and have anti-cancer benefits for your dog.

Green Tea

Green Tea has antioxidants that may decrease the risk of heart disease and cancer and help protect the blood vessels nourishing your dog’s heart and brain.

Lutein

Lutein, a plant pigment from marigolds, helps to protect your dog’s eyes and may reduce the risk of cataracts.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a potent antioxidant that acts to normalize sleep patterns. It also protects your dog’s brain and has been used successfully with cancer therapy.

Effects Of Antioxidants

The effects of antioxidants are beneficial and act synergistically for people and dogs undergoing cancer therapy. In well controlled studies, people and dogs treated with antioxidants (with or without chemotherapy and radiation) have tolerated treatments better and experienced less weight loss. More importantly, they enjoyed a better overall quality of life and lived longer than individuals receiving no supplements.

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Nutritional Supplements for Your Dog’s Bones, Joints & Cartilage

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is an amino sugar naturally produced in your dog’s body from glucose, which is your dog’s blood sugar, and the Amino Acid, Glutamine. It helps the cartilage between the joints retain water so the cartilage can act like a cushion to absorb shock and withstand compression. Glucosamine is vital to protecting the health and integrity of your dog’s bones, joints and cartilage. It helps to:

Decrease joint inflammation and pain
Promote cartilage repair
Aid healing of damaged joints
Increase mobility in dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia

Glucosamine is also a normal component of the urinary bladder in dogs and cats and may help to relieve urinary disorders.

MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane)

MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a natural source of sulfur that works along with Glucosamine to help protect the health and integrity of your dog’s bones, joints and cartilage.

Essential Fatty Acid Supplements for Your Dog

Essential Fatty Acids are vital to life and support all bodily functions in your dog. They help to keep cell membranes soft and pliable, so your dog’s cells can absorb dietary nutrients. They enhance your dog’s skin and hair coat and are needed for the normal development of the nervous system and brain.

Fatty Acids are vital to brain health and help to preserve mental clarity. They decrease the risk of Alzheimers disease and dementia in dogs, cats and people. Fatty Acids may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, as well as provide therapeutic effects in your dog for:

Arthritis
Lupus
Inflammatory bowel disease
Cancer therapy
Kidney disorders

Flea allergies, food intolerances and bacterial skin infections can often be relieved by providing your dog with fatty acid supplements.

The proper balance of Fatty Acids helps to reduce wear and tear on your dog’s body by decreasing stress triggered increases in cholesterol and the stress hormone Cortisol. Research indicates that the ratio of 5:1 of Omega 6 to Omega 3 Fatty Acids seems to provide the greatest clinical benefits, surpassing that of any individual Fatty Acid alone.

Amino Acid Supplements for Your Dog

Glutamine is the most abundant Amino Acid in the body. It is the major energy source for the cells that line the digestive system and strengthens your dog’s natural defense system, the immune system.

Glutamine promotes healing of the digestive system thereby reducing bowel disorders. It spares protein and reduces muscle loss during periods of injury, stress and high endurance activities. Therefore, it is especially beneficial for pets recovering from trauma and for working and show dogs.

Glutamine also has many anti-aging effects. It helps to preserve memory and to prevent the harmful effects of Cortisol, the hormone that is responsible for accelerating the aging process in people and in your dog.

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Digestive Enzyme Supplements for Your Dog

Digestive Enzymes are produced by the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas and liver and are released into the digestive tract. Enzymes help your dogs body to breakdown proteins, fats and carbohydrates in his food so they can be absorbed and utilized.

Your dog’s production of enzymes naturally decreases with increasing age. Illnesses, stress, food intolerances, allergies and drugs like antibiotics also have a negative affect on enzyme production and function. This can result in a variety of digestive disturbances ranging from flatulence and gas to diarrhea, life threatening dehydration and malnutrition.

Digestive Enzymes are vital to maintain your dog’s overall health. They improve the efficiency of digestion so your pet’s body can utilize the nutrients essential for energy production and ultimately for life itself.

They help the body to recover from disease and promote restoration of good health in your dog. Enzymes are useful to reduce pain and swelling after exercise or trauma and help speed up recovery rates. Enzymes support your dog’s immune system, thereby enhancing his ability to ward off disease and infection. They have also been used effectively in cancer therapy for people and pets.

Papain

Papain is an enzyme that has aspirin-like effects to decrease swollen, painful inflamed tissues in your dog.

Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple stems that inhibits the spread of lung cancer in mice.

Digestive Enzyme supplements may be beneficial in dogs with digestive problems, immune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis, cancer and a variety of bowel disorders. Because of this, they are especially useful in older dogs with reduced digestive ability.

Supplement List For Your Dog:

*Always consult with your dog’s veterinarian before adding supplements to your dog’s diet.

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Vitamin A/Beta Carotene:

An antioxidant that enhances immunity, essential for your dog to utilize protein in his diet.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is needed for tissue growth and repair. It enhances immunity, needed for your dog’s body to utilize Vitamin E.

Vitamin E:

An antioxidant that prevents heart disease, promotes wound healing, needed for your dog’s body to utilize Vitamin C.

B-Complex Vitamins:

As a group, B vitamins help your dog to maintain healthy nerves, skin and muscle.

Coenzyme Q-10:

A powerful, newly discovered antioxidant. Essential for immune function, beneficial in heart disease and gum/dental disease for your dog.

Alpha Lipoic Acid:

An antioxidant that helps your dog to restore energy metabolism.

Selenium:

An antioxidant that works with Vitamin E to help your dog fight infection. Beneficial to dogs’ skin and hair coats. Deficiencies linked to cancer and heart disease.

Zinc:

An essential mineral your dog needs for protein synthesis, promotes healthy immune system, aids wound healing. Critical for hundreds of biological processes in the body.

Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids:

This is an essential component of cell membranes in your dog. It is needed for a healthy heart, brain function and skin and hair coats.

Bioflavinoids:

Enhances absorption of Vitamin C, has antioxidant effects and promotes normal blood circulation for your dog.

Glucosamine and MSM:

Promotes normal healthy bones, joints and cartilage for your dog.

Digestive Enzymes:

Essential for your dog to utilize and absorb nutrients from his diet.

Melatonin:

Immune modulator, antioxidant, triggers restful sleep for your dog.

Ginseng:

A metabolic tonic to promote brain health and overall wellness for your dog.

L-Glutamine:

Amino acid is needed for your dog to energize the cells of his digestive system so dietary nutrients can be properly absorbed and utilized.

Colostrum:

The first milk your puppy receives from his mother. Provides your dog with antibodies to protect him against disease and aid immune function.

Other Things Your Dog Needs To Stay Healthy

Exercise:

20 minutes twice a day minimum for your dog.

Balanced, natural diet:

You should feed your dog at least two meals daily. Fresh organic and natural sources are best.

Relaxation:

Stress and anxiety affect pets and people adversely. Set aside an hour a day to relax and enjoy your dog. Consider massage, yoga and music.

Positive mental attitude:

The mind-body connection is a potent promoter of well-being for you and your dog.

Pure water:

Fresh, non-chlorinated water is essential for people and for your dog.

By providing your dog with the proper supplements, along with a healhty diet and livestyle, you are giving your dog the best chance at a long and healthy life.