DIgestive Enzymes: Crucial to Your Dog’s Health
Digestive enzymes are naturally produced in dog’s bodies; however, some dogs have a condition known as EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) which prevents the dog from making these necessary enzymes. Dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency often eat tremendous amounts of food but never seem to gain weight; they also tend to have loose stools that are greasy, and diarrhea is common among dogs with EPI. Because the pancreas is not producing the proper digestive enzymes, pet parents must give dogs affected by Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency a powder that includes the necessary ingredients just prior to feeding them.
Although the syndrome can appear in any breed of dog, it is thought to be genetically inherited in German Shepherds. As stated previously, when dogs present symptoms of EPI, they often eat a great deal of food, but they don’t gain weight. Depending upon exactly which digestive enzymes are not produced by the pancreas, a dog with EPI is unable to pull nutrients from the food consumed. Considering previous information regarding digestive enzymes and what types of nutrients they break down, determining the digestive enzyme (or enzymes) that the dog’s pancreas is failing to produce is imperative. Although taking in extra (read: unnecessary) digestive enzymes is not dangerous to your dog’s health, it can cause diarrhea in a dog that is already experiencing this issue due to an inability to properly digest food. Furthermore, it is possible that a lack of proper digestive enzymes can cause bacterial infections in the digestive tract of your dog, another great reason to consider possible digestive enzyme supplements.
It is also interesting to note that EPI is not only possibly genetic (especially in German Shepherds), but the condition is the result of another health issue. PAA, or Pancreatic Ancinar Atrophy) is a condition in which the pancreatic ancinar cells in a dog cease to function properly. PAA is thought to be idiopathic, meaning the condition has no specific cause. Therefore, the failure of the pancreas to produce these digestive enzymes can spontaneously take place, and the only way to combat the detrimental lack of enzymes is to provide a supplement.
The process of digestion in all animals can’t be completed without the presence of digestive enzymes. Because all foods are made of three basic nutrients: Protein, Fats, and Carbohydrates – digestive enzymes are designed to break down these macronutrients in order to further the process of digestion. These enzymes not only break down food but they also help to pull the nutrients from the food your dog eats in order to ensure that the nutritional elements of food are directed to the proper parts of your dog’s body. Enzymes, particularly those used in digestion, are vital to the life of all cells. However, for any of a variety of reasons, sometimes digestive enzymes do not work as they should. That’s when you might consider purchasing a supplement that provides more of the digestive enzymes your dog needs.
The basic digestive enzymes for all animals are Protease, Amylase, and Lipase. However, dogs also benefit from the introduction of Cellulase into the diet as a digestive enzyme. Cellulase breaks down fiber in food. Fiber helps to push waste from the digestive system, which can prevent toxins from staying in your dog’s system for longer than necessary. Protease is important to the processes of hydrolysis and proteolysis, which break down essential nutrients but also aid in the digestion of proteins. Amylase also breaks down essential nutrients, but where protease aids in the digestion of protein, amylase helps the body to break down starches and carbohydrates. Lipase breaks down nutrients just as the other digestive enzymes do, but it especially assists in the digestion of lipids (or fats). To be certain, when your dog takes in supplemental digestive enzymes, you are ensuring that he has the ability to get every piece of nutrition available in each meal he eats.
You might ask yourself – why would I give my dog a supplement for digestive enzymes when my dog produces them himself? The answer is rather simple. Just like with human digestion, there are many environmental factors which can destroy enzymes in the body and inhibit digestion. Smoke (as in secondhand cigarette smoke), certain medications and pollutants in the air can change the way that enzymes work in the cells. Dogs that are exposed to a great deal of sun may also see a difference in the way that they digest food. However, this typically isn’t an issue for inside dogs, but other environmental toxins can still drive down the effectiveness of naturally-occurring digestive enzymes in canines.
Surprisingly, some ingredients in your dog’s commercially made dog food can actually have a detrimental effect on the presence of those naturally occurring enzymes. Food additives and flavor enhancers are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in commercially made dog food, particularly in dry dog food. Food preservatives (aside of sodium) can greatly damage the naturally occurring digestive enzymes in a canine’s body. Food preservatives are often chemicals that are unsafe outside of being added to food, and dry dog food is often full of them. Cheaper dry dog food (commercially made, of course) is often full of additives, preservatives, and fillers that can cause a multitude of problems for your dog’s health, his digestive health being the hardest hit. Even if you research and choose one of the healthier commercially made dry foods for your dog, he still may need the assistance of an enzyme that will aid in the digestive process.
Before beginning a regimen, you should have your veterinarian perform some lab tests in order to determine which enzymes are not present in your dog’s system. Once it is determined exactly what enzymes are missing, then you can decide what supplements to provide. Giving your dog the right digestive supplements can not only make him feel much better, but he will also gather the proper nutrition he needs and have more energy as well.
Will Corrente is a career entrepreneur and trusted authority and expert in the dog care industry. Will has over 15 years of experience as the owner and operator of Very Important Paws Dog Resort in West Palm Beach, FL. Copyright 2020 k9vitatherapy.com