Could Collagen be critical to your dog's wellbeing?
The name Collagen is derived from the Greek word Kólla which means glue! Representing over a third of the protein in all mammals, Collagen does act like a glue, literally holding the body and its functions together as a structural protein.
There are five main Collagen types as defined by Roman numerals: I, 11,111, iV, V. Each type interplays with one other with Types 1, 11, and 11, making up 90% of all mammals Collagen content.
Collagen is an essential protein molecule made up of distinct amino acids. These include: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These proteins form three strands, which make up the triple-helix structure characteristic of collagen, which enables its unique biological interactions.
Collagen that’s sourced from beef or porcine skin, meat and bones provides a dense provision of numbers I, 11 and 111. Recognised in recent studies for aiding physical strength: be it dental, muscular, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and their connective tissues.
It also promotes healthy functional cellular structure, biological cellular interaction, and immune system responses. Not least Collagen’s ability to increase the skin’s strength and elasticity, it supports a strong gut lining and functioning microbiome. That’s where 90% of the immune system resides.
Sadly, as the aging process begins, collagen becomes fragmented and collagen production slows down gradually, but consistently, overtime.
The interest in collagen canine supplements is backed by a raft of new science that unpicks exactly why adding collagen to your dog’s diet could not just be beneficial, but critical to your pooch’s wellbeing.
The question is could dogs receive enough collagen from their regular diet? Certainly, dogs fed on a fresh, raw, whole food diet will intake Collagen from the meat, offal and ground bone as a bio-available source of Collagen plentiful in natural species appropriate ingredients, which includes Bone Broth.
Compared to those fed an overly processed, sterile, ‘kibble’ based diet, which is limited in offering any fresh functional whole foods, including Collagen.
As Collagen depletes as we age, I believe it’s important to supplement, especially post injury, with senior dog stiffness, or the onset of an atopic condition, and any digestive issues.
Interestingly, Collagen production is affected by stress. When discussing a study by the Royal Veterinary College this year, analysing dogs born into the pandemic, noted how 70% of the dogs showed stress and anxiety related behaviours, including attention seeking.
Collagen molecules are far too large and long to be absorbed by the body, it needs to be broken into smaller bio-available peptide chains, a process known as ‘denatured’ or hydrolysation. Interestingly Vitamin C and Vitamin E aid collagen absorption.
With a few brands, including Pawable, offering powdered hydrolysed collagen peptides, there’s also enrichment chews that are collagen supplements perfect for a three in one wellness treat.
‘Nothin to Hide’s new Dental Chews satisfy an instinctual behaviour to chew. The experience releases endorphins helping dogs with anxiety issues, hyperactivity, and boredom.
Combining denatured bovine Gelatine that’s packed with Collagen Types 1,11, and 111, sourced from ethically reared (grass-fed) cows, it’s a healthy ‘snack’ that’s slowly baked with Cassava root to add the essential Vitamin C.
The age-old remedy of Bone Broth is known as ‘ancient cure-all’ for good reason, it’s a rich source of denatured collagen Types 1 ,11 and 11, its packed with electrolytes, minerals and vitamins. Bone broth can be served as a drink, as a gravy on meals, or frozen for cooling ‘isotonic’ enrichment.