6 vitamins for dogs

Like humans, dogs have a set of nutritional needs to cover. As responsible owners, we must worry that our dog has an adequate diet that will help him to have a strong health. However, our furry friends also grow older and may present different problems throughout their lives. That is why it is usually more frequent to resort to vitamins when a dog is older. If you detect any symptoms that your dog may have a health problem it is vital that you go to the veterinarian for a review. In many occasions, it is possible that our dog suffers from a nutritional deficit that can be solved with adequate nutrition.

In this article we provide you with 6 vitamins for old dogs, adults or any age.

The role of vitamins in dogs

We must specify that vitamins for dogs are not always necessary . That is, all dogs need vitamins to have good health, but not all need to give them some type of vitamin supplement. Vitamins are ingested through food, and when this is adequate the levels of vitamins needed are usually optimal. However, in the case of giving our dog a low quality feed, it is most likely that we should require a vitamin supplement for dogs. Otherwise, the health of the dog could be compromised.

The vitamins are necessary for the health of the eyes, the skin, the bones and the coagulation of the blood, among others. It is for this reason that a deficit of vitamins in dogs can lead to health problems. In this post we explain when to take your dog to the vet, considering his age.

How to know if my dog needs vitamins

As we have specified in the previous point, vitamins for dogs do not always have to be necessary. In fact, it should not depend on us the decision to give vitamins to our dog, but the veterinarian. Keep in mind that sometimes it is not obvious that a dog may need vitamins, so it is best to take our dog once a year to check to make sure they do not have any nutritional deficit or other problems.

Some of the symptoms of the lack of vitamins in dogs are greater fatigue, changes in the coat and less physical activity . These symptoms could mean a multitude of conditions, so if they are noticeable we should visit the veterinarian. The most frequent thing is to have to use vitamins for old dogs, since they can have more deficiencies of different nutrients. In these cases the veterinarian can recommend the best vitamins for your dog depending on their needs.

Those people who feed the animal with home-made feed will have to resort to the vitamins for dogs. Unless it is not a balanced homemade diet approved by the veterinarian, it is likely that a dog fed on home-cooked food does not cover all of its vitamin needs. However, in this article we explain how to make homemade food for your healthy dog so that you do not put your health in danger.

6 vitamins for dogs

Vitamin A

This type of vitamin for dogs is necessary for the health of the eyes, the skin and the regeneration of tissues. A deficit of this vitamin can lead to problems in the development of the dog, hair changes or when breeding.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B2 is important for the development of the dog, especially the growth of muscles and proper fur . Vitamin B3 is important in the health of enzymes, so that the body performs chemical functions. Vitamin B5 allows energy to be obtained from proteins and carbohydrates, B6 is necessary for the body to use amino acids, and B9 and B12 are responsible for producing red blood cells. Among the vitamins for elderly dogs, vitamin B1 is used to combat the symptoms of old age thanks to its antioxidant effect.

Vitamin C

Among vitamins for old dogs, this complex is very important when acting on the mineralization of bones, which is why it is used in cases of hip dysplasia. In this post we explain how to find out if your dog has hip dysplasia.

Vitamin D

This vitamin for dogs intervenes in the formation of bones by providing optimal amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, which deficit could lead to osteoporosis.

Vitamin E

It is important in the generation of membranes and cellular respiration, in addition to acting on the metabolism of fats.

Vitamin K

Among vitamins for dogs, vitamin K is especially relevant for proper blood coagulation, although an excess of it could cause anemia. On the contrary, a deficit of this vitamin in dogs could lead to hemorrhages and coagulation problems.

In addition to vitamins for dogs, keep in mind that minerals are also very important in your diet. They are found in many foods of vegetable and animal origin and are especially relevant in the development of bones and cartilage.