Antioxidants For Dogs

Antioxidants For Dogs

Man’s Best Friend – that’s how a dog is often referred to. However, if you don’t take care of your pet, your best friend may not be around very long. While you have undoubtedly heard of the benefits of antioxidants for humans, did you know that dogs need them as well?

Many pet owners are doing their canine companion a disservice by not incorporating antioxidants for dogs into their pet’s daily diet. Antioxidants have many benefits both for humans and dogs, but which ones are specifically important for canines?

What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, or other chemical components that fight free radicals. A free radical is a molecule that is short one electron. These molecules then react with more molecules, like DNA and proteins, and cause them to oxidize, which means they lose an electron.

These molecules then become free radicals and start to cause more damage. Antioxidants stop this oxidation process, thereby reducing the damage to the body’s cells.

Powerful antioxidants include carotenoids, selenium, alpha lipic acid, coenzyme Q10, and Vitamins A, C, and E. The best sources for these antioxidants for dogs are fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Sources for free radicals include environmental factors, such as UV rays, cigarette smoke, x-rays, pesticides, and food additives. These radicals help speed up aging of the body, and can result in numerous diseases.

Why Antioxidants Are Necessary

There are many environmental factors that dogs are exposed to everyday. This includes pesticides, pollution, and cigarette smoke. These pollutants cause free radicals to release within the dog’s body, causing oxidation.

Most dogs do not get enough fresh vegetables and fruits in their diet. In order for dogs to get the benefits of these antioxidants, more than just commercial dog food is needed.

An antioxidant supplement is necessary to give dogs the antioxidants that are needed to fight free radicals.

What Health Problems Can Be Avoided With Antioxidants?

There are many problems that can be helped or avoided by giving your dog antioxidants. Some of these problems include arthritis and joint problems, eye problems, respiratory problems, skin allergies, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, chronic infections, and cancer.

There are many different kinds of antioxidants, but there are some that are specifically beneficial to dogs. These include:

• Vitamin A: Good for dogs with skin, respiratory, and eye problems.
• Vitamin C: Good for dogs with allergies, chronic infections, a weakened immune system, and skin problems.
• Vitamin E: Good for dogs with cancer, heart problems, allergies, and skin irritation.
• Selenium: Good for preventing and treating cancer, infections, inflammation, and heart problems.
• Carotenoids: Good for preventing and treating cancer, eye problems, respiratory problems, and allergies.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid: Good for preventing and treating cancer, and beneficial for aging dogs.
• Coenzyme Q10: Good for dogs with immune problems, gum disease, heart disease, and beneficial for aging dogs.

There are also many herbal antioxidants for dogs that can be very beneficial as well. Some of these include oregano, turmeric, parsley, ginger, and celery seed.

You can simply sprinkle some of these herbs on your dog’s food. Milk thistle, green tea, and mushrooms, especially Shiitake, Reishi, and Maitake, are also very beneficial for dogs because of their antioxidant properties.

A Few Final Thoughts

Antioxidants for dogs can help improve their overall health and well being. While you will need a good antioxidant supplement, you can also help by adding some of the powerful herbal antioxidants to your dog’s food as well.

Take care of your dog, so they can be a healthy, happy companion for many years to come.

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