Recommended Daily Vitamins for Dogs

Daily vitamins can contribute greatly to your dog's well-being, because they are necessary for multiple different chemical reactions and processes in the body. The dog can assimilate vitamins from food, but in order to prevent deficiencies and maintain good bodily health, it's best to administer daily vitamins to your dog.

Why Dogs Need Vitamins

Puppies need vitamins for their bones and for the overall growth. Dogs which are under heavy training also need vitamins to keep in shape. Older dogs might only be able to assimilate insufficient amounts of vitamins from food; therefore, supplements are needed in their diet. It is best to consult your veterinarian and see exactly what kind of vitamins your dog needs according to his age, lifestyle, training or competition program.

Recommended Daily Vitamins for Dogs

There are two main types of vitamins: fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) and water soluble vitamins (C, B). Each type of vitamin has a specific role and helps improving specific functions. It's best to consult your veterinarian and see if the overall health and well-being of your pet needs improving.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E and K. There is usually no need to supplement fat soluble vitamins, since the dog gets enough of those from the food. They all have a specific contribution to the overall health of the dog:

• Vitamin A: Good for skin and coat, helps with growth.
• Vitamin D: Helps with the health of teeth and calcium assimilation in the body.
• Vitamin E: Prevents cancer and improves the immune system.
• Vitamin K: Essential for blood coagulation and metabolism in general. It also reverses the effects of rat poison in dogs.

Vitamin A is found in oil, vegetables, liver and dairy products. Dairies and fish oil also contain vitamin D, which is activated by sun. The sources of vitamin E are meats, vegetable oils and vegetables with green leaves. Egg yolks are rich in vitamin K. There are also supplements that you can feed your dog, but it's best to consult your veterinarian for that. 

Water Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin C and the vitamin B complex are water soluble vitamins. Vitamin B is the generic term for 8 water soluble vitamins. Both vitamin C and B have an important role in metabolic processes.

• Vitamin C: Prevents hip dysplasia, common cold and urinary infections
• Vitamin B1: Helps turn glucose into energy
• Vitamin B2: Contributes to growth, metabolism and red blood cell production
• Vitamin B3: Good for the nervous system, cholesterol levels and sanguine circulation
• Vitamin B5: Recommended for allergies, immune system and skin diseases
• Vitamin B6: Crucial for protein metabolism
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid): Essential for DNA synthesis, immune system, red blood cell production and metabolism of proteins
• Vitamin B12: Important for growth and reproduction
• Biotin: Good for the nervous system, reproduction and healthy skin, hair and muscles

All water soluble vitamins can be obtained from fruits, vegetables, meat, dairies, soybeans and corn, but it is recommended to consult your veterinarian and see whether your dog needs supplements of daily vitamins or not.