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 A Pet Parent’s Guide To The Best Antioxidants For Dogs
 A Pet Parent’s Guide To The Best Antioxidants For Dogs

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A Pet Parent’s Guide To The Best Antioxidants For Dogs

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Antioxidants are chemicals that the body uses to combat free radicals. And free radicals are substances that might harm the body if they exceed a certain level. Antioxidants are also beneficial for your pets, especially your dogs. Your dog needs antioxidants to help promote a healthy immune system. Hence, every IAMS™ dog formula contains optimal levels of these nutrients.

Antioxidants are naturally occurring essential nutrients that help maintain your dog’s health by slowing the destructive oxidative process of cellular molecules. IAMS™ research has been focusing on advancing antioxidant nutrients for senior dogs — and the benefit is improved immune function. Discover how the antioxidants in IAMS™ products can benefit your dog’s health in a number of ways.

 

Benefits of antioxidants for dogs

Antioxidants are found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Common antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and certain compounds called carotenoids (like lutein and beta-carotene). When antioxidants are a part of a dog’s complete diet, they can provide the following benefits:

  • Slowing the oxidative process of cellular molecules.
  • Reversing immune-cell function in senior dogs.

 

How antioxidants work

As cells function normally in the body, they produce damaged molecules called free radicals. These free radicals are highly unstable and steal components from other cellular molecules such as fat, protein, or DNA, thereby spreading the damage.

 

This continues in a chain reaction, and causes cells to die. This process is called peroxidation. Peroxidation is useful because it helps the body destroy cells that have outlived their usefulness, and it kills germs and parasites. However, when left unchecked, peroxidation also destroys or damages healthy cells.

 

Antioxidants help prevent widespread cellular destruction by willingly donating components to stabilise free radicals. More importantly, antioxidants return to the surface of the cell to stabilise other cellular components.

 

When there are not enough antioxidants to hold peroxidation in check, free radicals begin damaging healthy cells, which can lead to problems. For example, free radical damage to immune cells can lead to an increased risk of infections.

 

Antioxidants in IAMS™ adult dog and puppy foods

Antioxidants offer countless benefits to our furry friends. And it is imperative that their food is loaded with it. Want to know why? Read on.

 

Why do dogs need antioxidants?

Antioxidants are a must for dogs as they are exposed to significantly more toxins than humans. These antioxidants work like protective agents within the dog’s body, battling free radicals that cause symptoms and diseases like skin problems.

Furthermore, giving liver antioxidants for dogs will boost liver health and eliminate toxins from their body more efficiently. The liver will convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins to easily flush them from your pet’s body through the GI tract and kidneys.

Recent research has examined the benefits of certain antioxidants on the immune response of dogs, and the results of these studies indicated that antioxidants are important in helping dogs maintain a healthy immune system.

IAMS™ adult and puppy formulas contain optimal levels of antioxidants such as:

 

Antioxidant

Source

Function

Vitamin E

Plant oil extract and tocopherols

Optimizes immune system’s T-cell activation

Beta-carotene

Vitamin premix, corn meal, chicken by-product meal and chicken fat

Optimizes types of cells present in the blood,
increases antibody levels in the blood
 

 

Now that you know how dog food with antioxidants can benefit your dog, here’s a list of the best antioxidants for dogs: 
 

Best antioxidants for dogs

Vitamin C

  • One of the most essential vitamins for a dog's health
  • Aids in wound healing and reducing inflammation
  • Provides energy so your dog can enjoy playing outside all day

Vitamin E

  • One of the best antioxidants for dogs with cancer
  • Provides a natural boost to the immune system
  • Supports healthy blood vessels and protects against diabetes and heart disease

Beta-carotene

  • It is a fantastic dietary addition for your dog.
  • Helps boost the number of antibodies in blood and offers additional protection against diseases in older dogs

 

Polyphenols

  • Excellent antioxidants for dogs as they help maintain your pet’s health and strength for many years
  • Shields from diseases like cancer or diabetes 

 

Sources of antioxidants for dogs

You can find natural antioxidants for dogs in the following:

 

Fruits and vegetables

The antioxidant content of plant-based foods is high. Foods that are highest in antioxidants are fruits and vegetables as they are loaded with vitamins and beneficial in countless ways. Some examples of excellent sources of antioxidants are blueberries, strawberries, pears, red cabbages, and kale. Make sure to check which fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog to consume. 


Supplements

Give your dog the best vitamins you can, so your pooch stays healthy. It is crucial that dogs receive a supplement that is specifically designed for their life stage. 

 

Look for dog food with antioxidants and nutrients that are bioactive and bioavailable so that these get absorbed properly into your dog’s body. Make sure that the supplement you choose has the ideal ratio of natural elements for your pet’s needs. That can be accomplished by looking for a combination of prebiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

 

For a healthy body from the inside, you can also feed your pooch IAMSTM Proactive HealthTM dog food. Find the products that are best for your dog by shopping based on your pet’s age.

Frequently asked questions about Best Antioxidants for Dogs

  1. What foods have antioxidants?
  2. Fruits, nuts, berries, and vegetables are common foods that act as good sources of antioxidants. Giving your dog an antioxidant-rich diet will aid in the battle against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of any illnesses.

  3. What foods promote healing in dogs?
  4. Foods such as organ meats, mushrooms, eggs, bone broth, and raw goat milk speed up the healing of cuts, wounds, and other injuries in dogs.

  5. Can too many antioxidants be harmful to dogs?
  6. The benefits of antioxidants for dogs are innumerable; however, it is always advisable to consult your veterinarian on the right dosage of antioxidants for your pet.

  7. What are the 3 main antioxidants for dogs?
  8. Three of the most important antioxidant vitamins are Vitamin E+C, selenium, and beta-carotene.

  9. Do antioxidants help dogs?
  10. Antioxidant-rich foods for dogs help prevent damages due to free radicals. An adequate intake of antioxidants can help boost your dog’s immunity.

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    Rabies in Puppies: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

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    Rabies is one of the most serious health risks every pet parent must be aware of. In puppies primarily, this disease can manifest itself in particularly severe forms and often goes undiagnosed until it has already progressed to its later stages. Understanding the signs and symptoms of rabies in puppies can help you act as quickly as possible if your beloved pup ever becomes infected with this potentially fatal virus. Please continue reading to learn more about what rabies is, how it presents itself on a physical level, and which treatments may help save the lives of affected puppies.

    What is rabies?

    Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of animals, including humans. It is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle spasms, and paralysis. If left untreated, it can lead to coma and death. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rabies.

    Do puppies have rabies?

    Puppies can contract rabies just like any other animal, but they are generally not at high risk for it unless they are exposed to a rabid animal or live in an area where rabies is prevalent.

    How to identify the symptoms of rabies in puppies?

    It is important to be aware of the signs of rabies in puppies so that you can take the necessary steps to protect your furry friend from this lethal virus. Some of the most common symptoms of rabies in puppies include:

    1. Changes in behaviour, such as aggression or unusual shyness

    These behavioural changes are often the first sign that rabies may be present in a puppy. Caregivers should watch for any aggressive behaviours or if their normally outgoing puppy appears withdrawn or unusually timid.

    1. Loss of appetite and thirst

    Suppose a puppy begins to lose its appetite or has trouble drinking water. In that case, this can indicate that it is infected with rabies.

    1. Disorientation and stumbling

    Rabies can make a puppy appear disoriented and cause them to stumble when they walk.

    1. Loss of muscle control and paralysis

    A puppy infected with rabies may have difficulty controlling its muscles and suffer from paralysis in some areas of the body.

    1. Foaming at the mouth and drooling

    This is one of the more noticeable signs of rabies in puppies and is caused by the virus paralyzing the muscles controlling swallowing.

    1. Changes in the tone of the bark or growl

    Puppies infected with rabies may make different sounds when barking or growling, such as a higher-pitched tone or a more strained voice quality.

    1.  Hydrophobia (fear of water)

    Puppies with rabies may be overly fearful of water, even if they usually enjoy swimming or walking by the river.

    1.  Tremors and seizures

    Rabies can cause violent tremors and seizures, which can indicate the virus.

    1.  Respiratory difficulty and choking sensations

    A puppy infected with rabies may have difficulty breathing as well as experience a choking sensation.

    1.  Progressive deterioration of the nervous system leading to death

    Rabies is a fatal virus that can cause the nervous system's deterioration, leading to death in some cases.

    Pet owners must be aware of these signs of rabies in puppies, so they can seek immediate medical attention if their pet shows any of the symptoms listed above.

    Potential causes of rabies in puppies

    Several factors can contribute to rabies in puppies, such as:

    1. Bites from infected animals

    Rabies is a viral infection that can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal such as a bat, raccoon, skunk, or fox. Scratches from an infected animal too can cause rabies.

    1. Contact with infected saliva

    Rabies can also be transmitted through contact with an infected animal's saliva such as through a lick from an infected animal.

    1.  Congenital transmission

    Occasionally, rabies can be transmitted from an infected mother to her puppies before or during birth.

    1.  Unvaccinated puppies

    Puppies that have not been vaccinated against rabies are at higher risk of contracting the disease.

    1.  Unsanitary conditions

    Poorly maintained or unsanitary living conditions can increase the risk of puppies contracting rabies.

    Prevention against rabies in puppies

    It is essential to get your puppy vaccinated against rabies as soon as possible. This disease can be fatal if not treated promptly and can also be transmitted to humans.

    To prevent rabies, your puppy should receive a series of vaccinations at the following ages:

    • First vaccine: At 12-16 weeks of age
    • Second vaccine: At 1 year of age
    • Boosters: Every 1-3 years after that

    It is also important to keep your puppy up to date on all other vaccinations, including those for distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis.

    Before vaccinating your puppy, check with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination schedule. Your veterinarian will also be able to provide you with more information on the risks and benefits of vaccination.

    While vaccination is the ultimate prevention for your puppy, here are a few additional steps you can take to keep rabies at bay:

    1. Keep puppies away from wild animals

    Rabies can be transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. Therefore, it is important to keep puppies away from wild animals, especially stray dogs and cats.

    1. Use a leash when taking your pup out for a walk

    This will help prevent them from coming into contact with wild animals and other dogs infected with rabies.

    1. Regularly check puppies for signs of rabies

    Symptoms of rabies in puppies include lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and changes in behaviour. If any of these symptoms are observed, it is crucial to contact a veterinarian immediately for further evaluation and treatment.

    1. Keep puppies indoors

    This will prevent them from coming into contact with wild animals and other dogs infected with rabies. If you must take puppies outside, supervise them closely and keep them on a leash.

    Is it possible that your puppy has rabies?

    Although rare, the possibility is real. To protect against this potentially fatal virus and quell any worries you may have, get your furry friend vaccinated with a rabies shot as soon as possible! If you are still concerned about their health after the vaccine, don't hesitate to consult a trusted veterinarian for advice.

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