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Enzymes for Dogs
Enzymes for dogs are essential for the dogs' physical wellbeing. Unfortunately, cooked and processed foods are depleted of enzymes. It is therefore advisable to give enzyme supplements to your dog especially if she eats cooked or processed foods.
Numerous research results have shown the importance of enzymes to a dog's health. More and more veterinarians are now suggesting that enzyme supplements be given to our dogs to maintain and support their health. This page is put together to help you better understand what enzymes are, and why enzymes for dogs are important. In particular, the following questions will be answered:
What are Enzymes?
Enzymes are "organic catalysts". They either initiate or speed up chemical reactions in the body, from digestion to tissue repair, and from hormone function to energy production. Enzymes are present in every cell in both plants and animals; and can exist both in active and inactive forms in cells. They can, however, be permanently inactivated or destroyed by altering their environmental conditions, such as pH or temperature. Enzymes are needed to digest the food eaten. For this purpose, two types of enzymes can be used to perform this task - the enzymes that come from the food we eat (food enzymes) and the enzymes that are produced internally from the digestive organs (digestive enzymes). However, as mentioned above, enzymes can be inactivated or destroyed when there is a change in temperature. Specifically, when food is cooked or processed at temperatures 118°F or above, the enzymes in the food are destroyed. Without these food enzymes, the body has to work harder and create more digestive enzymes to fully digest the food. How do Enzymes Help Digestion?Food in its natural, uncooked state, contains live enzymes. It follows that if our dog consumes raw food, the enzymes in the food can greatly aid in the digestion process.When raw food is eaten, chewing ruptures the cell membranes of the food and releases the enzymes contained in the food cells. Also, when a dog eats, the pancreas secretes the proper amounts and concentrations of enzymes for digestion as well. The enzymes that aid in food digestion include:
What will Happen when Food Enzymes are Depleted? When there is insufficient food enzymes for dogs, the full digestive burden will be placed on the dog's body to produce digestive enzymes. The result? An over-stressed digestive system which eventually can lead to improper food digestion and nutrient malabsorption. And the consequences of improper food digestion? The undigested proteins, fats and carbohydrates promote the growth of unwanted bacteria which, over time, upsets the delicate balance of intestinal microbes, resulting in:
With improper digestion and nutrient malabsorption, a number of physical problems will arise. Here are some common ones:
What are Other Benefits of Enzymes for Dogs?Besides aiding in food digestion and nutrient absorption, enzymes for dogs are also essential for:
Enzymes for Dogs - Do All Dogs Need Them?Even healthy dogs can benefits from enzyme supplementation for optimal digestion and toxin elimination. With better digestion, our dogs will have less gas, firmer stools, and fresher breath. They will also have a healthier, shinier coat with fewer skin problems.Enzymes as supplements are particularly beneficial for dogs who:
Enzymes for dogs have been found to be very successful in treating stool eating, GI problems, skin irritations, as well as beneficial to dogs with allergies and arthritis. Enzymes for Dogs - Are They Safe?Extensive research has been conducted with pets (and people as well!), and it has been found that enzymes for dogs are extremely safe. No side-effects have been found from the supplementation of enzymes to dogs.
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