About the benefits of vitamins. Varieties of vitamins and their value for the dog's body. The best vitamin and mineral complexes for dogs and puppies. It is no secret that good nutrition for a dog consists not only of correctly selected and balanced in protein carbohydrates and fats feed. In the diet of any dog, vitamins, minerals, probiotics and some dietary supplements are equally important.
In the wild, all this predators (like the ancient ancestors of dogs) are obtained from the carcass of a killed animal (eating meat, internal organs, bone marrow, fat, cartilage and bones). It is more difficult for domestic dogs. Today the dog eats almost exclusively what the owner gives. But not all dog owners are able to confidently say what exactly and in what doses their pet should receive and actually receive with food, and even more so to explain why a particular component of the diet is specifically needed and how it affects the behavior and health of the dog.
To help beginner (and less so) dog owners understand this issue, let's first talk about the vitamins that a dog needs.
What are vitamins for?
Modern biomedical science has more than thirty types of vitamins, each of which is of exceptional importance for the metabolic process (metabolism), hematopoiesis, improving digestion and many other functions, both in the human body and the animal. Vitamins help protect the body from the adverse effects of the external environment, significantly increase resistance to infectious diseases, and contribute to a speedy recovery in case of illness.
However, the abundance of vitamins does not mean at all that all of them and in "horse" quantities must be "shoved" into your pet when feeding. It must be understood that an excess of these active substances in the body is also far from useful. Moreover, your animal receives some of the vitamins (as well as essential amino acids, minerals and trace elements) from food. Naturally, if you feed him with high-quality, balanced composition of natural food or super-premium or holistic food, and not with cheap concentrates with an incomprehensible composition, or even anything at all.
The most essential vitamins for dogs
All vitamins in pharmacology are divided into groups, which are designated by letters of the Latin alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, etc. The lack of all this alphabet in the body of an animal often leads to vitamin deficiency or hypovitaminosis. The most important for the body of dogs are groups: A, B, C, D, E, F, K.
Vitamin A (retinol)
This very important nutritional component is necessary for the reliable functioning of the dog's immune system, it helps to increase the protective functions of the body in case of hypothermia, respiratory tract infections, digestive tract, urinary tract infections. Also, this vitamin is necessary for a dog for the full growth of the body (especially a puppy during the period of adulthood) and reproduction. To ensure the normal functioning of the salivary glands, good vision, skin and hair.
The fact that the animal's body, for some reason, does not have enough retinol (vitamin A) can most easily be determined by the condition of its eyes, when the eyeballs dry out, dull, and the dog's eyelids become inflamed for no apparent reason. The result is night blindness, when in the evening twilight time of the day the dog almost does not see, moves, periodically bumping into objects and trees. Also, the symptoms of a lack of this vitamin can be attributed to weight loss, lack of appetite, decreased energy of the dog. The coat of woolly dogs becomes dull, tousled, tough and brittle, and dandruff appears.
Vitamin B group
The largest group of substances, numbering about 20 varieties, which is important for the growth of an animal, metabolic processes of the body, hematopoiesis and sexual functions.
The most important vitamins for dogs are:
- B1 (thiamine) - is necessary to maintain water, fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism in the body (thiamine is not synthesized in the body of dogs, the animal can receive it only with food or as part of multi-vitamin preparations);
- B2 (riboflavin) - as part of enzymes, it participates in the breakdown and assimilation of fats and some other food components;
- B6 (pyridoxine) - actively participates in protein metabolism;
- PP (nicotinamide) - involved in digestion, carbohydrate and protein metabolism;
- B5 (pantothenic acid) - is necessary for the healthy functioning of the nervous system (vitamin "antistress"), participates in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, stimulates the production of sex hormones and antibodies (which accelerates the healing of wounds and burns), accelerates the absorption of vitamins of other groups;
- B9 (folic acid) - actively participates in the processes of regulation of the functions of hematopoiesis, biosynthesis of hemoglobin and protein, has a positive effect on the functions of the brain and spinal cord;
- B12 (cyanocobalamin) - participates in the processes of hematopoiesis, antibody production, body growth, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, helps maintain a stable acid-base balance.
Lack of B vitamins in the animal's body leads to a noticeable decrease in activity, weight loss (the puppy grows poorly and may remain underdeveloped), increased susceptibility to infections and temperature conditions. The pet develops inadequate nervousness (previously not peculiar to it) and problems with the assimilation of food. In more complex cases, the development of metabolic diseases is possible.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
It is the main anti-infective vitamin. It helps to strengthen the body's resistance to a wide variety of infections, and also activates the work of enzymes, contributing to the complete assimilation of food.
The manifestations of vitamin deficiency (hypovitaminosis) associated with a lack of ascorbic acid in the body are probably known to everyone (at least from fiction). This is the same famous scurvy, when in an animal (just like in a person) gums begin to bleed and ulcerate, joints swell and redox processes in the body are disrupted. All this quickly disappears and returns to normal (except for the most advanced cases) with the systematic intake of vitamin C.
Such cases with dogs are quite rare, as their bodies are able to synthesize the necessary vitamin C from meat foods (in particular, from beef liver) and other foods (with a normal, well-thought-out diet).
Vitamin D
Promotes the retention of calcium and phosphorus in the dog's body, thereby participating in the formation of bone tissue of the skeleton and teeth of the animal, prevents the development of rickets.
This vitamin is especially necessary for a dog at an early age. With a lack of vitamin D in food, puppies become ill with rickets, and in adult dogs, bone disease - osteoporosis can manifest itself. The optimal source of this important component for health has been and remains fish oil, as well as walking in the sun.
Vitamin E
It is extremely important for the functions of the reproductive sphere of the animal.
The main problem that accompanies the lack of this component in the dog's diet is problems with pregnancy and bearing puppies by a bitch.
Vitamin F
It is useful for improving the condition of the animal's skin.
The lack of this vitamin in the animal's body worsens the condition of the skin, making the skin dry and inelastic. Possible manifestations of an allergic rash and an increased predisposition to skin diseases.
Vitamin K
This vitamin is intensively involved in protein metabolism, promotes the absorption of calcium by the body and blood clotting.
The lack of this element in the diet provokes the development of intestinal and liver diseases.
TOP vitamin and mineral complexes for dogs 2016
The following multivitamin and vitamin-mineral complexes took the first positions in consumer demand this year, in accordance with the price / quality principle:
- Category "The best multivitamin complex for dogs" - "Beaphar TOP 10". This complex preparation is able to perfectly increase the general vitality of the animal and strengthen its immunity. Recommended for both healthy animals and animals recovering from illness. And also for pregnant or lactating bitches, dogs with heavy physical exertion. Disadvantages: the drug does not have an attractive taste for an animal; it requires an additional treat or a compulsory giving for especially pampered animals.
- Category "The best vitamins for the skin and coat of dogs" - "Excel Brewers Yeast 8 in 1". A completely natural product based on brewers yeast. Contains all amino acids, vitamins and minerals necessary for animal hair and skin. Suitable for dogs with allergies, seborrhea, dermatitis and other skin diseases. Disadvantages: no.
- Category "The best vitamins for bones and cartilage" - "Gelacan Baby". A complex preparation made from natural raw materials. The product is balanced for the proper growth, formation and function of skeletal bones in puppies and young dogs. Also intended for the prevention of destruction of the musculoskeletal system of elderly dogs and pregnant (lactating) bitches. Disadvantages: there have been cases of a negative effect of the drug on the liver and stomach of animals.
- Category "The best vitamins for the cardiovascular system of dogs" - "Canina Herz-Vital". A unique drug that strengthens the heart muscle, normalizes blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. It is used for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in older dogs, as well as in dogs experiencing great physical exertion. Disadvantages: rare drug; contains a small amount of vitamins.
- Category "The best vitamins for bones and teeth of dogs" - "Canina Calcium Citrat". Natural complex with good digestibility and quick effect. Designed for dogs of all breeds. Prevents the development of periodontal disease and osteoporosis. Disadvantages: due to the absence of phosphorus and some vitamins in the composition, it must be combined with other additives.
- Category "Best Vitamins for Puppies" - "Canvit Junior". A well-balanced feed additive that fully meets the increased need of a growing body for vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Improves the immunity of a young animal, compensates for deficiencies in the diet. Disadvantages: no.
- Category "Best Vitamins for Small Breed Dogs" - "Unitabs DailyComplex". Vitamin complex specially formulated for small breed dogs aged 1 to 7 years. Fully satisfies the animal's need for nutrients, vitamins and minerals, compensating for the deficiencies in the diet. Disadvantages: no.
- Category "Best Vitamins for Senior Dogs" - "Excel Multi Vitamin Senior 8 in1".
The drug perfectly supports the body of a weakened or elderly animal, increases immunity, has a beneficial effect on the heart and joints, and normalizes the condition of the coat. They contain all vitamins, macro and microelements necessary for an elderly dog. Disadvantages: no.
Find out more useful information about vitamin and mineral supplements for dogs in this video:
