Does My Dog Really Need Vitamins?
Are you supplementing your dog’s diet with vitamins? If not, you should be. Sure, vitamins may be in the food your dog is consuming but, it’s quite likely your dog has a vitamin deficiency and you don’t even know it. This is definitely one time that ignorance is not bliss. With the guidance of your veterinary health care professionals, you should consider adding vitamins to your dog’s daily diet.
So exactly how do vitamins improve my dog’s health?
- Vitamins promote normal reproductive health.
- Vitamins promote a shiny coat and healthy skin.
- Vitamins aid in the digestion process.
- Vitamins break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins, which aids in nutrient absorption.
- Vitamins promote the growth of strong bones and long, lean muscles.
Not convinced just yet? Keep reading!
Vitamin A is a powerhouse for specifically addressing reproductive issues. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause male dogs to become sterile and can also interrupt the ovulation cycle in female dogs! Vitamin A is a must for dogs of all ages, particularly growing puppies as it promotes strong muscles and healthy hair and skin. It doesn’t end there either.
Vitamin B Complex is also essential for proper development. It particularly addresses deficiencies that cause hair loss, eye and vision issues, loss of reflex, appetite issues as well as bladder stones. Overall it promotes the regeneration of nerves.
Vitamin C is depleted in your dog’s body when he is under stress. There are many stressors in life for dogs on a daily basis. Illness, injury, vet visits all cause stress and thereby reduce your dog’s level of vitamin C. Even though a dog’s body naturally produces vitamin C, the production is not fast enough to replenish the depleted amounts that are caused by stress.
Vitamin D promotes strong bones and helps them stay that way. Vitamin D is also aids in the control and movement of muscles and nerves. It is essential for growing puppies to receive adequate doses of vitamin D as their bones are growing and forming at a rapid rate.
Above we mentioned a few of the essential vitamins your dog needs as well as how they help your dog. Head out to see your veterinary professional. Attempting to provide supplements to your dog without guidance could result in high levels of toxicity. A good multivitamin may be all your dog needs. It may also be time to reassess your dog’s current diet. A high quality diet is more likely to address any vitamin deficiencies than a cheap kibble diet. Cheap kibble diets generally don’t generally provide vitamins that essential for a long, healthy life.
By Noelle Dunn
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