Vitamins at a glance:
Water Soluble Vitamins
Vitamins B
Thiamine – Vitamin B1
Important for neurological health.
Riboflavin – Vitamin B2
Important for muscular health.
Niacin
Essential for normal carbohydrate metabolism.
Vitamin B12
Essential for blood cell production. Deficiency causes anorexia and failure to thrive.
Vitamin C
A dog’s body, unlike that of a human, produces vitamin C. As a supplement, vitamin C is used for growing, pregnant, lactating, stressed and working dogs. Vitamin C is also considered an immune stimulator.
Fat Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A
Important for the maintenance and proper functioning of the immune system. It also benefits vision and skin condition.
Vitamin D
Assists in the absorption of calcium from the intestines.
Vitamin E
Acts as an antioxidant preventing damage from free radicals that cause disease.
Vitamin K
Plays important role in blood clotting.
Pet owners have long recognized the benefits of vitamin-mineral supplements in their own diets and many include animal health supplements in their pets' diets. The goal is the same for both: to support the maintenance of normal biological structure and function as well as to help ensure a strong immune system. In a perfect world, the food pets and people eat would provide everything their bodies need; however, as people and their pets deal with, among other things, environmental factors, aging, genetics and activity levels the importance of nutritional supplements has increased.
Essential nutrients
Essential nutrients are substances the dog's body cannot make, for example, the B Vitamins. "Nutritional supplements for pets," Mary King, D.V.M., Director of Technical Services, Virbac Corporation, said, "ensure that dogs and cats have what they need to function at their best."
There are four classes of essential nutrients:
- essential amino acids
- essential fatty acids
- vitamins
- minerals
Essential amino acids are required to make proteins. Protein deficiency occurs when a diet lacks one or more of the essential amino acids. Pets must have 20 amino acids to make proteins. Pet owners just need eight. One very good reason why pets should not be given their owners' vitamins.
Essential fatty acids support bodily functions and aid cells in absorbing nutrients. They are also important for a pet's healthy skin and coat and are necessary for the normal development of the nervous system and brain.
Vitamins have a role in regulating metabolism as well as assisting the processes that release energy from food a pet consumes. Vitamins fall into two categories: water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins, B and C, are not stored by the body; so, supplements can be a good way to keep levels up. The fat soluble vitamins include A, D, E and K. Any excesses of these vitamins are deposited in body fat.
Minerals are inorganic nutrients. Pets require calcium and phosphorus for good bone health. To function well, nerves and muscles also require these minerals.
Common minerals at a glance:
Minerals
Calcium
For strong bones
Iron
For healthy red blood cells
Zinc
For a shiny coat
