Canine Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Canine digestive enzymes are active proteins that assist in your pet’s digestion. They help to break down his food into nutrients that are then absorbed by his body. The different enzymes that assist in digestion are protease, amylase, lipase and cellulase. Protease is responsible for breaking down proteins into amino acids.

Amylase reduces carbohydrates to sucrose, lactose and maltose. Lipase converts fats to fatty acids and glycerol, and cellulase breaks down fiber. Only if there is proper digestion of the food ingested can your pet maintain overall health and an active immune system.

Canine Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are found in your pet’s digestive system and also in foods such as fruits, vegetables and meat. A diet of raw and unprocessed food provides all the digestive enzymes that your pet requires. However, if you feed your pet commercial dog food, enzyme supplements need to be administered in order to prevent digestive problems.

These supplements are also recommended for sick and older dogs. Deficiency of these digestive enzymes results in problems such as malnutrition due to the improper absorption of nutrients by the body.

Causes of Digestive Enzyme Deficiency in Dogs

Overcooked and processed food is deficient in digestive enzymes. Your pet’s body has to make more digestive enzymes to make up for this deficiency and your pet will also find it difficult to digest his food. Older animals and sick pets produce fewer amounts of digestive enzymes.

Besides this, if the pancreas of your pet is affected by an illness, the dog will suffer from a deficiency of digestive enzymes. In all such cases supplements should be administered to maintain digestive balance and health.

Symptoms of Digestive Enzyme Deficiency in Dogs:

  • Unhealthy skin and coat conditions
  • Greater vulnerability to illnesses due to a weakened immune system
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Loss of weight although the dog ingests a good quantity of food
  • Increased defecation and passing of wind
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Bloating
  • Bad breath
  • Body odor
  • Lethargy
  • Allergies
  • Arthritis
  • Skin problems 
  • Premature aging

Benefits of Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Digestive enzyme supplements strengthen your pet’s immune system and help him regain digestive health. They are available in tablet or powder form and can be easily added to your pet’s food. These supplements can be safely administered as they have no side-effects and prevent your pet from developing diseases such as arthritis. They also increase the number of cancer fighting T-cells that are present in the body.

Popular Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Some popular digestive enzyme supplements available in the market are Prozyme. This is a natural supplement that can be sprinkled on your pet’s food. It aids in greater nutrient absorption in the body. Total-Zymes is another such product that has a wide range of enzymes. Alternatively consider administering Dr. Goodpet-Digestive Enzymes Canine Formula to your dog after discussing the same with the vet.

If your pet suffers from bloating and cramps after a meal, is stressed or has been treated with antibiotics, he should be given digestive enzyme supplements. A change of diet can also boost his immune system for optimum health.

 

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