Nurturing a Healthy Immune Response in Dogs with the Right Vitamins

Inflammation may have a negative connotation but it’s one of the most miraculous mechanisms in the mammal body. When your body—or even that of your dog’s—senses a foreign invader, your and your pooch’s immune systems activate an inflammatory response to combat the pathogen it’s detected or to jumpstart the healing process.¹

But that bad rap is, in the end, for a valid reason: At times, the immune system—in a human, dog, or any other mammal—can overreact and continue sending out inflammatory cells when they’re not needed. This can lead to a host of health complications.

So, what can you do to promote a healthy immune reaction in your canine companion? Luckily, there is a bevy of ways you can help your dog stave away a detrimental immune response,  including providing natural supplements that support overall health. In this guide, instead of anti-inflammatory drugs, we’ll tell you all about using natural remedies like vitamins to encourage useful immune reactions and whole-body wellness in your furry friend.

Understanding Dog Inflammation 

To recap: Inflammation is actually an essential tool the body uses to respond to the threat of harm.² That threat might come from pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and other harmful microbes), damage from injury, or irritants like toxic chemicals and allergens. Whatever the cause, inflammation is the body’s way of saying, “I’m under attack, and I need to protect myself.”

The symptoms of this microscopic war can include:

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Rash
• Heat at the injury or infection site
• Fever

Next, let’s take a closer look at the two kinds of inflammatory response found in animals (and in humans like you).

Types of Inflammation

When dog inflammation occurs (or any inflammation, for that matter), it can be a short-term reaction, or it may continue for a long period of time. These two types of inflammation are called acute and chronic inflammation. 

• Acute inflammation – This is a rapid and short-lived response to an injury or infection. Redness and heat around a wound, fever caused by an illness, a rash caused by an allergen—these are all examples of an acute infection. In an acute infection, the immune system reacts in a well-coordinated sequence: inflammation starts, builds, and resolves when the injury or illness is healed.
• Chronic inflammation – This form of inflammation occurs when the body’s immune response continues over an extended period. It may be months, years, or a lifelong condition. With chronic inflammation, the body’s own immune process inadvertently causes tissue damage that doesn’t resolve when the original problem ends.

Can Vitamins Encourage a Healthy Immune Response? In a word: Yes.

Fortunately, there are safe and natural ways to help the body regulate the immune system’s response to real and perceived threats. Many vitamins, plant extracts, and other common nutrients found in foods have been shown to foster a smart immune reaction s in research studies on both humans and animals.

In the following sections, we’ll explore how vitamins interact with—and ultimately support—the immune system and how other substances, such as omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, and comprehensive supplements, can potentially spur head-to-tail wellness for your furry friend.

Vitamins That Promote Constructive Immune Responses

Vitamins may have the capacity to help modulate (turn up and down) the immune system so that it can perform its work without resulting in damage.

Vitamins (specifically antioxidants) may also support general wellness by neutralizing free radicals—harmful compounds that can accelerate aging and trigger dog health issues.

Here are a few of the vitamins that are especially effective at fostering a helpful immune response while also providing extra perks:

• Vitamin A – Vitamin A isn’t just a powerhouse when it comes to supporting eye health in both canines and humans. It’s also crucial for regulating immune responses and promoting gut and skin health.²
• Vitamin B complex – 8 forms of B vitamin make up what’s collectively known as the B complex: B5, B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. Each form of B vitamin is vital for bodily processes ranging from nerve function to heart health, but B6 in particular is a potent antioxidant. It may also help support immune function, energy levels, and cardiovascular health.³
• Vitamin D – D vitamins, especially vitamin D3, are crucial for proper immune system function by suppressing cells that work against the body rather than for. In fact, low vitamin D levels have been linked to a variety of dog health issues.⁵ While it may not serve as a cure for canine conditions, studies indicate that vitamin D⁵ might be especially helpful in supporting a controlled (and productive) immune response.
• Vitamin E – Vitamin E is one of the most effective antioxidant vitamins. It has been shown to reduce the release of free radicals by immune cells and prevent the activation of molecules that cause the immune system to go haywire. In animal studies, vitamin E has also been shown to support circulatory and heart health.²

Other Nutraceuticals That Support Immunity and Overall Wellness 

Not all substances that may encourage well-being are vitamins. Many natural ingredients found in plants and animals have been shown to have immune system-supporting effects and other advantages, including:

• Omega-3 fatty acids – Fatty acids are naturally occurring molecules found in both plants and animals. Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may be particularly effective at supporting the immune health of dogs while also shoring up skin, bone, heart, and eye health.⁸ A quick note: on nutritional labels, omega-3s may appear as EPA, DHA, or simply fish oil.
• Glucosamine – Glucosamine has been a popular supplement for promoting joint and mobility health in companion animals, and for good reason.⁹ It’s a molecule that’s produced naturally in the body, and it plays an important role in supporting cartilage and cushioning joints. Chondroitin – Like glucosamine, chondroitin is naturally found in cartilage and in the fluid surrounding joints. It’s often combined in supplements with glucosamine and appears to have similar effects in terms of joint and cartilage health.¹⁰
• Collagen – Collagen is a type of protein that helps to form skin tissues, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues throughout the body. As animals age, collagen production slows, and existing collagen begins to break down. An overactive immune response speeds up this process even more. Collagen supplements may counter this by offering immune system support while also bolstering joint and cartilage health.^11,12
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)  – This compound is naturally present in humans and other animals, as well as in a variety of foods. It has been shown to be an effective antioxidant, able to neutralize free radicals and modulate immune signals. It may also support cardiovascular, cognitive, and even gum health.⁷

Be Safe When Using Vitamin Supplements For Your Dog

Some vitamins are synthesized in the body (for example, dogs and cats can generate vitamin C, while humans cannot). Others must be obtained through diet alone (for dogs and cats, vitamin D has to come from pet and dog food, while humans can synthesize it from sun exposure).

This means that supplementing needs to be done carefully to provide vitamins that may be lacking in the diet without the risk of excess and/or an overdose. As a rule of thumb⁶:

• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) accumulate in fatty tissues and can become toxic if too much is consumed

• Water-soluble vitamins (including B complex and C) do not accumulate in bodily tissues and simply pass through the body if there’s surplus

Vitamin toxicity can be caused by different vitamins in dogs and humans, so it’s important not to use human supplements for your dog without your veterinarian’s approval.

Instead, choose a supplement designed for dogs that is formulated with the correct concentrations of each vitamin for your healthy dog’s age and weight. Always follow dosage instructions on the label, and be cautious about combining supplements with dog food that is also high in vitamins, such as certain organ meats or cod liver oil.

Improved Quality of Life For Every Dog With Vetericyn

A robust nutritional profile is imperative for dogs—for appropriate immune responses and beyond. This is precisely where a quality multivitamin may come in handy for your pooch.

Providing your pup with the broad variety of macro- and micronutrients they need to thrive f can be complex, but a properly balanced supplement cuts out the guesswork—leaving you with more time to savor your dog’s love and affection.

At Vetericyn, we believe that every dog is one-of-a-kind, and each deserves the best of care.

That’s why we created Vetericyn ALL-IN, an all-in-one nutritional supplement like no other. Our new enhanced ALL-IN formulation has been awarded 8 separate patents recognizing its revolutionary nutritional complexes and breakthrough absorption process.

Help your dog live their best life with Vetericyn ALL-IN.

 

Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle

Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
 

Sources:

1. Cleveland Clinic. Inflammation. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation
2. Nature Reviews Immunology. Vitamin effects on the immune system: Vitamins A and D take center stage. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2906676/
3. VCA Animal Hospitals. Supplements for the older pet. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/supplements-for-the-older-pet
4. JMBR Plus. Vitamin D and immune regulation: antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory. https://asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jbm4.10405
5. PLoS One. Low vitamin D status is associated with systemic and gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs with a chronic enteropathy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26333093/
6. American Kennel Club. 7 vitamins your dog needs for a healthy life. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/vitamins-dogs-need-healthy-lifestyle/
7. Antioxidants. Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on oxidative stress markers, inflammatory markers, lymphocyte subpopulations, and clinical status in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9394267/
8. In Vivo. Therapeutic effect of EPA/DHA supplementation in neoplastic and non-neoplastic companion animal diseases: A systematic review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8193331/
9. American Kennel Club. Can glucosamine for dogs help treat arthritis and joint pain? https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/glucosamine-dogs-arthritis-joint-pain/
10. Science Direct. Chondroitin sulfate. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/chondroitin-sulfate
11. Nutrients. Collagen supplementation for joint health: the link between composition and scientific knowledge. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10058045/
12. Rheumatology and Therapy. Role of collagen derivatives in osteoarthritis and cartilage repair: a systematic scoping review with evidence mapping. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40744-020-00240-5
13. PLoSOne. Efficacy of a dietary supplement in dogs with osteoarthritis: A randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial.  https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0263971