Canine Athletic Stress and Immunity Boosting on a Budget

In most states both upland and waterfowl seasons are already open. As hunters we will put our four legged partners under a great deal of athletic stress over the course of the next few months. With stress, just like us humans, comes an adverse effect on a canines immune system. As long, cold, wet hunts increase, a decrease in a dogs immune system occurs therefore increasing their risk of infection and illness. One way to help your dog garner back some of this stress related immunity loss is to supplement their regular diet with a healthy and regular dose of Beta-Carotene.

Beta-Carotene(BC) comes from the family of vitamins called carotenoids. Carotenoids are those dark dark red pigments that help color vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and yellow bell peppers. Fact is, dogs can not make there own BC so they must find or be given a digestable source by us humans. Canines do however posses an enzyme in their intestines that converts BC into a highly active form of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is extremely important to support the health of a dogs respiratory and and intestinal tract. Basically, BC converted to Vit A strengthens the internal membranes that line both the lungs and the intestines. Both the lungs and intestines are where foreign pathogens are more likely to enter a dog's system. So common sense dictates giving these two areas a nutrient boost will help ward of bacterial infections or airborne viruses. 

But BC is not just a one trick pony or magic bullet. BC must be supplemented on a regular basis and over long periods of time to increase the absorption rate into the dogs system.  Not only will this prolonged supplement of BC increase the respiratory and intestinal health, it has been also found to highly increase the strength and functionality of lymphnodes that also play a huge part in fighting off infections. Recent studies also show the dogs supplemented with BC also show higher levels of anitbodies than dogs that are not supplemented.

Ok, so I know what you're thinking.  This is the time when I'm going to pitch some high dollar, multi deluxe, super, supreme, cure all type, vitamin supplement that can only be found by ordering it online from some obscure company in Sweden. Nope. Not this blue collar guy. Just go down to your local grocery store and buy a bag of fresh, organic baby carrots for less than $5. Switch out those nutrionally worthless doggie cookie treats with a hand full of fresh baby carrots everyday.

For less than $20 a month your hunting buddy is getting a snack that they will absolutely love to chomp into. Which, come to think of it, is probaby a few bucks less than a big bag of cookie treats and much more healthier and much cheaper than any over the counter pill form supplement. Even better, you know it will give them a great source of natural, organically derived BC and other essential vitamins to help fight off the nasties. Plus, we all know carrots improve our vision which is another positve side effect of BC! An additonal bonus to feeding baby carrots is because of their rough texture they also help clean teeth and gums very well! So it's a win(vitamin supplement), win(money saving), win(treat giving), win(teeth cleaning) four way winner of a deal to help increase your four legged hunting partners health and well being while saving you a few bucks along the way. 

Best of Luck Out There,

Mark