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8 Best Natural Antioxidants for Dogs

Name: Earth Buddy Pet CBD Oil for Dogs
Brand: Earth Buddy Pet
SKU: EBP-1001
Price: 49.99 USD
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Did you know the antioxidant market is worth over $3.5 billion? With so many options, it can be hard to know what's best for your furry friend.

We cover eight of the very best antioxidant supplements to support your dog's health.

Key Takeaways

Antioxidants are compounds that can protect the body from damaging free radicals.
Too many free radicals can put the body under oxidative stress, which can affect overall health.
Various whole foods contain antioxidants, including many safe for dogs like blueberries, green-lipped mussels, and some types of algae.
Other sources of antioxidants include CBD, glutathione, adaptogenic mushrooms, and more.

What Are Antioxidants?

You've likely heard the term "antioxidant." Perhaps you read about the importance of having an antioxidant-rich diet. Or maybe you've looked for antioxidant-rich foods for yourself in the past.

But what exactly are antioxidants? And why are they so sought-after?

Put simply, an "antioxidant" is any compound that has the ability to neutralize unstable molecules known as "free radicals." These free radicals can cause serious damage to your body (and your dog's body!) by interacting with your body's cells and DNA. ¹

As such, the term "antioxidant" refers to a specific chemical property, rather than any nutritional value. But because antioxidants neutralize free radicals, they are, in fact, often nutritionally beneficial.

Combating Free Radical Damage

Hold on. Why don't we just avoid free radicals in the first place? Unfortunately, that's not possible.

Free radicals are formed naturally as a byproduct of many activities. Exercise, for example, can cause the formation of free radicals. So can exposure to air pollution, cigarette smoke, sunlight... the list goes on. ²

In fact, free radicals are even generated by our body (and our dog's body) when we convert food into energy.

But free radicals are particularly dangerous when concentrated. They can cause all kinds of damage to human and dog bodies. When a body has an excess of free radicals, it's considered to be under oxidative stress.

That's where antioxidants come in. Humans and dogs produce some antioxidants naturally. These aren't always enough to combat free radical damage, though.

Which is why we turn to antioxidant-rich foods and supplements.

Bonus: Why Is My Dog Pacing: 3 Reasons and How to Help Them

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Potential Benefits of Antioxidant Supplementation

You can likely guess the main benefit of antioxidant supplements. They can neutralize free radicals, protecting your body (and your dog's body) from oxidative stress.

Antioxidants have other benefits, too. Research shows they have anti-aging properties, for example. They can also support a normal inflammatory response. ³

Research even suggests antioxidants may help prevent the kinds of free radical damage associated with the development of cancer. ⁴

Crafting an Antioxidant-Rich Diet

Remember, antioxidants aren't all the same. They only share one specific chemical property: the ability to neutralize free radicals.

Besides that similarity, antioxidants can vary wildly. Some may be helpful to humans but deadly for dogs.

Grapes, for example, are full of antioxidants. But they are highly toxic to dogs. ⁵

As such, it's important to know which specific antioxidants are best suited for your furry friend.

8 Best Antioxidants For Dogs

#1. Glutathione

Glutathione is a molecule made up of three amino acids. It's present in most mammals. ⁶ Our bodies usually produce it in the liver.

It also happens to be a powerful antioxidant with many benefits. It neutralizes free radicals and can also combat other harmful compounds, including epoxides, which are often found in household cleaners. ⁷

Glutathione can help protect red blood cells from oxidative damage. ⁸ Studies have also found it effective in supporting liver health in dogs. ⁹

That's why we offer our Maxx Life glutathione for dogs, which contains a glutathione support complex to help decrease oxidative damage in your dog's body. Each capsule also contains other essential vitamins and minerals, including powerful antioxidants like vitamin C.

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#2. CBD

CBD is best known for its ability to promote relaxation. But it's also a powerful antioxidant. ¹⁰

Research shows CBD is bioavailable and safe for use with dogs. And some studies have found CBD improved various markers of health in dogs. ¹¹

We offer a range of products containing CBD, sourced from organic hemp. Our CBD oil is full-spectrum, meaning it contains hundreds of additional beneficial compounds produced by the hemp plant. We even carry CBD oil made with CBDA for additional benefits.

#3. Mushrooms

Many mushrooms contain powerful antioxidants that have been used by humans for centuries. Glutathione and ergothionene are just a couple of these powerhouse antioxidants that are found in mushrooms.

For example, a 2022 study confirmed that Reishi mushrooms contain a powerful group of antioxidant compounds called triterpenoids, which can effectively neutralize over 97% of free radicals. ¹²

Lion's Mane, meanwhile, has also been confirmed to have antioxidant properties. ¹³ So does Cordyceps. ¹⁴

In short, there are all kinds of mushrooms packed with antioxidants. We blend five of the best — Agarikon, Cordyceps, Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Turkey Tail — together to form our Focus & Immune Mushroom Capsules for dogs.

These capsules can help support your dog's immune system. And a healthy immune system is crucial to keeping your dog healthy overall!

#4. Blueberries

Blueberries are considered a superfruit or superfood for a reason. Research shows their antioxidant effects can support normal heart functioning and moderate blood glucose, among other benefits. ¹⁵

In fact, the very pigments that make blueberries blue (or, in any case, give them their distinct color) are a powerful group of antioxidants called anthocyanins. Blueberries also contain phytochemicals, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, all of which can help support brain health. ¹⁶

That's why we use organic blueberries in some of our hemp dog chew products, alongside whole plant hemp extract.

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#5. Decaffeinated Green Tea

Dogs? Drinking tea? Stay with us.

Green tea polyphenols, found in green tea, have a number of health benefits, including from an antioxidant perspective. ¹⁷ In one study, decaffeinated green tea extract reduced blood pressure in rats. ¹⁸ In another, it helped overweight people burn more fat and lower their cholesterol. ¹⁹

You probably shouldn't reach for a tea bag to start brewing your pooch a cup before bed, though. Caffeine is toxic to dogs, and even a decaf green tea dose can still contain trace amounts of it. ²⁰

Instead, look for specialized dog food, treats, and/or supplements with decaf green tea added.

#6. Green-Lipped Mussels

Green-lipped mussels have many health benefits, and studies have shown they have potent antioxidant effects. ²¹

As such, they may benefit your dog in many different ways. For example, one study from 2013 found that a diet enriched with green-lipped mussels resulted in improvements to gait function and concentrations of omega fatty acids in blood plasma. ²²

Another study, this time from 2024, found that green-lipped mussel extract plus krill oil extract helped enhance joint health in dogs in less than two months. ²³ That adds to a separate study from 2002, which found similar improvements in dogs fed green-lipped mussels. ²⁴

As that final study noted, it's important to be careful when preparing mussels for your dog. If you heat it up, you might destroy the beneficial compounds.

#7. Algae

Algae might not seem terribly healthy, but these tiny creatures are responsible for multiple supplements that can bring notable health benefits to dogs.

Spirulina, for example, has been eaten by humans for hundreds of years. One study from 2021 found that Spirulina had immune-enhancing effects. ²⁵

Another algae-derived antioxidant supplement, astaxanthin, is widely used by humans. One study from 2019, which gave the supplement to beagles, found that astaxanthin improved antioxidant function and supported liver health. ²⁶ Another older study found that astaxanthin reduced oxidative stress and enhanced the immune response in female beagles. ²⁷

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#8. Turmeric

Because it’s high in curcumin, turmeric is a potent antioxidant that can help reduce levels of oxidative stress. ²⁸

In one study, dogs who had turmeric added to their diet displayed less oxidative stress. ²⁹ Other studies have found turmeric useful in supporting bone and joint health in dogs. ³⁰

Other Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Plenty of other foods that are safe for dogs contain antioxidants. Some examples:

Sweet potatoes (good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E) ³¹
Salmon (high in vitamin E, an antioxidant) ³²
Fish oil
Beta carotene (enhances the immune response in senior dogs) ³³

Conclusion

Antioxidants play an important role in maintaining the overall health of our furry friends, especially as our dogs age. They can support immune function, joint health, healthy skin, cognitive function, and much more.

As such, you might consider adding antioxidant supplements to your dog's diet. That could involve adding ingredients like blueberries or green-lipped mussels to your pet's food.

Alternatively, you could grab specially formulated dietary supplements, like those we offer. They're full of bioactive and bioavailable nutrients, natural compounds that can significantly decrease oxidative stress and promote various health benefits.

Just remember that supplements should be part of a measured diet that contains all essential nutrients and balanced nutrition.

Keep Reading: 6 Signs Your Dog Is Unhappy, And Ways You Can Help

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.