How to Improve Your Dog’s Immune System Naturally

As a dog owner, you want to provide for your dog to give them the best quality of life. When your dog’s immune system becomes weak, it can leave them vulnerable to immune disorders, viral infections, and cancer. We’ll explain the best ways to improve your dog’s immune system naturally and why it’s essential.

Why a Healthy Immune System is Vital for Dogs

It is essential to care for your dog so that they maintain a healthy immune system to:

  • Fight foreign microorganisms that can deplete cells and deteriorate tissue function.
  • Adapt to a variety of physiological conditions.
  • Fight infections and prevent diseases as a new puppy and a mature dog.

The health of your dog’s immune system determines its survival. This is vital at every stage of life. 10-30% of puppies die before the age of 21 days if their immune system doesn’t properly develop after they are born. And as your dog matures, its immune system works to fight off inflammatory, neoplastic, and autoimmune diseases.

Related Link: Dietary Fats for Pets

What Causes a Weak Immune System in Dogs

Several factors can weaken your dog’s immune system:

  • Hereditary Immunodeficiency
  • Tumors
  • Viral Infections
  • Excessive Stress
  • Allergies
  • Surgery
  • Vaccines and Medication
  • Age
  • Poor Sleep

By taking special care of your dog, you can prevent many factors that weaken a dog’s immune system. However, some of these factors are unavoidable, like hereditary immunodeficiency. The dog breeds that are predisposed to hereditary immunodeficiency include:

  • Basset Hounds
  • Beagles
  • Chinese Shar-peis
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgis
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • German Shepherds
  • Gray Collies
  • Irish Setters
  • Jack Russell Terriers
  • Weimaraners

Best Tips for Boosting Your Dog’s Immune System Naturally

To strengthen your dog’s immune system naturally, follow these tips:

Encourage Physical Fitness Through Play

An active dog has a stronger immune system than a sedentary dog. You can encourage physical activity by walking your dog for 30 minutes every day and playing with your dog. Any aerobic exercise that makes your dog pant is good physical activity, whether that is playing:

  • Fetch
  • Jumping
  • Swimming
  • Running

And getting out with your dog is beneficial to you too. Human physical activity is 57%-77% higher for dog owners.

Feed Your Dog a Diet of Proper Nutrition

Many studies have found that proper nutrition is essential to a healthy immune system for your dog. You should buy dog food that is high in nutrients that boost the immune system. Make sure to read your labels and look for quality ingredients.

You’ll also want to be mindful of portion control for your dog. Maintaining a healthy dog weight also boosts its immune system.

Want to boost your dog’s immune system with essential vitamins and nutrients? Shop Rogue Pet Science’s all-natural food toppers for dogs.

Provide Fresh Clean Water

Keeping your dog’s water bowl clean and regularly refreshed with clean water will protect your dog from bacteria that can harm your dog and weaken its immune system. You’ll want to provide enough fresh water to keep your dog hydrated, which is about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day.

Supplement Your Dog’s Diet for Added Nutrients

While good quality dog food is essential, you can also supplement your dog’s diet with additional nutrients and vitamins. Some dog owners prefer to give their dog a regular supplement to fortify their dog’s health, while other owners will give their dogs an additional supplement when their health requires it, like after surgery or an illness.

What Vitamins Are Good for a Dog’s Immune System?

For a healthy immune system, you’ll want to give your dog the following vitamins and nutrients in the form of food, dog supplement, or snacks:

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • Vitamin A
  • B Vitamins
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Direct-Fed Microbials
  • Phytogenics
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Zinc

Need a better all-natural dog supplement? Rogue Pet Science’s supplements and treats are rich in Omega-3s and other essential vitamins to strengthen the immune system.

Related Link: 5 Reasons Why Whole Fish is Good For Your Dog

What is the Strongest Immune Booster?

The best nutrients and vitamins to boost the immune system for your dog are:

  • Vitamin C: An antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and protects against viruses and infections.
  • Vitamin E: A fat-soluble that improves the heart, eyes, skin, and muscles.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fatty acids reduce inflammation and support joints, skin, heart, and immune system.
  • Probiotics: contain good yeasts and bacteria that help balance the digestive tract and can counterbalance harmful bacteria that would otherwise weaken your dog’s immune system.

Avoid Stressful Situations

Stress can significantly impact your dog, both physically and emotionally. Stress forces your dog’s body to release the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is great for fighting stress, but cortisol can weaken the immune system if your dog’s stress levels are continually elevated.

Some dogs are more susceptible to anxiety, loud noises, crowds, traveling, etc. It is important to understand what factors cause stress for your dog and then do your best to reduce or avoid stressful situations.

Take Your Dog to The Veterinarian Regularly

Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are a great way to boost your dog’s immune system because your vet will be able to recognize symptoms and triggers that aren’t necessarily obvious to you. It also helps you know what you need to do to keep your dog in good health.

Proper Care Leads to a Long Healthy Life

By doing all you can to care for your dog through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper nutrition and hydration, you’ll boost your dog’s immune system and help them live active lives.

Rogue Pet Science makes the best natural, immune-boosting pet treats and supplements. Rogue Pet Science’s high-quality supplements fortify your dog’s health and quality of life.

Want to boost your dog’s overall health? Rogue Pet Science offers an Origins Canine 5 in 1 Supplement that promotes positive gut health through all-natural foods and supplements.

Related Link: Are the Calories on Your Dog Food Label Correct?

References:

  1. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/immune-disorders-of-dogs/immune-deficiency-diseases-in-dogs
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6958461/
  3. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/genetic/c_dg_primary_immunodeficiency_disorders
  4. https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/how-much-exercise-does-my-dog-need/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2156050/
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7053864/
  7. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/my-dog-always-thirsty#1
  8. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/vitamins-dogs-need-healthy-lifestyle/
  9. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/6-ways-stress-affects-your-dogs-health

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