Antioxidants for Dogs: Why Are They an Important Ingredient for a Canine Diet?

What pet owner wouldn’t want the best for their dog? Beyond the food you feed them, supplements play a pivotal role in your little buddy’s overall health. But with so many supplements and vitamins on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. 

Along with Vita Bully dog vitamins by XDOG, antioxidants are a great way to keep your dog’s joints and immune system healthy, as well as their cognitive functioning. Let’s dive into what antioxidants are, what they do, and how they can keep your dog healthy and happy. 

What Are Antioxidants, and What Do They Do? 

Antioxidants work by neutralizing reactive molecules such as free radicals. Some of the most common antioxidants on the market are essentials like vitamins C and E. In the wild, you can find these in colorful fruits and vegetables. 

The way antioxidants for dogs work is by protecting their body from oxidation. Dogs have a natural defense when it comes to free radicals, but it’s vital to keep that defense system at its best with regular antioxidant supplements. 

Why Are Free Radicals Bad? 

Free radicals are molecules with an odd number of electrons, making them unstable. As such, they can damage cells, DNA, and enzymes in the body. The molecules themselves are very reactive, and their high oxygen content commonly leads to oxidation in the body. 

This oxidation will most often present problems in the joints as well as in your dog’s immune system. The dog might have joint pain or even arthritis, which with their diminished immune system can lead to infections, disease, and even premature aging. 

Research continues to show that free radicals are a significant factor in canine disease and illness. The good part is that regular antioxidant supplements reduce the overall number of free radicals in a given dog’s body. 

Why Does My Dog Need Antioxidants in Their Diet? 

Many pet parents don’t know this, but dogs have a greater risk of exposure to toxins than the average human. As a result, they often suffer from a high amount of inflammation. Along with joint health, antioxidants for dogs help to boost the natural immune cell function in older dogs, helping to slow the aging process. 

Another benefit of antioxidant supplements in dogs has to do with vaccinations. Puppies and younger dogs getting their first vaccine doses still have fragile, developing immune systems. Antioxidant supplements help bolster that system and improve recognition of the vaccine by the immune system. 

What Are Some of the Best Antioxidants to Give a Dog? 

The best approach will depend on your dog’s age. Many supplements (including those sold by XDOG) will supply these key ingredients:

Puppies 

• Selenium: Selenium helps growing dogs and promotes a healthy thyroid, minimizes cancer risk, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
• Beta Carotene: Beto Carotene helps your puppy’s immune system recognize new vaccines and enhances antibodies in their blood.
• Vitamins C and E: These vitamins help improve healing, gum health, joint health, and also help boost your puppy’s immune system.

Adult Dogs 

• Polyphenols: Polyphenols help prevent major diseases such as cancer and diabetes, which increase in risk as your dog grows older.
• Vitamins C and E: These vitamins support your dog’s immune system and overall joint health as they continue to grow.

Senior Dogs 

• Polyphenols: Older dogs have more of a challenge fighting against progressive diseases. Polyphenols help with slowing down or even preventing severe illness.
• Beta Carotene: The antibody levels that beta carotene provide are perfect for older dogs, who need an extra boost to their immune health.
• Vitamins C and Vitamin E: Organs and bodily functions tend to decline the older your dog gets. These vitamins boost energy levels, protect joint health, and help keep the immune system strong. 

How Do I Know If My Dog Is Getting Enough Antioxidants? 

Some of the telltale signs that your dog isn’t getting the recommended amount of antioxidants will include symptoms such as a decrease in muscle definition as well as a lack of fat on their bones. If you can see your dog’s pelvic bones, it’s likely they’re not getting enough antioxidants. 

Other telltale signs of antioxidant deficiency include being able to see their vertebrae and ribs, even if your dog is eating properly. Vets will also be able to run tests and see if your dog needs an antioxidant boost. 

The benefits of antioxidants are almost too many to count and apply as much to younger dogs and puppies as they do to senior dogs. In addition, boosting antioxidant levels can help dogs who suffer from conditions such as arthritis, chronic inflammation, problems with their skin or fur, and various disorders involving the immune response. 

Antioxidants are safe for dogs, especially when part of a balanced supplement. They also help prevent toxicity and improve outcomes for dogs that suffer from degenerative conditions such as cancer or heart disease. 

What Are Some Antioxidant Daily Supplements? 

Multivitamins are especially great for dogs because they combine so many of the nutrients needed to keep your dog healthy. XDOG supplements will help with things like: 

• Antioxidants to keep those free radicals down and boost immune health and joint function.
• B-Vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, and B12. These help with brain function, skeletal structure, and joint health.
• Lactoferrin to help with bone health and immune response.
• Omega Fatty Acid to help with mood and sleep cycles and promote healthy aging.
• Chondroitin to improve joint mobility for older dogs.
• Alpha-Lipoic Acid to improve the brain functioning for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors. 

Where Can You Buy Antioxidants? 

Whether your furry friend is a puppy, an adult, or a senior, antioxidants for dogs are crucial for promoting joint and immune health and overall wellness. It can be tricky for pet owners to know what’s best to boost their dog’s antioxidant levels, especially with so many products out on the market. 

Supplements remain the best way to increase the antioxidant levels in dogs, and multivitamins are especially pivotal in maintaining healthy levels of the vitamins and nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy and happy. Learn why you should add multivitamins to your dog’s diet. 

To discover more health-enhancing products for dogs, be sure to visit XDOG’S website, where you can shop for everything from vests and accessories to True Beast dog food and enhancers and vitamins like True Beast in Show and Vita Bully. If you have questions, call the XDOG team at (877) 835-9364.