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Maintaining a Healthy Immune System

Updated: Apr 2, 2020


How does one expect their companion’s immune system to be properly maintained? Not only do you put faith in what your companion’s immune system can naturally do but you also help support it being your companion’s care giver. SANITATION

While we should not allow our companions to live life in a bubble, one thing that really improves disease control is certainly sanitation. Clean litter boxes, food and water bowls and generally a maintained living environment can really prevent a lot of illness and disease.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS, SOAPS AND AIR FRESHENERS Along with sanitation comes products used to keep your home fresh and clean. Many cleaning produces, soaps and air fresheners contain various harmful toxins like bleach and ammonia which can be ingested, absorbed, or breathed in by your companion, easily harming your sensitive cat. Many will treat their yard for weeds and pests that are also full of chemicals, hard metals and other toxins. They can be tracked in on your shoes or if your companion is supervised outside, they can be ingested, absorbed, or breathed in by your companion as well.

Cleaning and treating your home inside and out with natural plant-based products are the best way to avoid harmful chemicals and other toxins coming in contact with your companion animal that could affect how their body functions including the immune system. (1, 2, 3)

TOXINS

Be aware of other toxins your companions could encounter such as those found in chemical flea, tick, parasite and worm products and home/yard treatments. Our companions are much smaller and much closer to the ground than we are and unlike humans they lick themselves ingesting many of these products directly from their coat and paws. In addition to ingestion, these products like flea and tick medications are absorbed into your animal putting stress on the immune system and detoxification organs like the kidney and liver. Deworming and parasite products often harm the gastrointestinal tract. There are many natural products that can be used to prevent, treat and control fleas, ticks, worms and parasites. (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

OTHER MEDICATIONS

This also applies to pharmaceutical medications like antibiotics, steroids, antihistamines and more. While these may be required in extreme situations, overuse or use when it isn’t necessary can cause damage to your companion, resulting in more serious health concerns. The best thins you can do is continue to support a healthy immune system, use proactive health care, attempt to determine the root of the problem and treat with natural methods first before resorting to pharmaceutical drugs. (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

VACCINATIONS

As discussed in all our vaccine related blog posts and articles. Vaccines are a huge stressor on the body including the immune system. They are associated with various side effects including chronic disease, cancer, kidney disease, and death. They contain harmful chemicals, adjuvants and other ingredients that contribute to various illness and disease and do not support the immune system as they are intended. To learn more please view the various blog posts we have made on the topic which includes a plethora of scientific resources and studies.

SPECIES APPROPRIATE DIET

This is one of the easiest things you can do for your companion. Not only are commercial kibble and canned foods highly processed they contain toxins, chemical preservatives, dyes, texturizers, ingredients like carbohydrates and grains that not only impair the immune system but are just not appropriate for an obligate carnivore. Just like humans a raw whole food diet is the best way to maintain a strong immune system.

Diet is one of the most important components of a healthy immune system because the gastrointestinal tract is the prime location for immunity. The nutrients your companion ingests not only helps your companion thrive but also, they beneficial bacteria and enzymes that aid the immune system.

For more information on a raw species appropriate diets which include a plethora of scientific resources and studies, please visit www.TheNutritionCode.info

REDUCE STRESS

Stress ultimately hampers the immune system. This can include territorial issues among animals, unsettling noise, pregnancy, nursing, veterinary trips, illness, disease, surgery, moving, the birth of a new baby and much more. By reducing stress or keeping it at a minimum your companions’ body can focus on other things versus trying to cope with things that may not be in their control or otherwise are compromising their immune system. (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)

EXERCISE AND WEIGHT CONTROL

Not only does exercise reduce stress it strengthens our immune system and keeps our weight at a controlled level. It is a well-known fact that being overweight greatly increases an animal’s chances of disease and infection as well as stress on the body and its immune system. Cats can be walked on leashes, they can run on cat wheels, climbing shelves are great fun, catnip toys, ball tracks and feather toys are all great options for getting that blood pumping. (19, 20, 21, 22)

ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants are responsible for dealing with oxidative damage and destroying free radicals. They boost the immune system and have been found to prevent infection, cancer and much more. Many whole foods contain antioxidants. Antioxidants include Vitamins A, C and E that can easily be supplied with a raw species appropriate diet. For more information on a raw species appropriate diet which includes a plethora of scientific resources and studies, please visit www.TheNutritionCode.info (23, 24)

HERBS AND NUTRACEUTICALS

There are SO many herbs and natural foods that have wonderful medicinal benefits. The following is simply a fraction of herbs and nutraceuticals that can benefit our companions to maintain a healthy immune system.

Curcumin – derived from the turmeric root. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer. (25, 26, 27, 28)

Colostrum – derived from the milk that mothers first produce for their young. Immune boosting, aid in fatty acid metabolism, aid in acute, chronic and autoimmune disease. (29, 30, 31, 32)

Full Extract Cannabis Oil- Derived from various THC, THCA and CBD strains. Blood cleanser, anti-inflammatory, stress reducer, anti-cancer, managing autoimmune disease etc. (33. 34. 35, 36, 37)

Silymarin- derived from Milk Thistle. Aids the liver helping the mast cells of the immune system, anti-inflammatory, destroy free radicals etc. (38, 39)

Krill and Fish oil - derived from krill or fish. Anti-inflammatory, support immune function, antioxidants. (40, 41, 42)

Glandulars- derived from secretory glands and animal tissues. Helps with gland and organ function (including those of the immune system). (43)

There are many more we could add to this list but this small list is just to give a general idea of all the awesome natural medicinals we can give to our companions to help their body function the way nature intended.

Minimal exposure to chemicals and toxins and providing an environment that is relatively free of stress is the most important for keeping your companion healthy and their immune system high. If these targeted areas are not a focus, no number of supplements is going to help the immune system and frankly will not make them very effective.

Don’t wait until you cat is sick to be more natural, to eliminate toxins, unnecessary pharmaceutical drugs or change their diet. Be proactive in your companion’s care and they will reward you with a long, happy and very healthy life.

REFERENCES:

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  2. “Chemical Exposures and Pets' Health.” EWG, 17 Apr. 2008, www.ewg.org/research/polluted-pets/chemical-exposures-and-pets-health.

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