PART 3 – KEEPING YOUR DOG HEALTHY BY BEING AWARE OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL HEALTH
What does your dog’s immune system do?
It has two crucial roles to help keep your dog healthy. Firstly, it responds and destroys toxic substances and organisms that get into our dogs system. Secondly, it helps to defend against germs, viruses and bacteria.
One of the most amazing functions the immune system performs is to remember the invader it defeated previously and if it attacks the dog again, the immune system remembers how it defeated it last time and does so again, often with increased strength.
So how does your dog’s diet affect its immune system?
Did you know that roughly 65% of your dog’s immune cells are in its Gastro Intestinal Tract. This shows that good nutrition and a healthy functioning immune system go hand in hand.
A healthy diet provides essential nutrients that actively enhance your dog’s immune system.
So what is a healthy diet?
This can often be a controversial subject, as more people are starting to look at a natural raw diet for their dog and the health benefits it brings, whilst others prefer a more commercial dry food for their dog.
Research indicates that there are three keys for an ideal canine diet:
- Variety
- Nutrient dense foods
- Whole foods
Our suggestion is to do your own research and make up your own mind.
What we would like to do though is share some information about important nutrients that can give your dog’s immune system a boost.
- Proteins & Amino Acids – such as Flax Seed, Salmon, Sardines, Eggs, Muscle/Organ Meats.
- Fatty Acids & Oils – such as Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil and Pumpkin Seed Oil.
- Antioxidants – many of the key Vitamins & Minerals such as Vitamin A, C & E, Selenium and Zinc can be found in form of fruits and vegetables.
As we have discussed in Part 1 & 2 of this series, keeping your dog’s immune system healthy can play a huge role in them living a longer, healthier life.
In the final Part of this series, we will talk more about how certain treatments can boost your dog’s immune system and constitutional strength.
If you would also like to know more about how we can help your dog, contact me NOW at [email protected] or CALL ME on 0408 699371.
Best Wishes
Tim & Mimi
