!44: Digestive Enzymes and the Benefits of Supplements For Dogs and Cats

!±8± Digestive Enzymes and the Benefits of Supplements For Dogs and Cats

What are digestive enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are active proteins that initiate and speed-up the procession of digestion. They work as a catalyst to break-down food into nutrients that are absorbed by the body. Enzymes are found in foods such as fruits, vegetables and meats, as well as in the digestive tract of people and animals.

A well-rounded diet that includes raw and unprocessed foods helps provide necessary enzymes to promote healthy digestion. However, dietary imbalances, illness, and aging can lead to enzyme depletion that results in digestive problems for dog and cats.

What are the causes of digestive enzyme deficiency in dogs and cats?

There are a number of factors that can create enzyme imbalances in pets. Issues often start with a diet of over-processed and over-cooked food where the food enzymes are depleted. This requires the body to produce more of its own enzymes, making it work harder to fully digest food.

As your dog or cat ages, the production of enzymes decreases, so many older animals require special diets and supplements to aid in digestion.

Dogs and cats also sometimes develop a medical condition where the pancreas fails to produce enough digestive enzymes. Animals with this type of condition may require digestive enzyme and other nutritional supplements throughout their lives to maintain digestive balance and overall health.

What are the symptoms of digestive enzyme deficiency in dogs and cats?

Digestive enzyme problems result in the improper absorption of nutrients and malnutrition. The result is low energy levels, unhealthy skin and coat, and greater susceptibility to illness. Additionally, it contributes to an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria in the intestines which can cause:

• chronic diarrhea
• weight loss despite a normal appetite
• frequent or greater volume of stool and gas
• coprophagia (a condition where the animal consumes its own stool)
• low energy levels
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

The Benefits of Digestive Enzyme Supplements

In addition to feeding your pet high quality foods that are not depleted of enzymes, you can use a supplement to add digestive enzymes into their diet. Usually, this is a capsule or powder that can be added to their food.

Additionally, if your dog or cat:

• has recently been on medication or antibiotics;
• may have ingested fertilizers, pesticides and other chemical pollutants;
• has experienced new or high levels of stress;

You should tie in the use of a probiotic supplement, which will replenish the level of healthy bacteria that naturally live in the intestinal tract.

These supplements will help restore proper digestion and dietary balance for your dog or cat, which will help their energy rebound while reducing the health risks that come with malnutrition.

Pets-like people-can suffer from a diet of over-processed foods, excessive use of antibiotics, and stress. There is increasing evidence that dietary supplements can help balance out these detrimental influences and restore a natural state of health. This holistic view of pet health can lessen the need for trips to the vet and allow your dog or cat to live a healthy, long life.