Just like humans, a strong immune system is a must for dogs as well to stay healthy. Dogs often step outside for exercise, playtime, walks, hikes, or even pee & poop breaks. This is the time they come in contact with a contaminated environment or an infected animal, making them vulnerable to various infections. The ideal way, therefore, to keep your pooch safe and healthy is to take steps to support and strengthen their immunity. How do you do that? Let us find out.
Here is the information about how a dog’s immune system works, the reasons for weakening of the immune system, symptoms of dogs with a compromised immune system, and tips to boost a dog’s immunity. Keep reading to learn more.
How does a dog’s immune system work?
A dog’s immune system works primarily to defend the body from foreign invaders, like bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, etc., along with the harmful cells that attack and compromise their health. The immune response in the body gets stimulated by antigens. A normal immune response consists of recognizing a foreign antigen and attacking it to defend the body.
A dog’s immune system is made of three layers of defense against invaders:
- Physical barriers: Mechanical or physical barriers include the skin, cornea of the eye, and the membranes lining the respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive tracts. These barriers are defended by secretions containing enzymes that destroy harmful organisms.
- Nonspecific (innate) immunity: Dogs are born with this immunity. The components of this immunity treat every foreign substance in the same way. It responds to every foreign substance with the same response. White blood cells rapidly travel from the blood into the tissues of the affected body part, kill invading organisms, and remove injured cells.
- Specific (adaptive) immunity: This immunity is acquired by the dog. When the immune system encounters different antigens, it attacks the antigen and with subsequent exposures, specific immunity is developed. So the next time the body encounters the same antigen, the immune response is rapid and more effective. Dog vaccines work by stimulating the development of specific immunity and, thus, enhance their immune response.
Why does a dog’s immune system get weakened?
Various factors can weaken your furry friend’s immune system. Some of them include:
- Aging. As the dog ages, geriatric problems develop that require more support from the immune system, thus straining immunity and making the body vulnerable to foreign attackers, such as bacteria, viruses, etc.
- Chronic diseases, injuries or inflammation, and reactions to conditions like allergies or consumption of inappropriate foods.
- Stressful situations, like new living space, traveling, vet visits, or introduction of new pets or people.
- Exhaustion due to physically strenuous activities, such as sports, hikes, exercise, etc.
- Unfavorable weather conditions, like extreme temperatures.
- Lack of adequate sleep/rest and poor diet (nutrition deficiency).
Symptoms of a weak immune system in dogs
If your dog’s immune system has weakened, you will notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Recurring infections of skin, ear, urinary tract, etc.
- Delay in healing of wounds, such as cuts, sores, or surgical wounds.
- Continuous feeling of weakness, lack of energy, and lack of interest in playtime or exercise.
- Frequent gastrointestinal problems, like diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, etc.
- Chronic skin conditions or allergies, such as skin redness, itching, hot spots, etc.
Tips to improve a dog’s immune system function
Here are some helpful tips that can assist you in boosting your fur buddy’s immunity and improving their health:
- Provide regular exercise: Physical activity is one of the best ways to keep your furry friend’s immune system naturally healthy. It helps strengthen their bones and muscles and assists in preventing obesity. Exercise improves circulation and helps distribute immune cells throughout the body. Besides, a physically active pet is also happier and stress-free, which further improves their immune response. So Exercise Your Doggy For Great Health
- Feed a nutritionally-balanced diet: Feed your fur friend an age, breed and lifestyle-appropriate diet to provide all the nutrients they require for a healthy living. A nutritionally balanced diet helps support your pooch’s natural intestinal flora. As the gut contains almost 70% of a dog’s immune cells, a nutritious diet that supports gut health plays an important role in improving their immunity.
- Manage stress: Stress leads to restlessness, and an increase in blood pressure and pulse rate. It can make the immune system weak. Provide a peaceful place for your pet so that they can get enough rest and stay calm. Boredom can also lead to stress. Involve your fur friend in puzzles and plays that provide mental stimulation to keep them occupied and stress-free. Try to remove stressors from your pet’s environment faster to help them stay relaxed.
- Add supplements to the diet: Along with a balanced diet, include supplements in your dog’s daily intake to further boost their immunity. Supplements like, Lamberts Glucosamine Complex (vitamin E-rich tablets that help protect the body from oxidative stress), Lamberts High Potency Omega 3s (capsules to improve EPA & DHA intake of dogs to improve immunity), Dorwest Cod Liver Oil Capsules (rich in omega 3 to support various body processes), and other similar solutions can help provide the additional nutritional boost your furry companion needs to keep their immune system healthy. Budgetvetcare.com offers a variety of vitamin and mineral supplements for pets at affordable rates.
- Schedule regular vet check-ups: Your veterinarian can assist you with your dog’s vaccination plan, provide a tailored list of supplements and parasite preventives for your pet and help you find out what is wrong with your pooch’s health right away. It is, therefore, advisable to go for routine vet check-ups to ensure your pet stays healthy.
Before we part
A dog’s immune system plays an important role in maintaining their overall health and well-being. Knowing the reasons and signs of a weak immune system helps take necessary actions to restore the immune system health of your furry family member. However, it is best to be proactive and take steps to boost immunity and keep your four-legged friend healthy and thriving.