Antioxidants are chemicals that the body uses to combat free radicals. And free radicals are substances that might harm the body if they exceed a certain level. Antioxidants are also beneficial for your pets, especially your dogs. Your dog needs antioxidants to help promote a healthy immune system. Hence, every IAMS™ dog formula contains optimal levels of these nutrients.
Antioxidants are naturally occurring essential nutrients that help maintain your dog’s health by slowing the destructive oxidative process of cellular molecules. IAMS™ research has been focusing on advancing antioxidant nutrients for senior dogs — and the benefit is improved immune function. Discover how the antioxidants in IAMS™ products can benefit your dog’s health in a number of ways.
Benefits of antioxidants for dogs
Antioxidants are found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Common antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and certain compounds called carotenoids (like lutein and beta-carotene). When antioxidants are a part of a dog’s complete diet, they can provide the following benefits:
- Slowing the oxidative process of cellular molecules.
- Reversing immune-cell function in senior dogs.
How antioxidants work
As cells function normally in the body, they produce damaged molecules called free radicals. These free radicals are highly unstable and steal components from other cellular molecules such as fat, protein, or DNA, thereby spreading the damage.
This continues in a chain reaction, and causes cells to die. This process is called peroxidation. Peroxidation is useful because it helps the body destroy cells that have outlived their usefulness, and it kills germs and parasites. However, when left unchecked, peroxidation also destroys or damages healthy cells.
Antioxidants help prevent widespread cellular destruction by willingly donating components to stabilise free radicals. More importantly, antioxidants return to the surface of the cell to stabilise other cellular components.
When there are not enough antioxidants to hold peroxidation in check, free radicals begin damaging healthy cells, which can lead to problems. For example, free radical damage to immune cells can lead to an increased risk of infections.
Antioxidants in IAMS™ adult dog and puppy foods
Antioxidants offer countless benefits to our furry friends. And it is imperative that their food is loaded with it. Want to know why? Read on.
Why do dogs need antioxidants?
Antioxidants are a must for dogs as they are exposed to significantly more toxins than humans. These antioxidants work like protective agents within the dog’s body, battling free radicals that cause symptoms and diseases like skin problems.
Furthermore, giving liver antioxidants for dogs will boost liver health and eliminate toxins from their body more efficiently. The liver will convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins to easily flush them from your pet’s body through the GI tract and kidneys.
Recent research has examined the benefits of certain antioxidants on the immune response of dogs, and the results of these studies indicated that antioxidants are important in helping dogs maintain a healthy immune system.
IAMS™ adult and puppy formulas contain optimal levels of antioxidants such as:
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Antioxidant
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Source
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Function
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Vitamin E
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Plant oil extract and tocopherols
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Optimizes immune system’s T-cell activation
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Beta-carotene
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Vitamin premix, corn meal, chicken by-product meal and chicken fat
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Optimizes types of cells present in the blood,
increases antibody levels in the blood
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Now that you know how dog food with antioxidants can benefit your dog, here’s a list of the best antioxidants for dogs:
Best antioxidants for dogs
Vitamin C
- One of the most essential vitamins for a dog's health
- Aids in wound healing and reducing inflammation
- Provides energy so your dog can enjoy playing outside all day
Vitamin E
- One of the best antioxidants for dogs with cancer
- Provides a natural boost to the immune system
- Supports healthy blood vessels and protects against diabetes and heart disease
Beta-carotene
- It is a fantastic dietary addition for your dog.
- Helps boost the number of antibodies in blood and offers additional protection against diseases in older dogs
Polyphenols
- Excellent antioxidants for dogs as they help maintain your pet’s health and strength for many years
- Shields from diseases like cancer or diabetes
Sources of antioxidants for dogs
You can find natural antioxidants for dogs in the following:
Fruits and vegetables
The antioxidant content of plant-based foods is high. Foods that are highest in antioxidants are fruits and vegetables as they are loaded with vitamins and beneficial in countless ways. Some examples of excellent sources of antioxidants are blueberries, strawberries, pears, red cabbages, and kale. Make sure to check which fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog to consume.
Supplements
Give your dog the best vitamins you can, so your pooch stays healthy. It is crucial that dogs receive a supplement that is specifically designed for their life stage.
Look for dog food with antioxidants and nutrients that are bioactive and bioavailable so that these get absorbed properly into your dog’s body. Make sure that the supplement you choose has the ideal ratio of natural elements for your pet’s needs. That can be accomplished by looking for a combination of prebiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
For a healthy body from the inside, you can also feed your pooch IAMSTM Proactive HealthTM dog food. Find the products that are best for your dog by shopping based on your pet’s age.
