Vitamins & Minerals for Dogs

Vitamins for dogs: Which ones are important and how do you provide your dog with the best nutrients?

Just like for us humans, an adequate supply of vitamins is vital for our beloved four-legged friends. They play a central role in the health and vitality of your dog. However, it is often underestimated that some commercially available food does not contain all the important vitamins in sufficient quantities or bioavailability. So how do you ensure that your dog is optimally supplied? In this article, you will learn which vitamins are essential for dogs, what they are contained in and why an additional supply of vitamin supplements can often be useful.

Essential Vitamins for Dogs and Their Effects

Different vitamins fulfill different tasks for your dog's health. And these are the most important vitamins for dogs:

• Vitamin A supports vision, the immune system and skin health. Vitamin A is found in liver, carrots and fish oils.
• Vitamin D supports bone formation and the immune system. Since vitamin D is often insufficient in ready-made food, a supplement can be useful.
• Vitamin E prevents cell damage and supports muscle function. Vitamin E is mainly found in vegetable oils.
• Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting and metabolism. Green leafy vegetables and liver provide natural vitamin K.
• Vitamin C Dogs can produce this vitamin themselves, but in stressful or ill situations, additional intake can be useful. Rose hips are a real source of vitamin C power and are therefore included in good multivitamin preparations such as our Multi Vital powder.
• B vitamins support metabolism, nerve function and the immune system. Additional intake is often necessary, especially when your dog is under stress or ill.

Even if you feed your dog food that supposedly meets his needs, it can be useful to supplement it with a high-quality vitamin B complex to ensure that your dog receives all the essential B vitamins.

Vitamins for dogs: What should you pay attention to in your dog’s diet?

Many feed manufacturers advertise that their feed meets the needs. In practice, however, it often turns out that the vitamins are not always sufficient. Often, this is due to the bioavailability of the vitamins and minerals contained. In particular, vitamins that are sensitive to storage and processing can quickly lose their effectiveness. This is where high-quality vitamin supplements come into play.

Special vitamins for older dogs

As your dog gets older, their nutritional needs change. Older dogs in particular often need a more comprehensive supply of vitamins to support their joints, immune system and brain function. Dedicated senior foods are a good choice here - but often do not cover the full and, above all, individual needs of the senior. Special products such as Senior Vital help to cover the increased need for vitamins in old age.

BARF – Why vitamin supplements are also necessary here

The BARF diet is based on the original eating habits of dogs - back when they were still wolves. But even here, a targeted supply of vitamins is important. Many BARF rations do not contain all vitamins in sufficient quantities. Therefore, a supplementary feed is almost always necessary if you decide on this type of feeding. Vitamin B, C, folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids and also minerals such as magnesium and calcium often need to be supplemented. Our Super Barf, for example, contains many important vitamins and thus supports you with BARF.

Vitamins for dogs and their effects on skin and coat

Your dog's skin is the largest organ and quickly shows whether he is well supplied with nutrients. A lack of essential vitamins, especially vitamins A, E and B, can manifest itself in dry skin, itching or dull fur. Vitamin E protects the cells from oxidative stress, while the B vitamins are crucial for cell renewal. A sufficient supply of biotin, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc also has a positive effect on your four-legged friend's skin and hair.

To ensure that your dog's skin and coat health is optimally supported, it can be a good idea to provide your dog with a special skin and coat powder. Such powders contain important vitamins and nutrients that help to relieve skin problems and make dull coats shine again. Did you know that a healthy gastrointestinal flora is the be-all and end-all for shiny coats and healthy skin? Therefore, you should always make sure that your dog is well-positioned in this regard. Spirulina, the power algae, ensures an ideal supply of nutrients and helps to get your dog's gastrointestinal tract back in shape.

When are vitamin supplements useful for dogs?

As a rule, food alone is not enough to completely cover your dog's daily vitamin requirements. Most ready-made foods contain vitamins, but often not in sufficient quantities or in sufficient form for your dog's body to easily absorb. In general, additional vitamin supply is recommended in many cases.

Ready-made food: Although many ready-made foods are considered “complete” or “meet the needs”, vitamins are often no longer present in sufficient quantities due to storage and processing.

• Seniors: Older dogs require a targeted supply of vitamins to prevent age-related deficiencies.
• BARF diet: Dogs that are fed raw food often need additional vitamins, as they are not always contained in sufficient quantities in this diet.
• Skin and coat problems: Dogs suffering from skin problems or dull coats can benefit from a high-quality supplement that improves their supply of vitamins and nutrients.
• Illness and injury: If your dog is currently suffering from an illness or has recovered from one, or is struggling with an injury, a targeted vitamin treatment can be helpful. This will ensure that your dog gets back on his feet quickly.

Vitamins for Dogs – Why They Are Indispensable

Vitamins are essential for your dog's health. Even though many pet food manufacturers claim that their products contain all the necessary vitamins, these are often not enough to provide your dog with the best possible care. Supplements are therefore not only useful for special diets such as BARF or for seniors, but can also be a useful addition to daily feeding. The right vitamins for dogs not only promote vitality, but also specifically support the health of the skin, coat and immune system. If you have concerns about an overdose, speak to your trusted veterinarian beforehand.