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​By  Natural Dog Health Remedies

Digestive enzymes for dogs are essential for the dog's 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. This page looks at information on digestive enzymes - what they are; how they help with digestion; and the various benefits that enzymes provide for our dogs.

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 are, however, extremely sensitive and can be permanently inactivated or destroyed by high heat, as well as elements such as chemicals in food preservatives, artificial colorings and flavorings, and so on.

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. (It means if you feed your dog foods cooked under high heat, such as kibbles or canned food, your dog cannot get enough digestive enzymes from the food). 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.

If your dog eats raw food, the chewing process releases the enzymes contained in the cells of the food. 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:

  • Protease - responsible for breaking polypeptides (proteins) into amino acids;
  • Amylase - responsible for reducing carbohydrates (starches and other polysaccharides) to sucrose, lactose, and maltose;
  • Lipase - responsible for digesting fats into fatty acids, glycerol;
  • Cellulase - responsible for breaking down fiber.
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 pancreas 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:

  • bloating
  • diarrhea
  • gas
  • bad breath
  • body odor
  • lethargy and sluggishness
With improper digestion and nutrient malabsorption, a number of physical problems will arise. Here are some common ones: 

  • A compromised immune system
  • Allergies (food, seasonal, etc.)
  • Arthritis (e.g. osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia)
  • Skin problems (e.g. hot spots)
  • Cancer
  • Premature aging

What are Other Benefits of Enzymes for Dogs?

  • Besides aiding in food digestion and nutrient absorption, enzymes for dogs are also essential for:
  • strengthening the immune system;
  • stopping coprophagia (the habit of eating stool);
  • decreasing the risks of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, and toxin build-up;
  • increasing T-cell production (T-cells are cancer-fighting cells);
  • promoting weight loss.
​​Enzymes for Dogs - Do All Dogs Need Them?

Even healthy dogs can benefit 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: 

  • are fed cooked or processed food
  • are suffering from digestive disorders
  • are under stress
  • are senior dogs (Older dogs tend to produce lesser amounts of enzymes. Many also suffer from zinc deficiency resulting in low immunity - enzymes seem to be able to increase zinc levels in the body)
  • have a weakened immune system due to medications such as antibiotics
  • are suffering from systemic yeast infections
  • are suffering from thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism (enzymes enhance the absorption of selenium which is an antioxidant that works in conjunction with vitamin E. Selenium is essential in converting the inactive form of thyroid hormone (T4) to the active form (T3))

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 - When Should They Be Supplemented?

If you want to use digestive enzyme supplements to help your dog with food digestion and absorption, give the enzyme supplementation with meals.

On the other hand, if you want to unleash the power of digestive enzymes to help with your dog's metabolism and systemic well-being, you can give the enzymes to your dog one or two hours after meals. Given this way, the enzymes will not be used for digestion purposes; instead they will be circulating in the dog's bloodstream to help with the following processes:

  • Stimulating the growth of new cells.
  • Detoxifying the body.
  • Supporting blood circulation.
  • Strengthening the immune system and increasing T-cell production.
  • Removing undigested proteins.
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.

A Good Product of Digestive Enzymes 

Prozyme

Prozyme is a scientifically proven, all natural supplement of digestive enzymes (lipases, amylases, proteases, and cellulases). Supplementing your dog with Prozyme (which can be sprinkled on your dog's food) helps replenish the digestive enzymes in canned and dry dog foods which are destroyed while the foods are being processing. Therefore, adding Prozyme to your dog's food ensures better digestion and absorption of nutrients.

http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/enzymes-for-dogs.html
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