Amy Thompson
As pet owners, we all want our dogs to lead healthy and vibrant lives. Incorporating antioxidants for dogs into your pup's diet can help make this possible.
While many are familiar with popular supplements like probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids, there are additional powerful antioxidants that can significantly enhance your dog's health.
Below, we'll explore the top five antioxidants that should be part of your dog's daily regimen.
Understanding Antioxidants And Free Radicals
Antioxidants play a crucial role in supporting your dog's overall health by combating oxidative stress.
Free radicals, which are damaged cells, can cause harm by stealing molecules from other cells, leading to a chain reaction of cellular damage. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals, thereby helping to protect your dog's cells from damage and supporting a healthy aging process.
Free radicals can be exacerbated by toxins in your dog's environment and food, which is why it's essential to provide antioxidants to help manage this oxidative stress.
Antioxidant Rich Foods For Your Dog's Diet
Before we get into supplements, you should also know you can get a lot of benefits from adding more antioxidant rich foods to your dog's diet.
This can be an easy, natural, and effective way to support your pup's overall health.
Here are some excellent choices:
- Vitamin E: Found in nuts and seeds, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps maintain healthy skin and coat.
- Vitamin C: Foods like green beans and tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, which supports healthy blood vessels and immune function.
- Green Beans: These are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great addition to your dog’s diet. They provide essential nutrients and natural antioxidants.
- Tomatoes: While they should be fed in moderation, tomatoes are a good source of vitamins and antioxidants.
- Berries: Blueberries and strawberries are excellent sources of natural antioxidants and vitamins.
In addition to the foods above, you can also consider integrating dietary supplements that contain natural antioxidants. Adding a reputable antioxidant supplement can support your dog's health, providing them with the benefits they need for a long and healthy life.
Antioxidant Supplementation: The 5 Best Antioxidant Supplements For Dogs
Eggshell Membrane
Eggshell membrane is a delicate layer between the egg white and the shell, offering numerous benefits for dogs, particularly for joint health.
Eggshell membrane contains several natural compounds that support overall health, along with other benefits:
- Joint support: Eggshell membrane is rich in glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and collagen, which are essential to support healthy joints and connective tissue.
- Mobility and comfort: Studies have shown that eggshell membrane can significantly improve joint function and reduce discomfort, to promote better mobility in dogs.
Eggshell Membrane Dose For Dogs
The recommended dose for eggshell membrane is 6 mg per lb of your dog's body weight daily. This supplement is safe and can be given regularly to support joint health and overall well-being.
Astaxanthin
This red pigment, belonging to a group of compounds called carotenoids, comes from microalgae. It’s what makes shrimp, salmon, flamingos, and crayfish pink when they eat it.
Astaxanthin’s powerful properties make it a valuable addition to your dog's diet. Its benefits include:
- Joint health: Supports a healthy inflammatory response.
- Immune support: Provides immune support to help combat free radical damage.
- Brain health: Crosses the blood-brain barrier to support brain health.
- Eye health: Helps maintain normal eye health.
- Heart health: Supports heart health to maintain normal inflammatory responses.
Astaxanthin Dose For Dogs
If you buy a supplement that contains astaxanthin made for pets, follow the label directions. When using a product made for people, assume the dosage is for a 150 lb person and adjust for your dog’s weight.
Most human supplements recommend 8 mg to 12 mg per day, which means you can give your dog 1 mg to 1.6 mg daily per 20 lbs of body weight.
Colostrum
Colostrum, known for building newborns’ immune systems, is also rich in antioxidants. This makes it a great supplement to an antioxidant rich diet for optimal health.
It offers several benefits for senior dogs:- Immune support: Contains Proline-Rich Polypeptide (PRP) which can help balance the immune system.
- Allergies: Helps regulate the immune response, potentially alleviating environmental allergy symptoms.
- Joint support: Aids in maintenance of normal joint health and mobility.
- Digestive health: Supports a healthy digestive system and helps maintain gut health.
- Skin and wound care: Promotes healthy skin and aids in wound healing.
The recommended dose for colostrum for dogs is 1/16 tsp powdered colostrum per 25 lbs body weight, twice daily. It’s best given on an empty stomach or mixed with a little yogurt or broth so your dog can get the most out of the bioactive and bioavailable nutrients.
Use it daily for one month and then as needed. For topical use, mix with distilled water to make a paste and apply to the affected area.
Green Lipped Mussels
Green lipped mussels from New Zealand are a rich source of antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and other beneficial nutrients for dogs.
They provide:
- Joint support: Green lipped mussels are natural sources of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are essential components of cartilage and joint fluid.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: They offer a sustainable and safer alternative to fish oil, providing essential fatty acids that support overall health.
- Skin and coat health: The omega-3s and antioxidants help maintain a healthy skin and coat.
- Heart health: Supports cardiovascular health and overall vitality.
Green Lipped Mussel Dose For Dogs
If you buy a supplement made for dogs, follow the dosing instructions on the package. For general guidelines, you can give about 15 mg of powder per lb of your dog’s body weight per day. For severe cases, you can double the dose for the first two weeks, then reduce it to the recommended level.
Freeze-dried green lipped mussel treats can also be given: 2 mussels per 10 lbs of body weight per day.
Green Tea
Green tea is known for its potent antioxidant properties, offering numerous benefits for dogs. It's important to use decaffeinated green tea to avoid the potential side effects of caffeine.
The green tea polyphenols, also called catechins, provide powerful benefits that can help keep your dog healthy, such as:
- Supports a healthy immune system: Green tea contains polyphenols called catechins, which support the immune system and help maintain overall health.
- Brain health: The L-theanine in green tea can support brain function, promoting cognitive health.
- General well-being: The antioxidants in green tea help to support overall health by maintaining cellular integrity.
Green Tea Dose For Dogs
To safely give green tea to your dog, follow these steps:
- Use 1 tea bag or 1 tablespoon of loose tea per 4 cups of water.
- Steep for about 15 minutes and then remove the tea bag or strain the tea.
- Allow it to cool and give 1/8 cup per 20 lbs of your dog's body weight up to twice daily with meals.
- Store the tea in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days, discarding it if it turns cloudy.
Caution: Ensure you use filtered water to minimize fluoride content.
Final Thoughts
As your dog ages, incorporating natural supplements and antioxidant-rich foods into their day can significantly support their overall health and well-being.
By choosing the right supplements and foods, you can help maintain your senior dog's vitality, supporting immunity, joint health, and cognitive function.
FAQ
What foods are antioxidants for dogs? Antioxidant-rich foods for dogs include green beans, tomatoes, and berries. These foods can be easily added to your dog's food to provide a natural boost to their diet and support overall health.
What are homemade antioxidants for dogs? Homemade antioxidants for dogs can include a mix of green beans, sweet potatoes, and blueberries. Incorporating these into your dog's food can support their immune system and digestion naturally.
What are the top three antioxidants? The top three antioxidants for dogs are vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta carotene. These antioxidants help support normal thyroid function, joint mobility, and overall well-being during your dog's adult years.
What are animal sources of antioxidants? Animal sources of antioxidants include green-lipped mussels and eggshell membrane. These can be added to your dog's diet through high-quality dog supplements and pet food to support normal joint mobility and thyroid function.
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