Although inflammation is a natural process that occurs inside the dog’s body, in can be harmful if it becomes excessive. Inflammation in serious cases can cause a lot of trouble and irritation. For example, arthritis is a painful body condition in which your dog’s joints, bones, and muscles become inflamed.
Anti-inflammatory drugs can prove to be truly helpful for a dog, especially when the dog is suffering from the low-grade inflammation. However, this can sometimes only temporarily fix the problem. The best way to treat inflammation in dogs is with the proper diet. There are several foods that have the magical power to exert an anti-inflammatory effect.
Let’s deeply explore the given topic.
What are some anti-inflammatory foods for dogs?
Though there is no detailed scientific research on the given topic, it is evident from observations that the use of certain foods cause the anti-inflammatory effects in dogs.
Some of anti-inflammatory foods for dogs include:
- Antioxidant rich fruits such as mango and papaya.
- Lean protein sources such as fish or chicken.
- Butternut squash.
- Lean potatoes.
- Omega-3 rich foods such as fish.
Adding these foods to your dog’s diet can work wonders. All you need to do is to introduce them to your dog’s home-based diets. Just make sure to introduce new types of food slowly. This will help your dog’s digestive system adjust to the change.
Remember that fish sources are the most reliable anti-inflammatory food options for dogs, and the most effective anti-inflammatory is fish oil. Fish oil can also help cure a lot of other health conditions.
What foods cause inflammation in dogs?
The knowledge of inflammatory food is also necessary because prevention is always better than the cure. Certain foods have a higher proportion of inflammatory chemicals and can cause inflammatory damage in dogs. Foods that can cause inflammation in dogs include grains, and foods that contain Omega-6 fatty acids.
In the case your dog is already suffering from an anti-inflammatory diet, make sure to give it a grain-free diet.
Is anti-inflammatory food the only way to reduce inflammation in dogs?
As discussed earlier, medications also help greatly in treating inflammatory issues in dogs. However, there are also some other factors that contribute to inflammation that you should know about.
Studies have shown that dogs may suffer from inflammatory issues if they have gained more weight than normal. In this case, you should also work to promote and encourage healthy habits in your dog. Losing some extra pounds will not only relive the dog mentally but also significantly impact the physical appearance of your dog. Moreover, your dog will also enjoy a healthy lifestyle and remain free from inflammatory issues.
The Bottom Line
Though there is little research on the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory foods in dogs, there is no harm in introducing them to your dog’s diet. Their effectiveness is self-explanatory because various dog owners have reported the clear reduction in the symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions when feeding their dog these foods.
