Do Dogs Need Antioxidants?
We all know that we’re supposed to fill up on superfoods – what about our dogs? Should they be scoffing spirulina and binging on blueberries, too?
Why Antioxidants?
Did you know that antioxidants might help to improve vision, brain power, and even protect you – and your dog – against disease?
Antioxidants are compounds which are found in fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, and seeds. In recent years, algae has emerged as an important source of antioxidants too. Essentially, antioxidants (a huge group of compounds which includes polyphenols, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and flavonoids) fight free radical cell damage, which can cause diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer.
Antioxidant compounds are particularly known for their potential to reduce inflammation, supporting a healthy immune response and reducing joint pain.
And what about dogs? Antioxidants offer many of the same benefits for them, too.
Which Antioxidants Are Best for My Dog?
There is a wide range of antioxidant ingredients available, but dogs don’t have exactly the same biological requirements as people – so which antioxidants are most beneficial for them?
- Astaxanthin. This has gained traction lately – it is a natural active compound which is naturally found in shrimp, salmon, crab, and trout. It is a carotenoid which is thought to enhance immune responses and inhibit cancerhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898833/.
- Vitamins A, C, and E. Choose foods rich in A (spinach, sweet potato, and eggs), C (mango, broccoli and strawberries), and E (eggs, salmon, and peanut butter). Or choose a supplement which combines all three.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 (as well as 6 and 9) is renowned for supporting immune, skin and joint health. It’s found in fish oil and green-lipped mussels/learn/dog-supplements/whats-so-good-about-green-lipped-mussels.
- Catechin. This antioxidant is found in green tea, and is believed to help defend the body against inflammation and maybe cancer too. (Read The benefits of green tea for dogs/learn/dog-supplements/the-benefits-of-green-tea-for-dogs.)
- Taurine. This amino acid comes from dark and organ meat, and taurine is naturally produced inside most dogs’ bodies. It’s a beneficial antioxidant which we add to our all-in-one The One – read about the benefits here/learn/dog-supplements/taurine-for-dogs-benefits-dosages-and-more.
- Selenium. Said to help prevent cancer and increase fertilityhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7915357/#:~:text=Selenium%20is%20a%20microelement%20which,synthesis%20of%20DNA%2C%20or%20reproduction., selenium is best fed in natural form, and can be found in foods including fish, beef liver, eggs and oats.
How Can I Introduce More Antioxidants Into My Dog’s Diet?
You can choose supplements featuring these key antioxidants, or you can aim to add extra active ingredients to your dog’s diet.
Whenever you introduce any new food to your dog, it’s important to go slow. That’s because dogs can have allergies or other problems which will cause a reaction. To check if a new food is OK for your dog, introduce it in a small portion on top of their regular diet – and avoid giving them anything else unusual on the same day.
The One is designed for all-round health.
Our all-in-one canine supplement is packed full of active ingredients which are selected for their natural benefits.
As well as antioxidants, The One/products/the-one delivers Omega-3 and prebiotics to support your dog’s movement and gut health. It’s simple to use, too – just sprinkle over your dog’s favorite food.
Further Reading
Read more about improving your dog’s daily diet/learn/dog-food/should-i-change-my-dogs-food. Learn which supplements could benefit senior dogs/learn/dog-supplements/5-qualities-to-look-for-in-senior-dog-supplements.