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Natures Immuno For Dogs

Vet-Formulated Supplement of Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs

USD $59.95
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Why You Shouldn’t Use an Immune Booster for Dogs

Pet Care Tips 4 min read
Photo of a German Shephard dog on a green field looking at the camera with a slight head tilt to illustrate a blog post about why you shouldn't use an immune booster for dogs

We often see pet parents looking for an immune booster for dogs, and it’s about time we explain why that’s not a good idea. Supporting your little one’s immune system is, in fact, crucial to help them live a healthier, happier, and longer life. Still, an overactive immunity can be just as dangerous as a weakened one. So the key is in finding immunity balance!  

How Does the Immunity System Work?

Becoming an immunologist takes nine to ten years of education beyond a bachelor’s degree, more time than most veterinary specialties.

Your little one’s immune system is the most complex part of their body outside the brain. It’s an absurdly intricate network of cells and molecules that protect our furkiddos from dangerous agents they are constantly in contact with. 

Our pets can be exposed to household chemicals, allergens, viruses, bacteria, vector-carrying insects, and many other elements that can be dangerous to them. The immune system works to identify, destroy and eliminate any of these hazardous pathogens that enter your little one’s body.

Types of Immunity in Dogs

Your pup’s immune system has many interconnected parts that work together, such as white blood cells, antibodies, bone marrow, the spleen, the thymus, the lymphatic system, etc. These cells and organs work together in different phases of your little one’s life to offer three different types of immunity – innate, adaptive, and passive:

  • Innate immunity in dogs: Your little one is born with innate (or natural) immunity, which offers general protection. For example, the skin acts as a barrier to block germs from entering the body.
  • A dog’s adaptive immunity: Adaptive (or active) immunity develops throughout life. For example: When dogs are exposed to diseases or when they are immunized against diseases with vaccines.
  • Canine passive immunity: Passive immunity is transferred from another source and lasts for a short period. For example, antibodies in a mother’s milk transferred to a puppy offer temporary immunity to diseases that the mother has been exposed to.

When pet parents talk about an immune booster for dogs, they are looking for something to help promote their little one’s adaptive immunity. 

Why Not Get an Immune Booster for Dogs?

Close-up of a big black dog with brown markings, similar to a Rottweiler or Doberman, with an open mouth and tongue sticking out as if smiling to represent a healthy dog for the article about immune booster for dogs.

A treatment, supplement, or medication that would work as an immune booster for dogs could lead to an overactive immune system. An autoimmune disease is exactly that, and it can lead to the accidental destruction of good cells and affect otherwise healthy organs. Many autoimmune diseases and conditions are related to an immune system working overtime, for example, allergies, lupus, Addison’s disease, myasthenia gravis, and type 1 diabetes

Lethargy, lack of appetite, skin infections, and poor growth are common signs of an underactive immune system.

When your furkiddo’s immune system is weak, on the other hand, the body cannot fight off viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens very well. A weakened immunity can cause your little one to be more prone to recurrent infections. It is also common to see dogs fail to respond to conventional antibiotic therapies if they have a weak immune system. 

Many diseases and conditions are related to decreased immunity, like certain tumors such as lymphoma and myeloma or viral infections such as canine distemper and parvovirus. Lethargy, lack of appetite (anorexia), skin infections, and poor growth (hallmark) are common signs of an underactive immune system.

Natural herbal supplements can offer your little one’s body support so that their immune system works as it should. So we are not boosting the immune system, leading to a possible overactive immune response, but balancing their immunity.  

Support your Dog’s Immunity Naturally

NHV Natures Immuno is our main recommendation for overall immunity support. This blend of five medicinal mushrooms has anti-tumoral and anti-viral properties. Thus, if your little one is fighting cancer or a viral disease, Natures Immuno can help balance the immune system. 

NHV PetOmega 3 and NHV Turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties that are helpful for elderly pets suffering from arthritis or even for pets with renal or cardiac disease. Both are also helpful in balancing your pet’s immunity. 

Lastly, NHV Multi Essentials is a plant-based multi-vitamin herbal extract that helps fill nutritional voids, aids digestion, and enhances nutrient absorption. Multi Essentials also help stimulate metabolism, reduce fatigue, increase energy, and promote healthy skin and coat. This supplement is indicated for all stages of life, including puppies.

When You Should Offer Immunity Support

In my clinical view, offering extra immune support during all stages of your furkiddo’s life is essential. A puppy should receive the colostrum from their mom as they breastfeed. There is evidence that breast milk may increase the effectiveness of some vaccinations, improve the immune response against certain viruses, support gut microflora, improve bone and muscle function, etc.

The next step is ensuring your little one receives all vaccines recommended by your vet. Some core vaccination will vary depending on your area, as some diseases are more present in certain regions than others. 

An age-appropriate diet that takes into consideration your pet’s health condition and breed is also important. It will help offer all the nutrients your dog’s body needs to support their immune system. 

The immune system will need extra support if your pet has a health condition. For example, Pups fighting cancer, renal disease, and diabetes could really use immunity support. Lastly, senior dogs should also receive extra immune support, especially those with arthritis and other health concerns.


We hope that you discuss your little one’s needs with a trusted vet the next time you think of getting an immune booster for dogs. At NHV, we have a team of veterinarians and pet experts that can help you choose the best supplements to help balance your little one’s immunity or anything else. Reach out to us anytime, and we can answer all your questions! 

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine in 2010 and graduate studies in veterinary pathology (MVSc. 2012 and PhD 2016) at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo. She completed her post-doctoral training at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Saskatchewan in 2018. Dr. Nascimento will be hosting her own blog series and sharing her knowledge with our extended NHV family.

Published: November 8, 2022

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