Making sure your dog is healthy is one of the top priorities of every pet parent. Besides food and regular daily walks, vitamins and minerals are a significant part of your pup’s nutrition, helping them fight diseases, increase energy levels, and overall maintain good health.
A good diet needs to include a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. In many instances, dogs won’t need additional supplementation because the food they consume will be enough; however, vitamins are a must if you want to keep their fur healthy and shiny or you have a pregnant female in houselod.
So, let’s take a look at a couple of vitamins and minerals your pup should be getting in order to maintain a healthy diet.
Vitamin B
This is not a single vitamin but a group of important vitamins that play a crucial role in your canine’s health. Thiamine regulates metabolic processes in a dog’s body, along with energy levels. Next, we have B12, niacin, and riboflavin, facilitating enzyme function.
Vitamin B6 is particularly crucial because it enables nervous system function, glucose and red blood cells generation , niacin synthesis, immune response, gene activation, and many other processes. Photogenic acid boosts metabolism, while folic acid ensures protein and amino acid synthesis.
Vitamin C
We could say that vitamin C is one of the most important components in a dog’s diet. It can fight free radicals while reducing inflammation and cognitive aging. Many studies proved the efficiency of vitamin C on a dog’s overall well-being.
Even though canines synthesize vitamin C in their livers, sometimes additional supplementation is beneficial for their health. In fact, many vets recommend regular intake of vitamin C, either through food or in the form of a supplement.
Vitamin D
Commonly known as sunshine vitamin helps your pups to balance minerals like calcium and phosphorus while promoting healthy bone growth. Without sufficient vitamin D levels, your pet won’t be able to develop properly or have healthy bones and muscles.
However, we should mention two equally important supplements for bone development. You’ve probably heard of glucosamine and chondroitin, which many veterinarians recommend for treating arthritis in dogs.
Also, numerous food brands include them in their kibble and for a reason. When it comes to many bone disorders, prevention is the best cure. That’s why it’s essential to take care of your dog from an early age.
Vitamin E
Next on our list is vitamin E, crucial for puppies’ development. This fat-soluble vitamin improves all bodily functions, including cells and metabolism, and protects cells from oxidative damage.
In many cases, deficiency in vitamin E will lead to reproductive organs and muscle degeneration. The amount of vitamin E necessary for adult maintenance, growth, and reproduction is 50 IU/kg. Pups lacking vitamin E may also experience eye issues.
Vitamin K
Among important dog vitamins, vitamin K prevents bleeding problems while enhancing blood clotting. Sometimes dogs will ingest a mouse or a rat, which leads to poisoning and eventually the inability to use vitamin K in their bodies. If it’s not treated properly, your canine might die due to hemorrhaging.
Minerals
We can divide minerals into two groups, microminerals which are necessary in large quantities, and macrominerals your dogs only require in traces. Further on, we will mention a couple of them.
Calcium and phosphorus
These two minerals go hand in hand and are excellent for your pup. They are also crucial for bones and teeth, and calcium is particularly important because it helps with nerve impulse transmission, blood coagulation, muscle contraction, and others.
When your pup consumes enough calcium, it will keep their heart rate stable and other vital organs functioning.
Potassium, Sodium, and Chloride
Potassium, Sodium, and Chloride are the three main electrolytes found in your pet’s body. Electrolytes are the same as minerals; however, they are found in the form of charged particles and ions. Therefore, these electrolytes are essential because they keep your pup’s fluid balanced.
Magnesium
Another vital mineral, magnesium, usually found in dog food, can perform various functions. It’s the main component of intracellular fluids, bones, and enzymes. Additionally, this mineral has a significant impact on neuromuscular transmission.
Iron
Iron is one of the crucial minerals in a canine’s diet. It has so many roles we can hardly mention all of them. However, the most important role is in transporting oxygen through the body. Hemoglobin and myoglobin carry out oxygen through the blood, while iron is a component of these pigments.
Irons also help with the immune system, building resistance. Your dogs can get iron from legumes, eggs, fish, and red meat.
Dog’s nutrition will depend on various factors. In most cases, breed and dietary habits will affect how and what they eat. But, before you start with additional supplementation, check your dog’s food; maybe they are getting the necessary vitamins and minerals from kibble.
Next, assess their health condition and choose vitamins that best support their needs and age. Making sure your pooch intakes a balanced amount of vitamins and minerals will help them lead healthier and happier lives.
