Colostrum is a nutrient-dense natural ingredient you can add to your dog’s diet to support immune and gut health. And thanks to a new health supplement, it’s a breeze to incorporate colostrum into your dog’s daily regimen.
Have you ever looked at a dog supplement and noticed colostrum listed in the ingredients? First milking colostrum, aka bovine colostrum or just colostrum, is the first milk produced by a mammal after giving birth. It’s highly concentrated with nutrients and immune factors, which is why it has been an increasingly common ingredient in canine supplements over the past couple of decades. If you’re unfamiliar with colostrum or have been considering adding it to your dog’s diet, here are four benefits (and one easy, tasty way to feed it!).
1. It Provides Immune Support
Mammals produce colostrum for newborns because it provides essential nutrients and helps protect them by providing antibodies they don’t yet produce on their own. Without these antibodies, the newborn could be susceptible to infections and diseases that their immune system can’t combat.
The colostrum found in pet supplements typically comes from cows because dairy cows produce far more colostrum than their calves can consume. And while the colostrum is critical for the health of the calves, it also has benefits for companion animals of all ages. The same antibodies that protect calves also help to support immunity, healing, and recovery in dogs.
2. You Can Feed It as a Nutritional Boost with Antioxidants
Another benefit of first milking colostrum is that it’s packed with nutrients that are essential for health and development in puppies and dogs of all ages. What’s more, the vitamins in colostrum have antioxidant properties and promote stress level reduction. Here are some of the main nutrients that make colostrum an appealing supplement ingredient:
- Vitamins A, C, and E
- Proteins
- Peptides
- Calcium, magnesium, and zinc
- Digestive enzymes
- Growth factors
- Healthy fats
- Carbohydrates
3. It Supports Gut Health
Along with containing digestive enzymes, colostrum also contains growth factors that can support the development, maintenance, repair, and regeneration of the gut lining. This can be especially helpful for dogs with gastrointestinal issues or inflammatory conditions.
4. You Can Help Manage Inflammation
Colostrum has many beneficial components for dogs that can help manage inflammation. For example, it has antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals, which can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. What’s more, the antibodies in colostrum can help modulate the immune response and regulate inflammatory processes.
NEW NutriSource Soft Chew Supplements Contain First Milking Colostrum!
NutriSource’s soft chew supplements are revolutionary supplements to support gut and immune health in dogs. Made with first milking colostrum and packed with nutrients and antioxidants, soft chew supplements are available in four formulations to support dogs with unique challenges:
- Skin & Coat Supplement with omega-3 fatty acids, zinc proteinate, and biotin
- Mobility Supplement with glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin
- Multivitamin Supplement
- Calming Supplement with L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine
Veterinarian formulated and featuring the NASC Quality Seal! Visit NutriSource to learn more!
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