Guest Post - Boost Your Dog's Immune System

I was contacted and asked if I would host a guest post and I said yes! (Turns out for me it was the perfect week to have someone else write the blog lol!). Enjoy

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Your pets are surely what you consider a part of the family, right? Well, this only means you will give your best to take great care of them. Still, just like anything in life, your dog’s health can rapidly change even with your best care for him. You will notice these changes by their behavior – changing of eating habits, peculiar poops, etc. If this happens, take them to the vet. An important thing: always consult with the vet before you give your pet any vitamins, change their diet, give homeopathic remedies and similar because different breeds need different treatments.

Here are some great tips for you to add to your fluffy friend’s diet to help them regain their good appetite, vigor,  as well as lead a healthy life overall.

Diet

Instead of keeping your dog on a regimen, why not go with healthy, organic diet? You already know that dogs are carnivores, therefore their meals should contain meat as primary ingredient. To keep your dog healthy you should give him food without harmful GMOs, hence organic is the best option. Naturally, artificial colors and preservatives are something you also want to steer clear of. Another option is to go with homemade diet that consists of fresh meat and just a little rice. As for treats, we strongly recommend you go with organic also or homemade.

Exercise

In order to keep your dog’s immune system strong, you need to have him exercising regularly. Walks, playing fetch, or any other game that will make your dog’s heart pump stronger is a good option! When your dog is on proper weight, it stimulates his lymph system and keeps him healthy overall.

Hydration

Never forget to fill the bowl with water for your dog. It is crucial for the dog to stay hydrated, especially in the hotter months. Water helps out flush toxins (just like with humans). If you are worried your dog might ‘have an accident’ during the night, take the bowl away couple of hours before your doggy’s bed time.

Coconut Oil

What piece of fruit has more anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral properties but coconut? None!

Triglycerides in the coconut oil promote energy for lethargic pups. They are also good for weight loss. It speeds up metabolism and is a great preventive from illnesses. Coconut oil will give your dog shiny and healthy coat as well as help dog’s digestive tract work properly.

Staying clean

Billy

In order to maintain your dog’s immune system healthy you need to worry about him staying clean at all times. Its bed needs to be clean, as well as pillows and blankets – wash them and keep them germ free. It is always an option to add 4-5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the wash, just to make sure you disinfect good.

Also, when you are leaving for vacation, you need to leave your fluffy friend with someone you trust will take good care of him. Everyone’s home has different types of germs, so it would be smart to have that person dog-sit at your house, just to save your dog from exposure to the new environment, stress of a new routine, potential disease and so on.

SCOBY

SCOBY stands for Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast, also called a Mother or Mushroom. If you’re an avid Kombucha drinker, you probably have cultures coming out your ears—I have 6 extras in my fridge as we speak! These are packed with probiotics that can help replenish the healthy flora in your pups’ gut. You can dehydrate them, or cut them up and give them as raw treats. Nimbus loves them! There’s not too much of a flavor, and I personally like the rubbery texture (yes, you can eat them too). A little goes a long way, so start the servings small, a few bites a day, and see how your dogs react. You can also give them very small amounts (a teaspoon to start) of kombucha tea, if they will take it (Nimbus will not).

Sam

Snuggles, cuddles, love and affection

You have heard of oxytocin, the hormone released when both people and dogs snuggle is what lowers the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. So, make sure you love your pet and show that love through snuggling, cuddling and other means so that your dog feels your affection. This will contribute to your dog’s health and happiness.

Diana Smith is a great dog lover and a proud owner of german sheppard Billy and a poodle Sam. She is interested in topics related to dog’s health and alternative medicine for animals. Useful information for this article has been kindly provided by Stefmar.