People and dogs have shared a special bond for thousands of years. It’s hard to believe that the animals descended from wolves eventually became our cherished companions all around the globe! Our pets are so connected to us now, they often seem to sense how we're feeling, they share in our happiness, and comfort us when we're down.

Sadly, cancer is another thing humans and dogs have in common. According to the Cancer Research Institute, cancer affects one out of every four people in the USA each year, and it's also the number one illness-related killer of pet dogs. Interestingly, because some types of cancer are similar in both species, treatments developed for humans can sometimes help dogs, and treatments for dogs can sometimes help people. A cure for one could mean a cure for both.

It's also known that as both humans and dogs get older, their immune systems naturally get weaker.

The good news is, there are simple, natural ways you can try to help improve your dog's immunity.

How Strong is a Dog's Immune System?

Generally, yes! A healthy dog has a very effective immune system. It's like their body's security guard, always working to stop health problems early.

This defense system uses specialized cells and multiple organs working together, including:

• The thymus gland and bone marrow: These are like training grounds and factories where important white blood cells (the body's infection fighters) are created.
• The spleen and lymph nodes: They act like filters or traps, filtering out harmful bacteria so the immune cells can take care of them.

One of the immune system's most important jobs is telling the difference between the dog's own body cells (often called self) and things that don't belong (called non-self). These “non-self” invaders can include bacteria, viruses, certain chemicals, unwanted particles, and even cancer cells. The immune system identifies these outsiders by recognizing specific markers (called antigens) found on their surfaces.

If you're interested in learning more about dogs’ immunity and how this all works, we invite you to read our article, What You Should Know About the Immune System in Dogs.

Easy Natural Ways to Improve Your Dog’s Immunity

#1 Encourage Your Dog to Exercise and Play

Keeping your pooch active is a fantastic way to help their immune system stay strong and keep them healthy. Carrying extra fat isn't good for their immunity because fat actually creates many substances in the body that can cause inflammation, which is like a low-level internal irritation. 

Even a little bit of extra fat can increase these inflammation-causing substances. Exercise helps burn off that fat, which in turn can help lower inflammation and make them less likely to get sick.

Dogs naturally love to move, so getting enough exercise and playtime is really necessary for them. The great thing is, exercise doesn't have to feel like a task; it should be enjoyable for both of you! Some fun activities you can try with your pet include playing fetch, scent games (where they use their nose to find things), or teaching them new tricks.

#2 Good Nutrition Means Good Health

It seems pretty obvious, right? Healthy dog food means a healthy dog, but it's something so important, and it's always worth saying again: what your dog eats is the starting point for their good health. 

Your dog's diet plays a huge role in keeping their immune system strong. A big reason for this is the gut – about 70 percent of the immune system is actually located there!

The gut is also home to the microbiome, which is a community of hundreds of different kinds of bacteria. The food your dog eats has a major impact on keeping the right balance of these bacteria.

Thinking about your dog's immune health shouldn't wait until they're older! If you already know Healthy Dogma, or if you've tried our recipes, you'll know we've been focused on this since 2008. We've seen so many success stories that show just how much good nutrition matters! Our goal has always been to make it simple to give your dog meals that are like homemade, rich with nutrients, and comforting for them to eat every day.

That’s the idea behind the Homestyle PetMix. It’s designed for adult dogs of all shapes and sizes. A neat feature is that it uses different main proteins (like chicken, beef, fish, or lamb) but keeps a consistent base. This makes it easy to switch up the flavors your dog gets without causing an upset stomach. 

And importantly, you get balanced, budget-friendly nutrition, thoughtfully prepared.

Learn more about our Homestyle PetMix

#3 Supplements to Support Your Dog's Immunity

A healthy diet and plenty of exercise are the most important things for keeping your dog from getting sick. But adding certain food supplements or vitamins to their daily diet can also give their immune system an extra boost.

We often suggest the K9 Critical Care Immunotherapy PACK. It brings together two natural supplements: K9 Critical Care and K9 Transfactor Plus.

• K9 Critical Care helps energize special immune cells (known as Natural Killer or NK cells) to help your dog’s body fight off problems.
• K9 Transfactor Plus supports the immune system with Colostrum. Colostrum is packed with valuable proteins and natural antibodies that help protect your dog.

And Don't Forget Probiotics!

Speaking of extra support, probiotics are another great way to help your dog. A large part of your dog's ability to fight off sickness is actually based in their gut. And for their gut to do this important job well, it needs a healthy balance of good versus not-so-good bacteria.

Giving your dog probiotics is a simple way to add more of those good bacteria. This helps keep their digestive system healthy and, in turn, supports a strong immune system.

#4 Using Routine to Help Your Dog Feel Secure

Constant stress can actually stop your dog's immune system from working its best when it’s fighting off illness. This makes them more likely to get sick. Just as many people prefer routine, dogs, too, often feel more secure and comfortable when they are in familiar surroundings and have a good idea of what to expect each day.

Too many new things happening all the time, like frequent new visitors, frequent trips to unfamiliar places, or not getting enough dedicated time with you, can make a dog feel stressed. This stress can affect their sleep and, you guessed it, can weaken their body's natural defenses against illness.