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Selenium Benefits for DogsSelenium benefits for dogs are numerous - from cancer prevention to protecting dogs from various diseases such as heart disease, IBD,
arthritis, and skin problems. Selenium is a trace mineral that has antioxidant properties and can be found in many foods, e.g. nuts, eggs, seafood, and more. Read
on and find out more about selenium and its benefits for your dog!
Our canine friends need antioxidants as much as we do - to prevent or slow down oxidation and cell damages.
Many people can name "well-known" antioxidants such as Coenzyme Q10, beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and so on.
However, selenium does not seem to receive as much attention as the above-named antioxidants. It doesn't mean that selenium benefits for dogs (and people) are
negligible. On the contrary, selenium is vital to the health of both animals and people.
This page takes a look at the following topics:
What is Selenium?Selenium is a trace mineral that is found in most foods and in every living cell in the bodies of humans and animals. When ingested, selenium is converted in the body to an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme acts as an antioxidant to protect cells from damage by free radicals. Selenium occurs naturally in soil. However, in many regions, selenium levels are low or depleted due to improper farming practices. As such, foods grown in such regions have lower levels of selenium that those grown in soil with abundant levels of the mineral. TopSelenium Benefits for DogsSelenium benefits not only people, but dogs as well. Selenium has been found to be able to slow down cellular aging caused by oxidation. It also promotes and preserves tissue elasticity; therefore, it can help maintain healthy membrane tissues. In addition, selenium helps maintain thyroid hormone levels and can combat inflammation. In dogs, selenium is often prescribed (along with other antioxidants and supplements) for a number of disorders, including: Moreover, selenium has been found have anti-cancerous properties, and is therefore often used in dogs with cancer. Older dogs can be supplemented with selenium for cancer prevention. Dogs with cancer undergoing chemotherapy also benefit from low doses of selenium supplementation. It has been shown that selenium can protect the kidneys against toxicity which may be induced by chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin. (Protection occurs without diminishing the ability of the chemo drug to kill cancer cells.) TopFoods Rich in SeleniumSelenium can be found in many foods, including nuts (especially Brazil nuts), seafood, eggs, cheese, rice, and more.
Supplementation and Dosage of SeleniumUnless you have access to organically raised food with adequate selenium levels, you may want to consider selenium supplementation for your dog. The AAFCO (The Association of American Feed Control) recommendation is 0.11 mg/kg of food (dry matter basis) for dogs. However, according to Dr. Messonnier (author of Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats), further studies suggest that this dosage could be doubled. Selenium should be taken with vitamin E because it works best together with vitamin E to help fight oxidative damage in your dog's body. Resveratrol is another supplement that has antioxidant properties.
Check out our page on Resveratrol Benefits for Dogs for more information. Share This Page with Your Friends!
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