How to Naturally Boost Your Dog’s Immune System

There’s nothing most dog owners won’t do when it comes to helping their beloved pets lead a long and healthy life. Some even go a bit too far and overprotect their dogs, but even that is better than neglecting them. However, with so many medications and antibiotics on the market, we really need to stop and think whether we are actually doing more harm than good.

Of course, we need to trust our vets and if they prescribe a treatment, we simply have to provide it to the letter. What we can do, however, is work on our dogs’ immune system and boost it, so that our four-legged friends can become more resistant to illnesses and recover much faster after an illness has gone. Luckily, there are many natural ways to do that and we’re going to mention just some of them. Needless to say, you have to consult your vet before applying any of these tips.

Echinacea

It’s been widely accepted that this herb is a great antiseptic, antibiotic, digestant and blood purifier. By stimulating the lymph system, it helps remove toxins from the body, thus boosting the immune system. What is important to remember is that you mustn’t treat your dog with it every day, since it will soon become immune to it. Usually, the way to go about it is 5 days on, 3 days off. However, Echinacea should not be given to dogs with an autoimmune disease, because you don’t want the already overactive immune system stimulated even more.

Diet

The market is saturated with various supplements and dog food of dubious quality. You need to b aware that there’s nothing you can do to help your dog improve its immune system if you don’t provide healthy nutrition. Even though organic dog food is more expensive, it will keep harmful GMOs, artificial colours and preservatives away from your pet. Many dogs lead healthy lives on a diet consisting of fresh meat and rice and their owner make organic treats or buy them from specialised shops.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is another relatively recent introduction to the world of dog nutrition. With its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties, it provides energy to lethargic dogs and helps deal with weight loss. Another benefit is that is improves digestion and it’s also known to give gods a healthy, shiny coat. All you have to do is drizzle some coconut oil over dog food and let your friend enjoy it.

Hydration

Just like their owners, dogs need to be hydrated regularly throughout the day. This is particularly important if you’re living in a warm climate. Dogs who spend time both in the house and in the yard should have a bowl with fresh water both indoors and outdoors. The only time you may wish to remove the bowls is about an hour before bedtime and you do that only if you suspect there might be an accident during the night.

Exercise

Another key element, which has no substitution, is regular exercise. Even a short walk or a game of “fetch” mean a lot to your dog’s health, but they also have a great effect on the bond between the dog and its owner. Getting enough regular exercise is something no supplement can substitute and even the dogs who get all the attention in terms of food and care will suffer if they don’t go out often enough.

Cleanliness

You wouldn’t like to sleep in a dirty bed, would you? Well, guess what? Neither would your dog! Their blankets and pillows need to be cleaned regularly, so that you can remove parasites and germs. You could also use a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to disinfect all the materials that your dog gets in contact with.

Share the love

This is probably the easiest thing to do to boost your dog’s health. Each time you play with your dog or snuggle, oxytocin is released, which in turn lowers the level of cortisol, the stress hormone. Apart from the health benefit, there’s a great psychological one. Feeling loved and appreciated will help your dog grow self-esteem, which is almost equally important.

Treatment against fleas and ticks

Depending on the conditions in which your dog lives, you might have a lot of problems with fleas and ticks. Apart from being a real nuisance, they can also have a very detrimental effect on your dog’s health. With so many products available, it can be difficult to choose the best one, and you should definitely do thorough research before making a choice. Make sure you select a product which is safe and tested, if you want to get the best results.

Remaining firm

We’ve all been in this situation. Your dog has eaten up everything from the bowl and is looking at you, begging for more. No matter how hard it is for you to say “no”, you really have to stay strong and deny it more food than necessary. You know exactly how much food your dog needs and you don’t want it to become overweight just because it finds the food delicious. You can, however, treat it occasionally with a healthy, organic snack, but, again, the secret is to do it in moderation.

Know what food dogs can eat

Some products may be very healthy and nutritional, but they are bad for your dog. You need to know exactly what kind of food your dog can eat and it’s probably best if you consult your vet if you are not sure. You probably know that sweets shouldn’t be given to dogs, no matter how much their owner might enjoy such treats.

Most of these tips are actually quite easy to follow and don’ require any particular effort or investment. Still, it’s vital that you don’t introduce any changes to your dog’s diet or routine without consulting your vet first. It’s only through the collaboration between you and the vet that your dog can enjoy its long and healthy life.