Digestive Enzymes for Dogs

Enzymes are organic catalysts that initiate or increase chemical reactions in the body, including digestion, tissue repair, energy generations, etc. For digestion, commonly two types of enzymes are used - the digestive enzymes that come from the food eaten and the enzymes that are produced internally by digestive organs like pancreas. Natural digestive enzymes are essential for good dog health and longevity. These enzymes break down the food so that our body can effectively utilize the nutrients required to perform bodily activities. Unlike human digestive system in which the digestion starts as soon as the saliva comes in contact with the food, dogs do not have the same digestive enzymes in their saliva, and so have to rely on the enzymes available in their food and produced by the body.

How do Digestive Enzymes Works?

Digestive enzymes are excessively found in dog foods that have not been cooked over 118 °F. Therefore, food especially in its natural uncooked state, contains a high level of digestive enzymes that can greatly aid in the digestion process. When raw, uncooked food is eaten, chewing ruptures the cell membranes of the food and releases necessary digestive enzymes present in the food cells. At the same time, pancreas also secretes the right quantities and concentrations of digestive enzymes that help in digestion. These enzymes include:

• Protease: Enzymes responsible for breaking down polypeptides (proteins) into amino acids.
• Lipase: Enzymes that help breaking down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
• Amylase: Enzymes responsible for decomposing carbohydrates (starches and other polysaccharides) to sucrose, lactose, and maltose.
• Cellulase: Enzymes capable of decomposing fiber.

Benefits

Along with aiding in healthy food digestion and nutrient absorption, digestive enzymes for dogs also help in:

• Improving immune system
• Eliminating or reducing the habit of eating stool, called coprophagia
• Minimizing the risks of developing various degenerating disease like osteoarthritis, and toxin build-up
• Enhancing T-cell production, cells that help fighting cancer
• Promoting weight loss

Side Effects Due to Depleted Digestive Enzymes

If there are inadequate digestive enzymes present in the food, the entire digestive burden gets transferred to the dog's body, which forces the body to produce more digestive enzymes. As a result, there is an over-stressed digestive system which eventually causes improper food digestion and nutrient malabsorption. Further it may lead to undigested proteins, fats and carbohydrates that promote the growth of unwanted bacteria which eventually disturbs the delicate balance of intestinal microbes. This leads to:

• Bloating and gas accumulation in the stomach
• Canine diarrhea
• Bad breath and body odor
• Lethargy and sluggishness
• Weak immune system
• Arthritis like osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, etc.
• Skin problems like hot spots
• Cancer and premature aging

Hence, to overcome all these dog health problems, it is recommended to provide enzyme supplementation to the dogs for optimal digestion and toxin elimination. Digestive enzymes supplements are specifically beneficial for dogs who are fed cooked or processed food, suffering from digestive problems or disorders. Older dogs or dogs under stress who tend to produce reduced amounts of digestive enzymes, can also benefit from probiotics digestive enzymes. Dogs having weak immune system and suffering systemic yeast infections or thyroid problems like hypothyroidism in dogs should also be provided with enzyme supplements to over come dog illnesses or ailments.

Research shows that supplements for digestive enzymes for dogs are extremely safe and cause no side effects. Since these supplements increase the dog's ability to break down the food into nutritious components which keep their intestinal microflora in balance, providing digestive enzymes supplements to the dogs will help them attain a healthier lifestyle.