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A strong immune system in dogs – the best protection against diseases
Dogs come into contact with germs, bacteria and viruses every day. It can happen on every walk: the curious sniffer dogs find something they think is edible and eat it faster than we can blink. In the best case scenario, these contacts have no consequences, as the body's own defenses register and fight the harmful germs. However, our four-legged friends often react with diarrhea or vomiting. If the symptoms last longer than 24 hours, you should definitely seek medical advice. Puppies, older or sick dogs in particular often have a weaker immune system and can only defend themselves against such influences with difficulty. We can actively support our pets in building up their own immune defenses. Even in healthy dogs, strengthening the immune system helps to prevent possible illnesses as best as possible.
Would you like to know how your dog's immune system works, what weakens the immune system, what consequences this can have and how you can strengthen your four-legged friend's immune system? Then you should read on now.
How does the dog's immune system work
The dog's immune system serves as a protective shield against bacteria and viruses. Two different defense systems can be distinguished:
- The nonspecific defense
The first level of defense is called the anatomical barrier of skin, mucous membranes and hair. The skin is the largest protective organ that prevents pathogens from directly penetrating the body. The acid mantle and the microflora on the skin, mucous membranes and in the digestive tract are important factors for a healthy immune system.
If a pathogen manages to penetrate the body despite the barrier (for example, through a wound), it encounters phagocytes that fight everything that is classified as foreign and threatening to the body. They surround the intruder and break it down without distinguishing between pathogen types (non-specific defense).
- The specific defense
In contrast to non-specific defense, the dog's organism is also able to analyze pathogens. It determines the type of pathogen and can fight it with targeted measures. Thanks to the immunological memory, the organism remembers the pathogen and the strategy for fighting it. This principle also underlies vaccinations.
Dogs are defenseless when they are puppies because their immune systems are not yet fully developed and have no immune memory. A puppy absorbs the mother's first antibodies through its mother's milk, which enter the bloodstream via the gastrointestinal tract. The job of the antibodies is to activate the immune system and make it functional for the first few weeks of life. At around three months, these antibodies gradually break down because the immune system now begins to develop its own antibodies. A young dog must learn to deal with pathogens - this trains the immune system ("immunological memory") and equips it to defend itself against unwanted intruders.
Reasons for a weakened immune system
A weakened immune system makes it easier for pathogens to enter the organism. What factors can weaken your dog's defenses?
Factor 1: Age
As your pet ages, the immune system ages - not all processes run as smoothly as they did when they were younger. Age-related illnesses such as arthritis demand all the strength from the strained immune system, making it easy for unwanted invaders such as viruses and bacteria to invade.
Factor 2: Illness, injury/surgery and other body reactions (e.g. to medication)
Incorrect food, allergies, diarrhea, vomiting – all physical reactions that strain the organism weaken the immune system. Please search
In such cases always seek medical advice! Chronic diseases,
Injuries or inflammations place a lot of strain on the immune system.
Factor 3: Stress
Stress puts a strain on the immune system – even positive stress can have a lasting negative impact on the body’s defenses.
The most stressful situations for our furry friends include: moving, changes in the household (new roommates), new owner, traveling, dog testing.
Factor 4: Weather
The organism regulates the body temperature, which in extreme temperatures
puts a lot of strain on the circulatory system. In winter, salt is also often spread. The result: dog paws become cracked and more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.
Factor 5: Physical stress
After strenuous physical activity (sports, long hikes, etc.)
Due to exhaustion, the body is generally more susceptible to pathogens.
Other factors:
- overweight / underweight
- shedding
- Poor intestinal flora
- Too little rest/sleep
- Poor nutrition (nutrient deficiency)
What are the consequences of a weak immune system
A weakened immune system makes it easier for pathogens to penetrate the organism. Some dogs then suffer from gastrointestinal problems, colds or allergies more often than usual. Parasites such as mites, lice or worms also have an easy time and can harm your dog. These symptoms also indicate that your dog may need additional support.
What is an allergy?
If your dog's body reacts with an extreme defensive reaction when it comes into contact with a harmless substance, this indicates an overreaction of the immune system (allergy). Such misinterpretations of the immune system can occur when inflammation in an intestinal disease damages the intestinal wall. The result: Insufficiently digested food components that would not get there under normal circumstances migrate from the intestine into the blood (leaky gut syndrome). Insufficiently broken down proteins in particular are often classified as intruders and fought. The immune system "remembers" these intruders, which means that even after the disease has healed and the intestinal barrier is intact again, defensive reactions to the corresponding proteins can occur. We are now talking about a food allergy.
The solution: Stabilize and retrain the intestinal flora.
Tips for a strong immune system
With a few easy-to-implement tips, you can strengthen your dog’s immune system:
- Regular exercise in the fresh air with an intensity adapted to your dog's needs.
- Extensive recovery phases: Like their ancestors, the wolves (17-21 hours a day), dogs have a great need for sleep. During these rest phases, they digest their food, regenerate, sort and process new stimuli (especially young dogs). Make sure that your dog can retreat and sleep during the day.
- Balanced diet: Adapted to breed, age and living conditions. The rations should cover the animal's needs and support the natural intestinal flora so that the nutrients can be broken down and made available to the organism. Seek medical advice to ensure that your pet is fed as optimally as possible.
- Avoid stress: Increased blood pressure, restlessness and increased pulse are just some of the body reactions that trigger stress and weaken the immune system. Try to reduce stress factors for your dog as much as possible and ensure several rest days per week to compensate for stressful days.
- Cold temperatures and humidity: dog breeds with
Dogs with little undercoat (e.g. Vizsla or Dalmatian) can cool down quickly in cold weather or rain. Special winter or raincoats protect against the weather. - Paw care: Especially in winter, road salt, snow and ice attack the sensitive spaces between the pads and cause the skin to crack. Clean your dog's paws after every walk. Additional care: beeswax balm.
- Support during coat change: Coat change puts a strain on your dog's body and can weaken the immune system. Support him with regular coat care.
- Regular intestinal cleansing: A healthy intestinal flora is essential for a strong immune system. Probiotic supplementary feed can promote intestinal health. You can also support your dog by adding psyllium husks or cooked linseed to the food.
What does the immune system have to do with the gut?
Almost 80% of all immune cells in the body are located in the intestines. They keep the pathogenic germs and bacteria in check so that they do not multiply excessively. In this way, these bacteria keep the immune system constantly active - a real training takes place. Many trillions of microorganisms live along the intestinal mucosa in harmony with their host - the dog. There they form a natural ecosystem that we know as the "intestinal flora".
These "good" intestinal bacteria inform the immune cells in the intestine about intruders so that the immune system can become active immediately. The immune system is therefore closely linked to the entire intestinal microflora. Only a healthy intestinal flora promotes a strong immune system.
How can you actively support your dog's immune system?
By avoiding weakening factors and “feeding” the good intestinal bacteria so that their population increases and they can fully support the immune system.
The following have a supporting effect on the immune system:
- Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) Effect: Dietary fiber obtained from yeast cell walls that is not digested by the body. Instead, it serves as food for beneficial intestinal bacteria that can support the immune system.
- Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) Effect: Consists of several fructose molecules and is a carbohydrate. These are not digested by the body, but are available as nutrients for "desirable" bacteria in the back of the small intestine. The growth of these bacteria is thus promoted, while the formation of "undesirable" germs is reduced.
- Yeast beta-glucans Effect: Polysaccharides extracted from yeast. According to numerous scientific studies, one of the most effective natural immune stimulants. It influences the macrophages (“phagocytes” that immediately eliminate and remove intruders in the body), which, as soon as the yeast beta-glucans have docked, are strengthened and “sharpened”, so to speak.
This mix can have a positive effect on the young dog's sensitive intestinal flora. This can strengthen the immune system and enable healthy growth.
You should remember this
How the dog's immune system works
The dog's immune system serves as a protective shield against bacteria and viruses. It consists of various defense systems.
How the dog's immune system works
Dr.Clauder's for a strong immune system
High-quality supplementary feed helps you support your pet’s immune system.
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