Antioxidants are being celebrated for their amazing benefits. When added in your pet’s food, they help prevent certain diseases and keep your pets healthy. But what exactly do they do?
Why antioxidants are important to pets
The key to understanding the role of antioxidants to your pet’s health is knowing what free radicals are. Free radicals are oxygen-containing particles that are of energy production in the body.
In normal amounts, your pet’s body can handle free radicals without any problem. But when these rise in excessive amounts, they can damage cells and enzymes. This affects your pet’s immune system and can create negative effects on your pet’s health.
Antioxidants are needed to neutralize and fight these oxygen-containing particles. Found in vitamin-rich superfoods, antioxidants help prevent damages caused by free radicals and can keep your pet’s health in good condition. Check your pet food’s ingredients list and look for these antioxidant-rich superfoods:
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are also known as a rich source of fiber and healthy fats. The nutrients found in flaxseeds can help reduce your pet’s risk of heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes. (Suggested dog foods: Addiction’s MEGA and Le Lamb Dry Food)
Kelp
A type of seaweed, kelp has carotenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids which all help fight free radicals. Kelp is also rich in minerals that support the immune system like iodine, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E. (Suggested pet foods: Addiction’s Viva La Venison formula for dogs and cats)
Berries
Sweet and tangy, blueberries and cranberries contain very high levels of antioxidants. These berries help protect cells against damage and has anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, these berries are very rich in phytonutrients that can help protect pets from diseases like cancer. (Suggested pet foods: Addiction Pet Food’s Homestyle Venison and Cranberry Dinner Raw Dehydrated Food for dogs and Addiction’s Duck Royale Dry Food for cats)
Spinach
This leafy green vegetable is loaded with nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K1, calcium, iron, and folic acid. Spinach can also contribute to your pet’s eye and heart health and may help prevent cancer. (Suggested dog foods: Addiction’s Raw Dehydrated Food)
Salmon
Salmon meat is high in Omega-3 and astaxanthin. A salmon-based diet contributes to a healthy brain, nervous system, heart, skin, and coat. (Suggested pet foods: Addiction’s Salmon Bleu formula for puppies, dogs, and cats)
Soya
Soya or soybeans naturally contains isoflavones, a powerful antioxidant that can help improve your pet’s overall skin and coat health. It also helps reduce the risk to certain kinds of cancers, heart and kidney diseases, diabetes, and hypertension. (Suggested dog food: Addiction’s Zen Vegetarian, a hypoallergenic plant-based formula for dogs allergic to meat)
Knowing what’s good for your pet can help increase their quality of life. Consult your veterinarian about antioxidants specifically suited to your pet’s diet.
Like antioxidants, isoflavones are an important phytonutrient to your pet’s diet too.
Does your dog tire easily? He might be lacking this important nutrient.
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