Nutraceuticals For Animals: What Are They For?
It is becoming easier and easier to find products that can improve the health and life of pets. Furthermore, it is increasingly inclined to resort to the consumption of supplements of natural origin, such as nutraceuticals for animals.
What are animal nutraceuticals?
A nutraceutical is a food substance that, in addition to its nutritional value, brings health benefits such as the prevention of certain diseases or the control of conduct.
Nowadays there is an increase in their use in veterinary medicine and many professionals prescribe them to alleviate various symptoms. In addition to this, many owners who are reticent to the use of drugs opt for nutraceuticals.
The veterinarian is a health professional, it is good to be aware of this, and has the knowledge and tools to diagnose and treat a disease.
In light of the above, before administering a drug to our pets, we will need to consult it. Ultimately, this is the person who will be able to guide us on administering nutraceuticals to our animals.
Use of nutraceuticals for animals
The great variety of nutraceuticals gives us an idea of the amount of different uses we can use them for.
They improve the general state of health
Minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and other macro elements affect many systems of the body. For example, it is typical to consume fatty acids to improve the appearance of the skin and coat, but also to strengthen the immune system. A vitamin supplement is useful when there is a dietary deficit and in case of immunosuppression.
Dermatological disorders
These products improve the appearance of the skin and coat in healthy animals or animals with a disease. They are indicated in case of atopic dermatitis, allergies and other skin diseases, as they strengthen the different skin layers and protect the dermis. They are marketed in the form of syrups, tablets, shampoos, vials, etc.
Chondroprotective effects
The use of chondroprotective nutraceuticals is as popular as dermatological ones. They regenerate the joint surface and the synovial fluid present in the joints. They are mainly composed of hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate.
The most frequent consumers are animals in old age with arthrosis problems, but they are also recommended for young dogs of large or giant size for preventive purposes.
They protect the digestive system
They improve food digestion by regulating the bacterial flora ; they also regulate the flow of water in the intestine, preventing diarrhea and constipation. In this group we can include malt based nutraceuticals, which reduce the problems deriving from the ingestion of hair in cats.
Conduct disturbances
There are natural anxiolytics that help treat conduct disorders such as separation anxiety, aggression or fear. It is possible to get information from veterinarians and canine ethologists about these anxiolytics which, in general, must be accompanied by a therapy aimed at resolving problematic behaviors.
Nutraceuticals that are intended to treat conduct disorders act on the animal’s nervous system. The neurotransmitter GABA is a key component of these supplements as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. It works by limiting the activity of nerve cells in areas of the brain associated with anxiety.
Additional functions of nutraceuticals for animals
Other nutraceuticals are intended to calm symptoms in an exact system or organ. For example, pancreatic enzymes are used to treat pancreatic insufficiency; chelators and cytoprotectors, on the other hand, to treat kidney diseases; there are supplements for eye health, etc.
The nutraceutical market is booming in the veterinary field and among those who have a pet. Their use to complement drug therapies or natural medicine is due to their effectiveness. The market offers an increasing variety from time to time.
