Dogs require vitamins just as much as humans do. Vitamins help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy besides giving them stronger bones and teeth. The vitamins will also give your dog more stamina to function.
If you plan to add multivitamins or other supplements to your pet’s diet, you need to do adequate research. Please consult your vet about vitamins for dogs and have him prescribe the right ones for your dog.
How to Establish if Your Dog Needs Vitamins
Commercial pet food production companies usually consider all the nutritional requirements of dogs when they formulate pet food. However, your dog may still benefit from additional vitamin supplements. Your dog needs vitamin supplements if:
- Your vet has alerted you about a vitamin deficiency in your dog;
- Your dog has a disease which it can fight off only with the help of prescribed immunity-boosting vitamins for dogs;
- Your dog has been showing signs of joint discomfort or muscle pain;
- You stick to home-cooked meals for your dog, so it’s not easy to calculate and implement your dog’s nutritional needs into its home-cooked meals.
Fix an appointment with your vet and go through your dog’s vitamin needs instead of including vitamin supplements in your dog’s diet on your own. Some vitamins may even harm your dog’s delicate digestive tract.
What Vitamins Does Your Dog Need?
Vitamins are essential to sustain life and health. Dogs need vitamins for growth and health.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, which is naturally present in vegetables like carrots, is essential for good vision. The vitamin is also vital for growth, immunity, and cell functioning. Your vet may prescribe Vitamin A pills if your dog shows signs of poor vision.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B is crucial for dogs. Besides aiding metabolism, glucose generation, nervous system function, and gene activation, Vitamin B is also responsible for energy regulation. If your dog consumes a considerable amount of protein and carbohydrates, Vitamin B is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a critical antioxidant. It delays cognitive aging and helps manage symptoms of inflammation. Dogs can generally synthesize Vitamin C independently, but supplementation may help, especially if your dog is old.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, which is usually derived from sunlight, helps manage the minerals and calcium required for the bone strength of your dog. Like humans, dogs could develop bone and teeth-related issues due to Vitamin D deficiencies. If your dog doesn’t get enough time outdoors or stays in a location where you don’t get enough sunshine, you may want to include Vitamin D supplements in your dog’s diet.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps activate your dog’s defences against harmful oxidation. It is also essential for cell functioning and metabolism. Vitamin E deficiencies can also lead to poor vision in dogs and affect their reproductive health.
Vitamin Supplements for Dogs
The appropriate way to figure out your dog’s vitamin requirements is to seek the help of your vet. If your dog needs vitamins either as supplements to his daily diet or fighting medical conditions, your vet will prescribe the right vitamins and dosage. Your vet may even ask you to incorporate certain natural foods into your dog’s diet.
