What to Know About Supplements for Immune Support for Dogs

Walking into the world of immune support for dogs can quickly become overwhelming with the amount of options there are on the market. But the truth is, not all supplements are created equal. While many claim to support your dog’s immune system, the truth is that they may not have the ingredients or the ability to do so.

Supporting a Weakened Immune System For Dogs Who Need Extra Support

Dogs have an advanced immune system that promotes the body’s innate resistance to pathogens. This critical system plays a key role in helping maintain the general health of all ages and breeds, thereby enhancing the physical and mental well-being of your dog.

Several factors, including the dog’s age, breed, and overall health, significantly impact how well this defense works. For example, puppies gain a vital head start in immunity from their mother’s first milk, which is rich in antibodies. This natural immunity boost is essential for promoting the body’s innate resistance to pathogens.

As dogs get older, their immune system needs to evolve and become stronger to support normal detoxification processes. Age also affects immunity. Youth helps keep dogs in peak condition. As they get older, they may need help promoting homeostasis.

Fortunately, there are supplements with immune enhancing effects that may help support your dog’s immune system.

Help Improve Gut Health to Support Immune System Function

Gut health and immune health are intricately connected to one another. That’s why so much focus is placed on the gut and nutrition when discussing overall health and well-being, especially when it comes to your dog’s immune system.

The gut microbiome, a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms inside a dog’s digestive system, is essential for assisting in the digestion and absorption of essential nutrients. Animals can benefit from additional vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids.

The gut microbiome also promotes innate ability against pathogens which helps support normal detoxification processes. But when homeostasis is disrupted (AKA dysbiosis), the dog’s immune health can be affected.

Probiotics For Gut Health and the Dog’s Immune System

The use of probiotics and prebiotics supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, thereby enhancing the immune system. Enzyme and probiotic supplementation is a great way to ensure good health.

The connection between a dog’s gut health and their immune system is further emphasized by how probiotics helps support proper digestion and bowel health. These good bacteria are key for assisting in the digestion and absorption of essential nutrients and for enhancing the immune response.

Provide Antioxidants With a Healthy Diet

Your dog’s body needs nutritional support for healthy immune function. Essentially, their diet should be a scientifically balanced formula rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and essential fatty acids. Antioxidants should also be incorporated into the diet, through your dog’s food or supplements, to support normal bodily functions.

Antioxidants have been shown to aid in the elimination of unstable oxygen molecules called

free radicals. They support normal cell function and reduce the negative effects of oxidative stress.

These substances, including vitamins C and E, are crucial in assisting the body in combating environmental pollutants. Blueberries and spinach, for example, provide antioxidants, and could be a beneficial food to add to a dog’s diet.

Add Foods With Vitamin C For Antioxidant Support

Vitamin C helps decrease oxidative damage not only for humans, but also for dogs. It’s worth noting that unlike humans, dogs can synthesize vitamin C in their liver.

Vitamin C is involved in several immune system processes, including supporting normal blood values, which is crucial to providing supporting nutrients for the health of aging animals. It also supports the production of white blood cells, which play a key role in immune system support, and supports healthy cellular activity.

By promoting a healthy coat and skin and promoting the body’s innate resistance to pathogens, vitamin C assists the body in combating environmental pollutants. Given these functions, vitamin C is an essential nutrient for supporting and promoting long-term health and immune function of dogs, helping maintain the general health of all ages and breeds.

Adding in Omega-3 Fatty Acids For the Canine Immune System and Skin Health

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), support the immune system and promote healthy inflammatory pathways. These fatty acids are not only found in MCT oil (that is often combined with CBD oil as a carrier), but also in fish oils and particularly small, oily fishes.

Other foods that can be incorporated into your dog’s diet for omegas include:

• Green-lipped mussels: Feed green-lipped mussels to not only incorporate omegas along with over 90 other types of fatty acids into your dog’s diet.
• Sardines: Sardines are a good source of omegas for your dog, but make sure they’re sourced sustainably from areas away from the Pacific due to heavy metal toxicity concerns. You can also feed sardines as a source of antioxidants to fight free radicals.

In addition to supporting immune function, omega-3 fatty acids help animals achieve a soft, silky, shiny and healthy coat and promote healthy skin.

Colostrum for Dogs and The Dog’s Immune System

Colostrum, the first form of milk produced by the mammary glands shortly after giving birth, is a nutrient-rich, yellowish fluid that’s essential for a newborn’s early life. This initial milk is packed with a powerful mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, in addition to growth factors and immunoglobulins. These components (fats, vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc.) are crucial for nutritional support for healthy immune function.

Unlike regular breast milk that follows after birth, colostrum is much more concentrated, offering a wealth of essential nutrients in a dense form. It includes high levels of immunoglobulins—key antibodies that promote the body’s innate resistance to pathogens. Colostrum is rich in enzymes and a variety of protective substances that are immune enhancing and promote healthy growth and development during those critical first days and weeks of life.

The presence of these nutrients in colostrum not only helps in the physical development of newborns but also supports their immune system, providing them nutrients for a healthy body. Nutrients derived from colostrum have been shown to help support the growth of muscle,

skin, collagen, bone, cartilage and nerve tissue. The transition from colostrum to regular milk is a natural process that ensures the infant continues to receive necessary nutrients as they begin to build their immunity independently.

CBD for Dogs and Immune Support for Dogs

Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, has a fascinating way of working with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) found in dogs (and other mammals), which is critical for promoting homeostasis in organ systems, including the immune system.

This interaction is particularly important because the ECS plays a pivotal role in managing how the body responds. CBD for dogs is well known to promote normal, healthy inflammatory pathways, which can help support the immune system overall. CBD for dogs may also support the immune system by maintaining a normal inflammatory cytokine cascade, which are signaling proteins that help maintain a normal inflammatory response.

CBD for dogs has been observed to help decrease oxidative damage, which may help protect body cells and tissues, reduce free radical formation, and support cellular health. To add, full spectrum CBD helps coping with external stresses and has a calming effect on nerves.

Functional Mushrooms for Dogs

Certain mushrooms, including reishi, shiitake, and turkey tail mushrooms for dogs, contain beta-glucans that support normal immune function in dogs. These functional mushrooms are another option pet parents can add to their dog’s regimen to promote the body’s innate resistance to pathogens.

They are often used due to their immune enhancing effects for dogs with weakened immune systems, demonstrating significant benefits in supporting a healthy immune system in all animals.

Glutathione for Dogs with a Weak Immune System Reduces Oxidative Stress

Glutathione is known as a “master antioxidant,” central to fighting free radicals in the body and supporting immune health which may be particularly beneficial for dogs with a weak immune system. This crucial molecule is involved in various cellular processes, including supporting normal detoxification processes, helping reduce oxidative stress, and supporting your pet’s immune system function. By scavenging free radicals—unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells—glutathione helps maintain the general health of all ages and breeds.

The benefits of supplementing with glutathione extend beyond its antioxidant properties. It also plays a vital role in supporting proper balance of normal intestinal flora, which is essential for supporting healthy digestion and nutrient absorption and supporting normal immune function.

What Earth Buddy Supplements Offer Immune Support to Dogs?

Earth Buddy offers all of the supplements discussed above. Check out supplements that may support immunity here:

Earth Buddy’s Gut Health Powder

Earth Buddy’s Gut Health product contains grass-fed bovine colostrum for dogs (14% IgG), full-spectrum hemp extract, and organic blueberry powder. The colostrum is sourced from grass-fed Canadian cows free of rBGH (growth hormones) or bacterial medications. Add it to your dog’s food to provide them with the mixture.

Focus+Immune Mushroom Capsules for Dogs & Cats

Focus+Immune Mushroom Capsules for Dogs & Cats contain an innovative blend of our 5 functional mushrooms for dogs & cats along with our solventless Kief or CBD. This combination of immune enhancing ingredients is precisely dosed in a capsule form, but the mushroom capsules can be opened and powder can be mixed into your pets food or a light snack. This blend of organic mushrooms and the purest form of full-spectrum CBD for dogs & cats has been trusted by pet lovers for over 5 years!

Maxx-Life Glutathione

Earth Buddy’s Maxx-Life Glutathione contains a glutathione complex blend of liposomal glutathione, L-cysteine, L-glutamine, L-glycine, and alpha lipoic acid. The blend of elderberry extract, vitamin C, vitamin D, L-lysine, zinc glycinate, quercetin also supports the pet’s immune system. To top it off, each capsule contains a 1:1:1 ratio of CBD:CBDa:CBG.

Immunity – Organic Mushrooms for Dogs & Cats

Immunity-Functional Mushrooms for Dogs & Cats is a liquid extract that is freeze-dried into a scoopable powder. This mushroom powder is one of the most potent cat and dog supplements for allergies, cat & dog itchy skin relief, and provides immune support for dogs and cats with vulnerable immune function. Our 5 species blend of Agarikon, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Turkey Tail mushrooms is designed to strengthen the immune response in pets by increasing the production of immune cells.

Earth Buddy’s Immune Tincture

The Immune Tincture contains a blend of 5 functional mushrooms and elderberry extract to enhance the immune response. Their mushrooms are grown on organic millet, organic rye berries, and oak.

Verify with the Labs

Earth Buddy offers lab test results from a 3rd party to verify purity and ingredients and to offer consumers full transparency. Check out the lab results here to ensure the best quality ingredients are listed.

Check with the Veterinarian

Before you decide to introduce any new supplements into your dog’s diet, it’s crucial to have a conversation with your veterinarian. This step is especially important if your dog is currently dealing with any health issues. Your vet has a comprehensive understanding of your dog’s medical history and can provide personalized advice on which supplements may be beneficial based on their specific health needs.

Supplements can interact with medications or exacerbate certain conditions, so professional guidance ensures that your dog’s nutritional regimen supports their health without unintended consequences. Additionally, your vet can recommend the appropriate dosages and forms of supplements that are best suited for your dog’s size, age, and overall health condition, ensuring that any additions to their diet contribute positively to their well-being.

For further reading, we recommend: 

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3525174/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722199/
• https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1063458411001646
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10153001/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19386005/
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24349334_The_effect_of_vitamin_C_supplementation_in_healthy_dogs_on_antioxidative_capacity_and_immune_parameters#:~:text=There%20was%20no%20clear%20evidence,immunological%20parameters%20were%20slightly%20affected
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10276178/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7826851/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684115/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772753X22000120