Vitamin Supplements for Dogs

Vitamin supplements for dogs are essential to boost the immune system and to render nutritional calories to your dog. There are numerous health benefits of vitamin supplements for dogs. Vitamins deal with the free radicals in the dog's body and extra nutrition is the need of every aging, sick dog. Many a times, a dog that does not get all the nutrition through dog food is malnourished. So, to avoid any health problems in your pet, it is advisable that you must consult a veterinarian for the vitamin supplements for dogs.

Types of Vitamins

There are two types of vitamins and they are classified broadly into their method of working. The types of vitamins are fat soluble and water soluble. Water soluble vitamins get flushed out easily whereas, fat soluble vitamins get stored in a dog's fatty tissues.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

Water Soluble Vitamins

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B1 (thiamin)
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
• Folic Acid
• Biotin

Vitamins for Dogs

Free radicals in dogs are the by product of the oxidation process. Free radicals are unwanted and are responsible for a number of diseases in dogs like heart diseases, arthritis, cataracts, premature aging and even cancer. Also, these effects are seen if the dog does not get nutritious food and vitamin supplements for a long time. The risk of development of these diseases in dogs is reduced with the intake of proper vitamin supplements. Here are the necessary vitamins and the health problems caused due to their deficiencies. In the third column, the signs of the consumption of certain vitamins in excess have been mentioned. Read more on arthritis symptoms in dogs and dog arthritis supplements: arthritis in dogs.

Vitamins	Symptoms of Deficiency	Excess of Vitamins
Vitamin A	Lower the growth rate, vision problems, diarrhea and skin problems.	Vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, bone deformities and bleeding disorders. Read more on hair loss in dogs.
Vitamin B	Irritability, nervousness, hair loss, fatigue and skin problems.	It is a water soluble vitamin and excess is excreted through urine.
Vitamin C	Breathlessness, slow healing process, dental problems, and impaired lactation.	It is a water soluble vitamin and excess is excreted through urine.
Vitamin D	Vision problems, poor development of muscles, nervous disorders and rickets.	Calcification of muscles, increased frequency of urination and nausea or vomiting.
Vitamin E	Bleeding disorders, collagen problems.	No harm
Vitamin K	Miscarriage	No harm

Vitamin supplements are necessary for the overall development and health of the dog. Besides, it is observed that older dogs do not absorb all the vitamins present in the vitamin supplement. Older dogs eat less and must be given vitamin supplements to compensate the less food consumed. This helps them to increase the immunity and slows down the aging process.

Ingredients of Vitamin Supplements for Dogs

Following are the ingredients of vitamin supplements for dogs, that are available in the market.

Antioxidants
Usually, antioxidants are missing in the daily nutrition of dogs. Antioxidants are scavengers for the free radicals, produced in the oxidation process. If antioxidants are not included in a dog's nutrition, it can damage the normal cell metabolism.

Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B complex increases the appetite of dogs. Excess of vitamin B does not cause any harm to the body as excess is excreted from the body. Read more on loss of appetite in dogs.

Calcium
Calcium is essential for lactating pets and also to prevent bone degeneration. Joints of dogs are strengthened with proper calcium supplementation.

Fatty Acids
Skin and coat problems are prevented and cured with the help of fatty acids. Fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. Read more on the following:

• Dog Health
• Dog Health Problems
• Dog Illnesses

These were some of the benefits of vitamin supplements for dogs. It is recommended that you must consult a veterinarian before you give your dog these supplements.