Vitamin for dog’s works in a very similar way to the vitamins we ingest throughout our lives: they provide the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy body, with high immunity and preventing diseases.
In general, the vitamin for the dog to be strong and healthy is already present in the food you give him every day, but in certain cases, it is necessary to supplement with the guidance of the veterinarian.
Understand now what the essential vitamins for your puppy are, what they are for and where you can find them.
Why is it important to give vitamins to dogs?
As we said, a balanced diet with dry food and even organic and natural food is enough to keep your dog well nourished. The importance, in this case, is not to give extra vitamins, but to monitor your pet's exams to find out if the recommended levels are adequate.
However, if your pet has an illness, has genetic health problems or went through a bad diet as a puppy, for example, it may need to be supplemented with food.
A lack of vitamins can cause the dog to develop:
Digestive problems
Lack of energy and apathy
Joint pain, arthritis and bone problems
Low immunity, favoring the contraction of infections
Dental and oral problems
Excess hair loss
And many other diseases.
The two main purposes of vitamins for dogs
Supplements for dogs have the role of replenishing essential substances to the body or even contributing to some purpose, according to the guidance of the veterinarian.
The vitamin for dogs to gain weight or get stronger, for example, can be indicated for competitive dogs, shepherds that help in rural work or for dogs that spend too much energy during the day.
For these purposes, the dosage of a common feed would not be able to meet the demand.
5 types of vitamins for dogs
Vitamins, in general terms, are essential nutrients for the body, which are obtained in food, for the proper functioning of metabolism.
1. Vitamin A, group B and E
These vitamins are essential for the immune system and, if there is a deficiency, it is necessary to include them in the diet. They can reduce stress in dogs; help prevent allergies, cancer and complications from infections, and even help with fat metabolism.
Vitamin A (retinol) is also essential for the vision of dogs, especially at night, in addition to strengthening the immune system and the formation of epithelial tissue (the skin).
Complex B vitamins
B complex vitamins are essential for the neurological system and vitamin E helps in the formation of red blood cells, in addition to being a great antioxidant for cell defense and elimination of free radicals.
Vitamin B12 for dogs, specifically, is also important for the formation of red blood cells, in addition to helping with the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and the synthesis of protein in the body.
All these nutrients can be found in animal fat, meat, liver, milk, fruits, spinach, fish and cereals. Your dog will store the vitamin in the intestine and use it later in case of a deficiency.
2. Vitamin C for dogs, what is it for?
Vitamins C (water soluble) are important in the constitution of connective tissues, teeth and bones and are naturally produced by the dog's organism.
However, because they are soluble, they are constantly expelled out of the body, in the urine, requiring replacement in certain cases. Dosage must be guided by the veterinarian, as extra doses of vitamin C can pose health risks.
3. Vitamin D and Calcium
Great allies in bone formation, vitamin D and calcium (which are a mineral) are important for muscle development, blood clotting and the transmission of nerve impulses.
Vitamin D aids calcium absorption and can be found in eggs, fish liver oil and sunlight. The absorption of vitamin D in dogs and humans differs in terms of UV rays: Humans need more sun, as the absorption of the vitamin depends on UV rays.
For the dog, what matters is the intake of vitamin D3. Dogs and especially cats absorb very little vitamin D3 through UVB rays, with diet being the main factor in achieving optimal plasmatic levels.
Recent evidence correlates insufficient levels of vitamin D with an increased risk of developing other non-bone pathologies: cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, neoplasms, diabetes, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious diseases.
4. Vitamin K
Vitamin K for dogs is important for blood clotting, as well as being essential for the development and strengthening of bones.
It is found in berries, animal fat and other foods such as carrots and green beans.
Its deficiency can be caused by a malabsorption of fat or in phases of intense development, as in puppies or pregnant and lactating bitches.
5. Vitamin PP
Vitamin PP is niacin, also known as vitamin B₃ or nicotinic acid. Found in fish, eggs, yeast and cereals, vitamin PP is great for the integrity of the animal's body tissues.
The most common way to give the vitamin to the dog is through the foods mentioned above, but in special cases, the veterinarian may recommend pills, capsules, supplements in drops, chewable sticks and other formats.