Benefits of Beta-Carotene for Dogs

Choosing a dog food from the mountain of available brands and varieties at a pet store is difficult at the best of times. But what about foods that proclaim that they contain "beta-carotene?" What is the big deal about beta-carotene? Plenty, especially for owners of puppies or senior dogs. Beta-carotene can help strengthen a puppy or older dog's immune system. It also can help support eye health.

These two stages of life, puppy and old age, are when the canine immune system is most vulnerable. Feedings foods with beta-carotene will not completely protect a dog or puppy from developing illnesses. All dogs and puppies still need daily exercise, regular vet check-ups and parasite control medication, no matter how much beta-carotene they eat.

What is Beta-Carotene?

Beta-carotene is a nutrient classified as a carotenoid. If carotenoid sounds closely like carrot, there's a good reason why. Carrots are a prime source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene. Carotenoids helps cause plants to turn orange, yellow or red. Because carotenoids only come from plants, you may see them being called "phytonutrients", which only means "nutrients that come from plants."

Natural sources for beta-carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, some peppers, yellow fruits, pumpkins, squash and some dark green vegetables like broccoli or chard. However, commercially made dog food tends to only use carrots or sweet potatoes. But many dogs like to munch on fresh or cooked broccoli as a treat. My dogs, Pony and Hugo, enjoy fresh mango and cooked squash. They can only have pieces about the size of my thumb or they may get diarrhea.

What It Does

Like Vitamin A and Selenium, beta-carotene is an antioxidant. There is still much we do not know about antioxidants, but they appear to help the body stave off disease and cancer. But one 2000 study on female beagles suggested that dogs fed beta-carotene had heightened immune responses. Dogs eating diets completely lacking in antioxidants will develop immunodeficiency diseases, notes Randy Kidd, DVM, PhD.

Beta-carotene is thought to help canine eye health in the way it can sometimes help human eye health. Mammal bodies easily convert beta-carotene into Vitamin A, needed to maintain eyes. But just how beta-carotene works on dog eyes are not known because there haven't been a lot of studies done. Most "evidence" of beta-carotene helping dog vision are anecdotal.

In Conclusion

Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that appears to help the immune system in dogs and may also help maintain their eye health. If a dog's diet is completely lacking in vegetables, then the dog may need supplements to keep from developing an immunodeficiency disease. RM Clemmons, DVM, PhD suggests a daily dose for dogs be between 10,000 to 25,000 IU, depending on how large the dog is. But before giving any nutritional supplement, please consult your veterinarian.

References

"Dietary beta-carotene stimulates cell-mediated and humoral immune response in dogs." BP Chew, eta l. The Journal of Nutrition. August, 2000. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10917901

"Supporting your dog's immune system." Randy Kidd, DVM, PhD. The Whole Dog Journal. May 2006. http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/9_5/features/Canine_Immunology_15808-1.html

University of Florida. "Integrative Therapy in Dogs with Nervous System & Other Disorders." RM Clemmons, DVM, PhD. 1997. http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/AltMed/Alt_Med_Neuro.htm