The Best Vitamins for Your Dog’s Health & Wellness
While dogs may live completely healthy lives when they consume biologically appropriate foods, vitamin supplements can, in many cases, offer additional amounts of vitamins and minerals to help your dog thrive. Vitamins, a proper diet, and even select safe human foods for dogs may help dogs remain healthy and active as they age. Furthermore, eliminating vitamin deficiencies can help pet parents protect dogs against common health issues.
There are six types of vitamins essential for many dogs. These substances can help your furry friend remain active and maintain a robust immune system. Depending on your pet’s diet, they may need supplements to ensure they get enough of one or more of these vital vitamins.
Here is a closer look at the benefits these vitamins provide.
1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin found in a wide range of foods, such as fish, dairy products, and vegetables like carrots.
Within a dog’s body, vitamin A works at the molecular level, helping cells reproduce and transform. Because of this, it is one of the vitamins that dogs need at a young age as their brain, muscles, and bones develop. It also aids with vision, skin health, and neurological functions.
While it is essential for development, vitamin A is also important for immune system health. Therefore, older dogs can also benefit from a supplement if they do not get the optimal amounts from their regular diet.
2. The B Vitamins
The B vitamins are a family of water-soluble compounds present in both dog and human foods. Found in ingredients such as brewers yeast, they promote healthy metabolism and ensure proper cell growth within the body
In all, there are eight B vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12.
In a dog’s body, vitamin B assists in biochemical reactions that change carbohydrates into glucose. In addition, B vitamins help with metabolism and allow your dog to maintain a healthy weight with appropriate exercise.
There are also preventive benefits to taking Vitamin B. It can help your dog fight against issues that could lead to heart disease and some forms of cancer. What’s more, a supplement can improve nerve functions, immune system response, and blood circulation.
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for dogs that can help reduce potentially harmful free radicals, and it may also help reduce your pet's inflammation.
There are four different sources of Vitamin C: calcium ascorbate, ascorbic acid, ester C, and sodium ascorbate. Healthy dogs can metabolize vitamin C in the liver if they have a well-rounded and nutrient-rich diet. However, supplementing your dog's diet can be helpful, particularly if suggested by your veterinarian.
4. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is responsible for increasing the absorption of important minerals like calcium and magnesium. It helps regulate these minerals so that they remain at safe levels within the body.
Humans and dogs can both get vitamin D from exposure to direct sunlight. Other sources of the vitamin include red meat and oily fish.
In addition to mineral absorption, vitamin D plays an important role in bone (including teeth) and muscle growth. It helps with recovery after physical activity and also speeds healing after injuries.
5. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect your dog's cells from damage caused by free radicals. It also protects polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), vitamin A, and various amino acids.
Vitamin E is in some high-quality, commercially available pet foods. Natural products that contain green leafy vegetables typically have vitamin E, as do foods containing plant oils like coconut, olives, or safflower oil.
However, because vitamin E is essential for the immune system, muscle growth, and circulation, you may want to consider a supplement, especially for older dogs.
6. Vitamin K
Vitamin K is essential for making coagulation proteins needed to thicken the blood. It helps the blood coagulate and clot after an injury so that bleeding stops.
A deficiency may potentially be dangerous because it can lead to excessive bleeding, and you may need a supplement to correct it. Actually, vitamin K comes in two forms. The first, called K1 (phylloquinone), is made in plants and used to create supplements. The second, K2 (menaquinone), actually comes from bacteria that occur naturally inside your dog's digestive tract.
On a cellular level, vitamin K also helps calcium and proteins bind together. This aids bone health and provides the necessary blood clotting functions.
When to Give Your Dog Vitamin Supplements
Ideally, dog foods will provide your dog with most of the necessary vitamins and minerals they need. However, no food is perfect, and your dog's health needs change over their lifetime. Therefore, you may need supplements to help them balance their diet.
While most dogs do not need supplements until they are older, some dogs may require vitamins at a younger age due to different genetic makeup or health conditions. If your dog has special medical needs, supplements and vitamins can go a long way in helping them achieve a better quality of life. In normally healthy dogs, the first sign of a need for a supplement may be a change in behavior, unexplained weight loss or gain, or an inability to recover normally from an injury or illness.
If you know from your veterinarian that your dog has a specific ailment, you may opt for a specialized supplement. For instance, an older dog with mobility problems can benefit from a joint supplement. In some cases, there are multiple formulas of varying strength. For instance, dogs with especially acute arthritis may need a stronger supplement than dogs with less severe problems. Your vet can help you decide on the correct dosage for your pet’s needs.
How to Choose Supplements for Your Dog
You should work closely with your veterinarian to identify the deficient vitamin in your dog's diet. They may perform a blood test or other forms of medical assessment to define exactly which vitamins are missing from your dog's bloodstream.
Your vet can help you identify and choose high-quality supplements. In addition to finding the right vitamins and brand, you should also locate a reputable retailer that can sell you authentic, properly packaged, and preserved products.
There are a few things to look out for when assessing both vitamin brands and retailers. Here are some tips:
- Always choose brands with a good track record and confirmed quality
- Read labels carefully to ensure the proper amount of vitamins and other substances, along with the absence of unnecessary additives or chemicals
- Look for a lot number on the product because it is a sign of a quality control check by the manufacturer
- Look out for any claims that may sound too good to be true or promises that go beyond what your veterinarian tells you to expect from the vitamin
Vitamins can help your dog enjoy a better quality of life. With the right combination of supplements, you may see noticeable improvements in your pet’s behavior and activity level.
