Winter is challenging for pets. Cold days, low temperatures, and pathogen exposure can weaken their immune system, making them highly susceptible to infection. Just like humans, our four-legged companions need extra care to maintain good health over the winter months.
Maintaining your pet's immunity is important for ensuring its good health. A strong immune system protects your pet from infections, allowing it to recover faster from illness and live a healthy and active life.
This blog will explore simple yet effective ways to enhance your Pet’s Immunity this winter. We'll discuss the importance of a balanced diet rich in immune-boosting nutrients and other essential tips for keeping your furry companion healthy and happy throughout the cold season.
FurrMeals provides pets with nutritious, natural, and vet-approved meals. This winter, our carefully formulated recipes, which use the best available ingredients to meet your pet's needs, will help build your pet's immune system.
How Does Winter Affect a Pet’s Diet?
Winter brings specific dietary needs for dogs. They require extra calories to stay warm, but it’s also essential to maintain a balanced diet to avoid health issues like weight gain or dry skin. A well-planned winter diet can improve immunity, maintain energy levels, and ensure overall wellness.
Winter nutrition is used to keep your pet warm and build its immune system for the changing seasonal conditions and all diseases that come with this seasonal change. A diet rich winter superfoods will:
- Strengthen immunity.
- Enhance gut health.
- Improve skin and coat quality.
- Support joint and bone health.
FurrMeals provides winter solutions for your pet with healthy, pre-cooked, pre-packaged, ready-to-serve dishes.
What are the Essential supplements for your pet’s wellness?
Colder temperatures, less wakefulness time, and less solar irradiance can impact the health and well-being of our canine companions. To ensure your furry friend stays vibrant and healthy throughout the winter months, providing them with a diet rich in essential nutrients is crucial.
1. Protein Power: Protein is the cornerstone of a healthy dog's diet. It is vital for muscle mass development and maintenance, as well as for generating heat and maintaining body temperature in cold seasons. Adequate protein also contributes to an excellent immune response, preventing your dog from getting winter illness.
2. Healthy Fats for Insulation: Healthy fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are essential for maintaining a healthy coat. A dense, slick coat is a thermal insulator, keeping your dog warm and comfy in cold weather. These beneficial fats also support healthy skin, less susceptible to dryness and itching, which can sometimes be exacerbated by seasonal fluctuations such as winter.
3. Carbohydrates for Energy: Carbohydrates provide the necessary fuel for your dog's body to function properly. During winter, your dog's energy expenditure may increase to maintain body temperature. Therefore, moderate amounts of high-quality carbohydrates are essential to support their increased energy needs.
4. Vitamin and Mineral Boost: Vitamins and minerals are important for maintaining your dog's immune system. Feed your pet with proper and adequate vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for their strong immune system:Â
- Vitamins A and C: Vitamins are powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage and stimulate white blood cell production, a front-line defence against infection in the pet's body.
- Vitamin E: This vitamin is also an antioxidant, protecting against ROS and enhancing immunity.
- Zinc: This mineral is a key to the development of immune cells.
- Selenium: This mineral plays a role in antioxidant defences and normal immune response.
5. Hydration is Key: While it may seem counterintuitive, dogs can dehydrate in winter. Reduced water intake can lead to various health issues. Ensure your dog has access to fresh, clean water throughout the day. Adding a bit of low-sodium broth to their water bowls could also be beneficial to encourage drinking, especially in low temperatures.
Winter Supplements to Keep Your Pet Healthy
Supplements can fill all the holes in your pet's diet, providing more support than they may require in winter.
1. Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Supplements and food products containing vitamins must be added to strengthen the dog's immune system. Calcium is also critical for skeletal integrity in elderly pets.
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
These fatty acids are useful for improving coat health, suppressing inflammation, and joint health (especially in older dogs or dogs recovering from injuries).
3. Probiotics for Gut Health
Probiotics maintain a healthy gastrointestinal lumen, which is vital in sustaining a strong immune system during winter.
Essential Nutrients & Herbal Boosters for your Pets during this winter
Adding herbs and spices to your dog's diet can offer a range of health benefits, from improved digestion to enhanced immunity. Here's a closer look at some beneficial options, along with how to incorporate FurrMeals products for an added boost:
1. Turmeric
Turmeric, renowned for its vibrant yellow hue, contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Studies suggest that curcumin may help alleviate joint pain and stiffness, making it a potential aid for dogs with arthritis. Additionally, its antioxidant properties can support a healthy immune system.
How to use: Sprinkle a small amount of turmeric powder on their food. Better still, try FurrMeals Herbed Chicken & Rice which is fortified with the power of turmeric.
Combining turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties, high-quality protein, and balanced nutrition in FurrMeals Herbed Chicken & Rice can synergistically support joint health and overall well-being.
2. Ginger
Ginger is well-known for soothing upset stomachs and alleviating nausea. It can be particularly helpful for dogs experiencing motion sickness or those with sensitive digestive systems. Ginger also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that support joint health.
How to use: Add a small piece of fresh ginger to FurrMeals Lamb Bone Broth (Paya Soup).
The soothing properties of ginger and nutrient-rich bone broth helps calm upset stomachs and boosts digestion.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon adds a warm, sweet flavour to food and offers several health benefits for dogs. It contains antioxidants that help protect cells from damage and supports a healthy immune system. Some studies suggest that cinnamon can also help regulate blood sugar levels.
How to use: Sprinkle a small amount of ground cinnamon on FurrMeals Chicken Bone Broth.
Adding cinnamon to the flavorful chicken broth will enhance its taste and provide a gentle antioxidant boost, making it an even more appealing and beneficial treat.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant herb that contains antioxidants and have cognitive benefits for dogs. Studies have shown that rosemary extract can improve memory and cognitive function in ageing dogs.
How to use: Add a small sprig of fresh rosemary to FurrMeals Herbed Chicken & Rice before serving.
Combining rosemary's potential cognitive benefits with the high-quality protein and balanced nutrition in FurrMeals Herbed Chicken & Rice can support overall brain health and well-being.
5. Parsley
Parsley is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K. It helps freshen your dog's breath and aids digestion and urinary tract health.
How to use it: Finely chop fresh parsley and sprinkle it on FurrMeals Lamb Bone Broth (paya soup).
Adding parsley to the bone broth provides a refreshing flavour and a source of essential vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious and flavorful treat.
Important Note: Always consult your veterinarian before adding new herbs or spices to your dog's diet, especially if your dog has underlying health conditions. Some herbs and spices can interact with medications or cause adverse reactions in dogs.
Why FurrMeals is the Best Choice for Winter Superfoods
FurrMeals provides winter solutions for your pet with healthy, pre-cooked, pre-packaged, ready-to-serve dishes.
Herbed Chicken & Rice for Superior Immunity
Chicken is an excellent source of proteins that can strengthen immunity. Combined with herbs like turmeric, it becomes just the right winter food for your lovely pooch. This ready-to-serve meal gives your doggo all the essential pet amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Benefits:
- High-Quality Protein: Builds strong muscles and supports overall health.
- Herbs for Immunity: Natural herbs enhance gastrointestinal and immune function in the recipe.
- Promotes Gut Health: The rice aids digestion and reduces allergies.
- Vet-Recommended: Specially formulated to enhance your pet’s immunity during winter.
FurrMeals Herbed Chicken & Rice is a home-cooked, preservative-free, ready-to-serve meal. With fresh chicken as the #1 ingredient, it's a good way to spoil your pet and be healthy this winter.
Lamb Bone Broth (Paya Soup) for Joint and Immune Support
Bone broth is a winter superfood containing collagen, amino acids, and minerals. It is a versatile addition to the pet's diet, offering several benefits.
Benefits:
- Boosts Immunity: It contains antioxidant fortification to guard against your pet's seasonal illnesses.
- Joint Health: It is inherently anti-inflammatory, making it ideal for senior pets or pets recovering from injury.
- Improves Digestion: Gentle on the stomach and supports gut health.
FurrMeals Lamb Bone Broth (Paya Soup) is a 100% vegan and non-heat processed supplement with bone, joint, and immunity enhancement properties. Ideal as a treat, meal topper, or supplement.
Chicken Bone Broth for Enhanced Nutrition
Winter nutrition superstar, chicken bone broth, a winner on taste and the menu for health.
Benefits:
- Strengthens Immunity: High levels of amino acids and minerals, which are helpful for immunity.
- Joint Support: A treatment for arthritis or arthrosis in pets.
- Energy Booster: This keeps your pet active and energetic during cold days.
FurrMeals Chicken Bone Broth is a ready-to-serve, preservative-free broth that supports joint health and immunity. It can be used as a delicious meal topper or a soothing winter treat.
How to Incorporate FurrMeals into Your Pet’s Winter Diet
Feed dog or cat Herbed Chicken Rice as the sole dietary food with balanced nutrition and immune support.
For Treats or Meal Toppers, Use Chicken bone broth or lamb bone broth (Paya soup) as a warm the drink or soup and add nutrition and health benefits.
For Special Needs: Bone broth can be added to a pet's diet during recovery from illness or injury to maintain joint health and strengthen the immune system.
Give Your Pet the Best Winter Nutrition Today!
Don’t compromise on your pet’s health this winter. Using FurrMeals, you can offer your pet the best flavour and nutritional outcome.
Place your order now to keep your animal healthy, happy, and ready to play all year round. With FurrMeals, you can get lunch, dinner, and everything—all superstar quality!
Contact us now.