The Best Immune Supplements for Dogs
We've all encountered (or harbored) skepticism towards the supplement industry, and sometimes with good reason. When it comes to the pills and powders we spend our money on, we expect there to be some verifiable evidence that they'll be effective. But even in the realm of supplements intended for humans, there's a lot of misinformation and uncertainty. Plus, slick marketing often drowns out science. This is even more so true in the realm of canine supplements, where there's even less scientific evidence to turn to. So, we've spent time researching the matter, and after filtering out the noise and nonsense, we found four supplements that actually work. Some of these fortify the immune system directly, while others improve general digestion & absorption, indirectly aiding the immune system in a downstream way. Regardless of which you choose, always run your decision by your veterinarian to ensure that the supplement will be okay for your pooch.
Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites
Goodbye to Sneezing & Itching
A compromised immune system can result in a flaring-up of seasonal or environmental allergies. If your dog is sneezing more than usual and scratching & biting herself, there’s a good chance that it is immune-related. Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites come in chewy, grain-free pellets with a proprietary blend of pre- and probiotics, digestive enzyme support, omega fats to reduce inflammation, and other herbal ingredients that otherwise enhance the immune system’s functioning. The idea is that, in tandem, these ingredients can help regulate the body’s release of histamine, which is responsible for the inflammation that occurs in response to allergies.
This formulation is made without any artificial flavorings or preservatives, and although we can’t get verbal confirmation on this (yet), dogs seem to love the flavor.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Peanut butter flavor
- Salmon oil and apple cider vinegar for skin
Cons:
- Results plateau after a few weeks for some dogs
- May not totally alleviate symptoms
Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora
No Guts, No Glory . . . or Immunity
You may be wondering what place a probiotic product has on a list of the best immune supplements for dogs. Well, here’s the thing. Canine’s bodies are complex, and their various systems are constantly communicating, integrating, and overlapping. The digestive system, for example, plays a vital role in the organism’s survival. If the digestive system isn’t functioning well, this has detrimental, cascading effects on the entire body. A negative feedback loop is created, in which, soon enough, the immune system’s ability to function effectively is diminished. On the other hand, if the gut is functioning really well, this aids the entire body, including the immune system, both directly and indirectly. Aside from improving the entire organism’s health as a whole, probiotics can help promote the production of natural antibodies and other immune cells.
Now, you should know that the science is not totally conclusive on this one. Skeptics will argue that probiotics don’t show enough empirical evidence in canines, although the waters are sort of murky. Time will tell, but meanwhile, know that there is some research to suggest its efficacy, even if it is minimal. If you do decide to go the route of probiotics, at least to give them a try, we recommend Purina Fortiflora. It’s recommended by vets all the time for gastrointestinal disturbances, and its general effectiveness for stomach issues has solidified its place in the market. With extended use, many have reported that it also seems to really help with immune issues. Purina’s micro-encapsulation system ensures that the fragile cultures won’t perish in storage or transport. Bottom line: you know that you’re getting a stable, popular product that’s often recommended by vets for a myriad of digestive issues. Its downstream effects are not yet gospel as far as the scientific community is concerned, but perhaps it’s worth a try, because it certainly is the best of its kind.
Pros:
- Can buy in bulk to save money
- Also contains vitamins C and E
- Great to have in a pinch for doggy diarrhea
Cons:
- Not available in capsule form
- A bit on the costly side
Vetoquinol Triglyceride Omega
Somethin' Fishy is Going On
Fish oil’s effects in dogs are well-documented, so there’s little need to employ skepticism here. Aside from being useful in the management of canine joint, heart, or kidney diseases, the omega fats in fish oil can generally help to support the immune system. Vetoquinol’s Triglyceride Omega formula is a high-quality supplementary source of these essential fatty acids. The company claims that this product is “the only fish oil to achieve USP ingredient verification.” If that’s true, that’s quite disconcerting, considering the large quantity of fish oils on the market. But at least you can rest assured that this one is trustworthy. Sold in a big bottle with a no-mess pump, it’s easy to add a daily dose to your dog’s food by drizzling it on top. And if you have cats, this one will work for them, too.
We should mention that fish oil is also great for your pooch’s skin and coat, so don’t surprised if, as an unintended side effect, that mane suddenly seems to have some added sheen and luster. Also, besides the documented benefits of fish oil, we know that it can be dangerous if it’s not combined with vitamin E. For that reason, Vetoquinol fortifies this formula with the vitamin.
Pros:
- Has the National Animal Supplement Council’s Quality seal
- Very affordable
- May also help with seasonal allergies
Cons:
- Some pups dislike the taste
PetHonesty 10-For-1 Multivitamin
One a Day Keeps the Vet Away
In you’re interested in taking a holistic, whole-body approach to boosting your dog’s immunity, PetHonesty’s 10-For-1 multivitamin is worth considering. It has a robust blend of vitamins and supplements like chondroitin, glucosamine, probiotics, fish oil, and other vitamins. The formulation is intended to help improve dogs’ overall daily health, and as one of the most popular options on the market, it seems to do an okay job of it. While it’s less specifically beneficial to the immune system, its downstream effects can potentially help a lot. The vitamins it contains do have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that, theoretically, boost the immune system. Anyway, immune system aside, your dog could benefit from a healthier heart, shinier coat, stronger joints, and smoother digestion as a result of this multivitamin.
Pros:
- Aroma greatly appeals to most dogs
- Treats are soft and easy to chew
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Gives some dogs diarrhea
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it always okay to add supplements to my dog’s regimen?
No. Because the science is scant when it comes to giving pets supplements, you shouldn’t give them these products indiscriminately. We understand that you want to make your dog healthier and happier, but if Fido doesn’t need a supplement, it may do him more harm than good. Certain vitamins can build up in excess, being stored in your pal’s subcutaneous fat. With time, this buildup can become dangerous. So, as the wise saying goes, sometimes less is more. Always consult with a vet to be sure that your dog could indeed benefit from some kind of supplement.
Why do dogs need supplements, anyway?
Usually, they don’t. Ideally, if a dog is eating a healthy diet, sleeping well, and getting lots of exercise, she’ll be healthy. But reality doesn’t always match our expectations. Complications can occur at many levels that can interfere with the optimal functioning of a dog’s body. Whether it’s at the level of nutrition, digestion, respiration, or something else like a genetic factor, a dog may have some deficiencies that can be addressed with supplementation. When it comes to the immune system, typically, the best solution is to fortify the body in other ways, like using probiotics to improve gut flora health. This will improve digestion & absorption, which will provide the entire organism with more energy to utilize in healing and maintaining homeostasis.
Are all products created equal?
No. Think of this it this way. Every day in the human supplement market, impure products are sold to those who are none the wiser. Companies make false claims about the promising effects of their products. Sometimes, a supplement contains very little of the actual ingredients it claims to contain. All of this happens constantly. Can you imagine how much more lax the regulatory practices are for pets? Please know that if you’re going to be buying supplements, huge sums of money are being funneled into the marketing of these products, and far less goes into the research and development of effective supplements. Always be thorough in your research, and look to trustworthy companies that have third-party agencies verify the purity of their ingredients.
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