One of the most beneficial things we can do for our dogs’ health is help them maintain a strong immune system. Toxins such as vaccines, antibiotics, steroids, de-wormers and toxins found in non-organic raised meats all challenge the immune system, making dogs more susceptible to disease and parasites.

Research has proven that fasting is essential for building a strong immune system. Regular fasting elevates macrophage activity, destroying bacteria, viruses, and other foreign material. It allows the digestive system to relax and focus on important detoxing functions. When the body is able to focus solely on other metabolic activities, it detoxifies, conserves energy and builds resistance to disease.

By allowing the body to regenerate through fasting you can also reverse unhealthy gut symptoms such as upset stomach, diarrhea and allergies.

Here are a list of fasting dos and don’ts.

Do start slow. Start by fasting once a month and slowly increase the frequency to once a week.

Don’t overfeed before a fast. There’s no need to overload your dog’s system by overfeeding before a fast. This taxes your dog’s gut.

Do fast for 24-48 hours. Dogs who are fed once a day will need to skip one meal during a fast resulting in a 48 hour fast. Dogs who eat two times a day can skip one meal for a 24 hour fast or two meals for a 48 hour fast.

Don’t fast growing puppies, elderly dogs, lactating females, dogs prone to hyperglycemia or dogs with serious health conditions.

Do fast regularly. Fasting weekly or bi-weekly helps the body flush toxins on a regular basis, resulting in lower toxin levels within the body in-between fasts.

Don’t feed treats or snacks during fasts. This will stop the healing process in its tracks. Let your dog’s body focus on the task at hand without interference.

Do give your dog plenty of water. If you’re worried your dog isn’t getting enough water during their fast you can give them ice cubes to encourage them.

Creating and maintaining a strong immune system is an important part of good health and the practice of fasting does just that.

Disclaimer: All content provided on WhitneyLiving.com is for informational purposes only. The materials contained here are not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed veterinary professional.

These suggestions are based on research and personal experiences. Whitney Bryson, the author of this site, assumes no responsibility or liability for the use of this information. This content is not meant to replace veterinary advice.