Allergy by definition is "a damaging immune response by the body to a substance, especially a particular food, pollen, fur, or dust, to which it has become hypersensitive."If your dog suffers from allergies and you want a permanent fix please read on.
When you think about it our pets cousins still live amongst forests, mountains and grasslands as they have done for millenia, how do we now have allergies at an all time high? Whilst genetic and modern environmental factors such as chemicals can cause allergies, do we ever stop to consider how or why? Let's start from the outside and work our way in.
Table of Contents:
FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE
Your pet's skin/ coat play a major role in the well being of your dog. The skin/coatcoat is part of the immune system and provides the first line of defence against outside attacks/allergens. It's health and functionality is criticial to your dogs wellbeing therefore it needs to be in prim condition 24/7.
Skin and coat is the largest organ of your pet ( making up to 15% of total body weight). The dermis contains sebaceous glands that secrete sebum which lubricates abd protects coats the hair and skin. The epidermis contains specialized skin cells which produce keratin - a waxy substance that covers the epidermis to provide another protective layer prevent water loss through the skin.
The skin and coat is a protective barrier against chemicals, and environmental stressors, it protects the internal organs from external threats. Additionally, the coat protects pets against harmful chemicals trauma, ultraviolet light, and heat.
NUTRIENT STORAGE
The skin stores many vitamins and nutrients including protein, amino acids, collagen fibres and enzymes. Up to 35% of a dog's daily protein intake is used to maintain skin and coat. Linoleic acid and other fatty acids are stored in the skin and to provide flexibility and fluidity to the skin.
Fatty acids protect pets against inflammation. Minerals such as zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese are highly concentrated in the skin because they are necessary for many biologic reactions that occur in the skin.
Correct diet is required to maintain the availablity of these vitamins and nutrient for your dog and cat.
INTERNAL PROTECTION
Up to 70% percent of a dog's immune system is associated with the digestive tract. An unhealthy digestive tract means unhealthy immune system.
Dogs have hundreds of varied microbes such as fungi, viruses and different types of bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract collectively referred to as their gut microbiome.
Healthy microbiome is critical for your dog’s overall health, starting from mental health to nutrient absorption. When bacteria becomes imbalanced so does their health. Disorders such as immune system reactions, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), digestive issues, diabetes or even depression are results.
More then ever we are seeing a huge rise in microbiome-associated disorders in our pets due to a variety of reasons such as antibiotic medications, modern pet food diets, and lifestyle choices like being mostly indoors and antimicrobial cleaners.
Beneficial bacteria impact the gut health of your pet and are major building blocks for their overall health. The correct natural diet keeps a substantial amount of good bacteria in the gut’s microbiome, it strengthens the immune system and helps your pet fight off harmful viruses, bacteria, toxins and allergies.
THE SOLUTION
A natural raw food dietis very close to what sustains your dog or cat’s wild relatives out in the forests, plains and mountains where they are exposed to all the elements. Eating raw provides easy digestible key nutrients your pet needs without the additives, fillers that play havoc with your dogs immune and protection systems.
Nothing affects your pets health more than diet. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals are the essential part in the health of your pet's organs, gut, skin and coat.
Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) help protect the skin and coat and keep it shiny and combat inflammation. Linoleic acid is a key nutrient in maintaining healthy skin and coat. Many pets with skin issues are often deficient in linoleic acid. Dandruff, thin hair, discolored hair, increased shedding, and poor healing are all associated with low linoleic acid levels in the skin and diet.
Zinc is especially important in the skin because of the high cellular turnover rate caused by constant shedding. In addition, zinc helps reduce water loss through the skin. Pets who receive low levels of zinc are open to allergen attacks, develop hair loss, skin infections, and a dull appearance.
Biotin and B vitamins play important roles as cofactors in many of the body's metabolic processes, including fat metabolism. This is important in the skin because biotin and B vitamins are involved in aiding linoleic acid function in the epidermis and dermis.
Deficient and unnatural diets ( some "raw" products are also deficient in nutrients and packed with additives) require health support in the form of steroids, antibiotics and medications.
If the nutrients are not digested well and are of poor quality, not only will they be unavailable to meet the body's needs, but they will also cause the liver and kidneys to work harder to eliminate the indigestible waste products.
If you're dog has "allergies" and you're after a permanent fix it's worth considering and investigating the diet and does it really cater for your dogs health needs inside and out?
