Advice and tips on how best to boost our own immune system come at us from all sides. But what about the immunity of our four-legged buddy? Don't forget about them in this respect, and support their defences especially in autumn and winter.

An important factor in boosting your dog's immunity is a balanced and complete diet. The right food helps keep your pet in full health and strength. A substantial part of immunity is located in the gut. For that reason it's especially important to look after gut health. What and how you feed your dog comes first here. Make sure the food is rich in, among other things, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and contains ingredients that naturally strengthen the immune system. Among the many wonderful supplements that are not only high in fibre are chicory root and carrot. Chicory is a superb herb whose extract is rich in inulin, an important source of nutrients for the bacteria living in the gut. Inulin supports the growth of friendly bacteria and thereby helps healthy digestion. It has an excellent peristaltic effect and, importantly, binds and eliminates toxins from the gut. Thanks to its content of soluble and insoluble fibre carrot helps prevent problems with diarrhoea and reduces the number of harmful bacteria in the gut. Thanks to its high content of minerals and vitamins, it strengthens the immune system.

Very popular for boosting natural immunity are the so-called freshwater algae which are counted among superfoods. Specifically, these are Spirulina and Chlorella. They can very effectively detoxify the body and significantly increase its natural immunity. They have the ability to bind various toxins and heavy metals and remove them from the body. They can effectively suppress odour from the dog's mouth. They support good digestion and balance the natural environment in the gut.

Plenty of exercise at in the fresh air is another prerequisite for building strong immunity. Give your dog frequent walks in nature and chances to meet other dogs. Through such contact your dog encounters various micro-organisms, which allows the body to get to know potential threats. That's how it builds up its defences. Regular activity greatly benefits the circulatory system, supports lung and heart function and, above all, increases the resilience of the immune system. Playing with your dog is also a form of activity, especially if it's dynamic, e.g. fetching, swimming, running, jumping, … Simply the kind of activity you and your dog enjoy.

Stress in dogs severely weakens the immune system. Regular feeding times, walks and playing together can reduce a dog's stress. Also important is the environmentin which you keep your dog. Ideally place their bed in a quiet, draught-free spot so they can rest undisturbed. Good-quality rest is very important for a dog in terms of reducing stress. Regular contact with other dogs can also help put your furry friend at ease and in a good mood. 

And how can you recognise stress in your pet? Watch their behaviour, mood and sleeping habits. A stressed dog usually eats less, sleeps badly, often wanders around the house at night, may tremble, breathe rapidly, hide or destroy things in the home, etc. 

But if you give your dog a loving home, stress shouldn't have a place in their life.

Finally, don't forget to regularly vaccinate your dog against diseases and treat them against parasites. Keep them at a healthy weight and watch out for obesity. Take care of their teeth and gums. Cleaning them is very important for maintaining overall health.