Why You Should Support Your Dog's Immune System

Autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergies and other ailments are becoming more and more common in dogs. I recently saw a poster in a veterinary office stating that 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer.  That is an insanely high number! Many of these diseases develop when a dog's immune system is not able to cope with the toxins they are exposed to on a daily basis.  This article will list the most common types of toxins your dog has to deal with and ways to help reduce them.

Causes:

1. Food - The sad reality is that most dog food contains grains (which are not easily digested by dogs), animal by-products (such as feather, beaks, intestines, bowels and other things not used in human food products), preservatives and synthetic vitamins. All of these ingredients have been shown to cause stomach upset, allergies and sometimes more serious illness (including death). Fortunately, more and more dog owners are becoming savvy to this and as a result more good quality commercial dog foods are becoming available. Things to look for when purchasing a food is to make sure the protein source is one of the first ingredients and that it does not say "meal". For example, "chicken" listed as the protein source should mainly be comprised of chicken meat, whereas "chicken meal" will include or be solely chicken byproducts such as feet, beaks, feathers, etc. Also make sure that there is no wheat, corn or soy in your dog's food.  All of these grains are difficult to digest and get passed to your dog's large intestine for fermentation to break them down.  This leads to gas, stomach upset and inflammation. Many dogs are hypersensitive to grains and develop skin allergies when they are consumed. Also check for added oils in your dog's food. Oils such as canola, soybean and corn oil are inflammatory and should be avoided. 

2.  Pesticides - Every dog is exposed to pesticides....both in the environment and in the form of a pill, topical liquid or flea collar.  Here in Florida, we get a lot of bugs due to the constant warm weather. Because of this, most homes and offices utilize a pest control service to decrease the amount of unwanted pests in homes and workplaces.  Many properties also get their lawns treated to decrease insects and weeds.  Dogs are low to the ground and constantly sniffing and tend to be more exposed to these pesticides than we are. On top of that, we also give them monthly heart worm preventative and flea and tick treatments (which are necessary for many animal owners here in the Florida due to the large number of mosquitos, fleas and ticks present). These chemicals have a cumulative effect in the dog's system and build up over time which can lead to hypersensitivities. 

3. Vaccinations - I am not against vaccinations. I believe that they can prevent devastating diseases and are necessary and effective under the right circumstances. I am against over vaccinating though and most dogs get over vaccinated.  I recommend checking your dog's titer (a blood test that tells how many antibodies they have for a certain disease...the more antibodies present, the more protected against that disease they are if they should ever become exposed to it). If your dog has an adequate titer, then a booster vaccination is not warranted.  Overloading an animal's system with unnecessary vaccinations is taxing on their immune system and can lead to autoimmune disorders, hypersensitive and other ailments.

4.  Water - Most people don't give much thought to the water their dog is drinking, however water can contain many harmful ingredients. Tap water can include chemicals such as fluoride, chlorine, lead, mercury, PCB's and other harmful ingredients.  Well water can be high in bacteria and algae, contain fecal matter, nitrates, radionuclides, industrial chemicals, and mineral salts. I recommend to give your dog either filtered water or bottled natural spring water. 

Solutions:

1. Feed a grain free diet with high quality protein sources and no added "junk". Raw and grain free is ideal and there are some good quality commercial raw diets on the market now to make it easier for  you (check your local pet store's freezer to see what they have available). If you can not afford to do raw, then a high quality grain free food is your next best option. 
2. Vaccinate only when necessary and use titer blood tests to determine if your dog needs a vaccination.  Also use common sense when vaccinating. Do not give your dog multiple vaccinations in one day and only vaccinate against diseases that your dog may become exposed to.
3. Give your dog filtered water to decrease exposure to toxins and other harmful ingredients in tap or well water.
4. Support your dogs immune system though supplementation! It is impossible to keep your dog away from all toxins, therefore it is necessary to provide them a supplement that can help their bodies optimally process those toxins and allow their immune systems to function normally.  When a dog's immune system is not working enough, they will suffer from diseases and illnesses that their body is not able to fight off.  When their immune system is working too hard, they will develop allergies, autoimmune disorders and hypersensitivities. A high quality immune support supplement can help balance out their immune system.
5. Support your dogs immune system through bodywork. Massage, chiropractic, acupuncture and other forms of body work have been proven to boost the immune system, along with prevent other types of diseases and discomforts. Consider adding some form of bodywork to your dog's regular health care schedule.

Which Supplement Should You Give Your Dog?

I recommend NuVet Plus. It is the supplement that I give to my own dogs (French Bulldogs who are prone to allergies) and that I also recommend to clients. This supplement is made from all human grade ingredients and is made in the USA. This supplement also comes with a satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with it for any reason, they will refund your money.  

LEARN MORE ABOUT NUVET PLUS

Interested in ordering NuVet Plus for your dog? Use the referral code 90024 when ordering online or over the phone.  1-800-474-7044 or www.nuvet.com