Quercetin for Dogs: Why Your Dog Needs It
Quercetin for dogs is an excellent plant pigment, which is widely used for the treatment of seasonal and environmental allergies. These are some of the most prevalent health issues that our pets face.
Countless dog owners are working hard to combat this issue and improve their dog’s quality of life. Skin allergies, food allergies, and respiratory allergies are becoming so frequent that many pups are susceptible to them genetically.
Because most standard veterinary treatments include powerful interventions with multiple possible side effects, holistic vets choose gentler, more natural techniques.
Quercetin is a natural pigment in various colored fruits and vegetables, including apples, broccoli, berries, etc. This pigment (also known as flavonoid) is a potent antioxidant that has experts across the globe wondering: might this be the allergy treatment that so many dogs need and deserve?
Let’s take a deeper look at quercetin and its utilization to treat our canine friends with allergies.
Table of Contents
- How Do Allergies Originate in Dogs?
- Diagnosis of Quercetin for Allergies in Dogs
- Quercetin for Dog Allergies: Why It Works
- Other Ways Quercetin Helps Dogs
- Is Quercetin Safe for Dogs?
- Sources of Quercetin for Dogs
- The Right Quercetin Dosage for Dogs
- The Takeaway
- Nutrition Strength Quercetin for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Quercetin for Dogs here.
How Do Allergies Originate in Dogs?
While standard veterinary care focuses on treating symptoms, holistic veterinarian medicine focuses on fixing the underlying cause. Both have a purpose and may benefit our dogs, but when it comes to allergies, it’s almost difficult to treat our dogs long-term unless we tackle the problem holistically.
Most dog owners have no idea how allergies develop, so we get so focused on our dog’s symptoms — we just want the itching to stop, but we’re missing the bigger picture.
Allergies develop as a result of a mix of genetic and environmental factors. When the immune system sees a non-threatening material in the environment as harmful, it reacts by releasing an inflammatory chemical known as histamine into the bloodstream, resulting in an allergic response.
Dogs with allergies of any kind exhibit similar symptoms, the most apparent being skin-related. Some of the most common signs are asthma symptoms, bumps, chewing on affected areas, coughing, ear infections, hair loss, itching, nasal congestion, obsessive licking, red and itchy eyes, redness, scratching, shortness of breath, sneezing, thickened skin and ulceration of the skin.
One of the most common underlying causes of allergies in dogs is inflammation. It is strongly linked to free radicals, which are unstable chemicals that cause cell damage, resulting in an inflammatory condition in the body and (as a result) several health concerns, including allergies.
Diagnosis of Quercetin for Allergies in Dogs
Allergies may be diagnosed using a variety of tests. Among the most frequent tests are:
- Cutaneous cytology: a microscopic examination of skin cells extracted from afflicted regions. This approach helps detect biological creatures such as mites, fungus, or bacterial infections that might induce symptoms similar to allergic responses.
- Intradermal skin test (patch test): in this test, minute quantities of the suspected allergens are injected under the skin to cause a localized response that aids in the identification of the allergen. This test is beneficial in determining environmental and contact allergies.
- Blood testing: Standard blood count tests may show the presence of basophils, a specialized kind of white blood cell that indicates a recent allergic response.
The elimination diet is the most often used strategy for identifying food allergies. An elimination diet involves replacing your dog’s existing diet with either hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient commercial dog food or a temporary diet of bland human cuisine. Identifying the allergy typically takes many weeks.
Now that we understand how allergic responses occur and how they may be detected, it is evident that the route to treatment rests in finding a means to reduce inflammation in our dogs’ bodies.
Quercetin for Dog Allergies: Why It Works
Stable free radicals must be neutralized to minimize inflammation and prevent allergic responses. This is when antioxidants come into play. They bind to free radicals and take away their destructive force. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antiallergic properties.
Quercetin has been the subject of several studies in recent years, so there is a wealth of scientific evidence to back up these assertions.
Animal research found that quercetin might prevent peanut-induced anaphylaxis (a severe and possibly deadly allergic response) by reducing histamine levels in the blood. Over four weeks, the animals were given 50 mg of quercetin per kilogram of body weight.
The researchers concluded that a more extended amount of time is required to show outcomes on a cellular level. That quercetin should be carefully evaluated as an alternative therapy to prevent allergy reactions. They also discovered that quercetin was not hazardous to internal organs.
Another research on the effectiveness of quercetin for dog allergies focused on animals suffering from atopic dermatitis induced by domestic dust mites. Here the researchers effectively suppressed inflammation and even improved the condition of the damaged skin.
The number of dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis is rising year after year. These findings are significant and provide hope for the thousands of dogs that battle allergic inflammation every day.
It’s crucial to remember that quercetin isn’t only a superfood for allergies. As an antioxidant, it also offers a plethora of other health advantages. Let’s take a look at them.
Other Ways Quercetin Helps Dogs
Here are some other quercetin benefits for dogs.
Quercetin for Asthma
Quercetin is also a suitable alternative for dogs with asthma or other respiratory problems. During an asthma episode, histamines and leukotrienes are released by your dog’s body. Leukotrienes, like histamines, are a normal immunological reaction. They may induce an increase in mucus production as well as airway constriction.
Quercetin inhibits the release of histamines as well as leukotrienes.
Quercetin for Dogs with Cancer
Several studies have shown that quercetin may slow or halt the development of cancer cells in numerous internal organs. Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in dogs, killing millions of them each year, making this study on quercetin vital and urgent.
The anticancer effect of quercetin has been researched in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, which involved several cell lines and animal models. On the other hand, the high toxic effect of quercetin against cancer cells has been accompanied by little or no side effects or harm to normal cells.
A University of Maryland study discovered that quercetin (and other flavonoids) may decrease the progression of breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, and lung cancers. Cancer feeds on low-grade inflammation, such as inflammation caused by being overweight or exposed to chemicals.
The anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin aid in the reduction of inflammation. This reduces blood supply to the cancer cells, preventing them from developing. All these facts lead us to the idea that we can use quercetin for dogs with cancer.
Quercetin to Fight Free Radicals
Free radicals are cells that lack electrons. These injured cells will take electrons from other cells to repair themselves. But, as you can expect, this sets off a vicious cycle. One cell has been healed, but another is now damaged.
When cells metabolize and even exercise, free radicals are produced. Toxins in our environment, such as pesticides and pollution, also cause free radicals to form. If free radicals are not controlled, oxidative stress may result.
Fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins are all harmed. Cancer, premature aging, diabetes, and other chronic diseases may arise from this damage.
To avoid oxidative stress, your dog must consume many antioxidants. Antioxidants contain an abundance of electrons. They function to stabilize free radicals and halt harmful chain reactions. Quercetin is high in antioxidants, making it an excellent option for neutralizing free radicals and avoiding illness.
Other Applications
According to research, chronic oxidative stress has also been related to periodontal disease and bone loss. Antioxidants, such as quercetin aid in reducing or eliminating oxidative stress.
But this isn’t the only thing they do. Quercetin has been demonstrated to prevent bone loss and thereby reverse osteopenia.
Quercetin is also beneficial to cardiovascular health. It defends against “bad” cholesterol (LDL) damage, lowers blood pressure (hypertension), and preserves endothelial function and vital nitric oxide against oxidative stress.
This powerful flavonoid can’t seem to do wrong for your four-legged pal.
Is Quercetin Safe for Dogs?
One of the most important questions is whether or not quercetin is safe for dogs.
Quercetin is usually harmless and non-toxic to animals, even at large dosages. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Quercetin is not recommended for pregnant or nursing dogs due to a lack of information on whether it is safe for unborn and newborn pups. If your dog has renal issues, you should avoid quercetin as well.
It is also not advisable to begin supplementing your dog’s food with quercetin if they are on any medication without first checking with your holistic veterinarian.
Quercetin interacts with various drugs, including antibiotics, cyclosporine, diabetic medications, blood pressure medications, and pharmaceuticals metabolized by the liver. As quercetin may reduce the efficacy of these drugs, you must consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s usual diet.
Sources of Quercetin for Dogs
Feeding your dog a balanced raw diet high in quercetin-rich fruits and vegetables is the best approach to help him benefit from these flavonoids. Safe options include apples (including the skin), broccoli, dark leafy greens, peppers, raspberries, and blueberries.
Don’t give your dog onions or grapes. They’re high in quercetin, but they may also be poisonous. Alternatively, if your dog isn’t eating enough fruits and veggies, you may give him a quercetin vitamin.
The Right Quercetin Dosage for Dogs
Quercetin can only be helpful as a supplement if it has high bioavailability, which means that it enters the circulation rather than being removed by metabolism. Because of its poor absorption and rapid metabolism, quercetin has a limited bioavailability. Nevertheless, there are techniques to boost its absorption.
Ideally, the supplement you choose will have other components that boost quercetin absorption. Look for vitamin C and bromelain, a natural digestive enzyme that stimulates the immune system combined with quercetin.
The optimum dose is another component of efficient absorption. Animal research suggest that 20 percent of quercetin was absorbed when supplied orally. However, a dog study found that just 4 percent of quercetin reached circulation.
The trial on dogs used a significantly lower dosage, corresponding to commercially available quercetin-supplemented dog chow. It’s important to remember that dogs have a carnivore’s digestive system, so they can’t process plant pigments effectively.
Because dogs’ big intestine is so short, plants are eliminated before they can be absorbed. Researchers propose splitting your quercetin dosage for dogs into two or three halves to guarantee constant quercetin presence in your dog’s system.
Quercetin supplement for dogs is available as capsules and tablets. Read the directions carefully and stick to the dosing requirements, fluctuating across brands.
The particular dosage for your dog will be determined by its size and the severity of its allergic disease. Start with the lowest advised dosage and gradually increase it if you believe your dog needs more assistance.
A holistic veterinarian recommends 125 mg of pure quercetin per day for small dogs (up to 20 lbs), 250 mg for medium-sized dogs (25 to 50 lbs), and 375 mg for big dogs (50 lbs and more).
Remember that quercetin takes time to start functioning, so be patient and wait a few weeks before adjusting the dosage. According to most studies, the initial outcomes should be seen within two to four weeks.
The Takeaway
Sometimes known as “Nature’s Benadryl” by veterinarians, quercetin may treat dogs with environmental allergies. Quercetin is a flavonoid, a plant chemical with antioxidant, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory activities.
We suggest combining quercetin with bromelain for dogs, an enzyme produced from pineapple, and papain, an enzyme derived from papaya, for the most significant outcomes. Speak to your veterinarian about the appropriate dose. This way, you can ensure that your dog receives all of the benefits from this fantastic flavonoid.
Nutrition Strength Quercetin for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Quercetin for Dogs here.
Nutrition Strength Quercetin for Dogs with Bromelain to Support Balanced Immune System, Promote Inflammatory Relief & Antioxidant Activity, Quercetin for Dog Allergies, 120 Chewable Tablets are tasty chewable tablets, made with carefully selected ingredients, which have been shown to support a balanced response to environmental challenges and promote overall seasonal comfort.
Quercetin is a naturally occurring antioxidant with unique biological properties that may boost your pet’s mental and physical performance.
A great way to support your pet’s well-being, our premium quercetin with bromelain for dogs supplement might benefit your four-legged friends by helping to:
- Promote a balanced immune system.
- Boost the antioxidant defense system.
- Stimulate inflammatory relief.
- Support healthy histamine levels.
- Maintain healthy performance levels.
Our specially developed quercetin with bromelain for dogs supplement is made to help ensure that your pet gets sufficient levels of this flavonoid, whose unique properties offer potential benefits to your dog’s overall health, including antioxidant and psychostimulant activities, as well as the ability to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis.
Research has demonstrated that quercetin is a safe dietary supplements, based on its broad range of biological effects in animals, which form the basis for potential benefits to overall health.
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme, derived from the fruit or stem of the pineapple. Absorbable in the body without losing its effectiveness and without producing any major side effects, bromelain accounts for many therapeutic benefits, including for the cardiovascular system.
Bromelain has also been shown to influence blood coagulation by boosting the serum fibrinolytic ability and by blocking the synthesis of fibrin — a protein involved in blood clotting.
Image source: Wikimedia / Sagaciousphil.
