DIET & NUTRITION
Vitamins for Dogs: Are You Meeting Their Nutritional Needs?
Vitamins are an underrated ingredient in our dogs’ diet, holding the key to their longevity and well being. Learn about essential vitamins for dogs and their natural food sources!
Arpita Thakur
Dog Nutritionist
Table of contents
You may be familiar with the term micronutrients, which refers to the smaller nutrients (hence the term micro) present in the foods we consume. Micronutrients, i.e. vitamins and minerals constitute the essential components for maintaining the healthy physiological functioning of the body.
While not all micronutrients are considered essential, many of them are vital for supporting healthy physiological functions and must be supplied through our dog’s diets. Don't be misled by the term 'micro' – micronutrients wield a significant impact on your dog's health. Far from having a minor effect, micronutrients play a macro role in enhancing both the healthspan and lifespan of your dog.
These essential nutrients are instrumental in various physiological functions, maintaining a strong immune system, supporting bone health, promoting efficient nerve function, regulating vital processes such as heartbeat, temperature control, and the synthesis of energy, DNA, and protein. Micronutrients also act as antioxidants, helping to neutralise harmful free radicals in the body, and contribute to healthy skin and coat. In essence, micronutrients are key players in the intricate web of processes that contribute to a dog's overall health.
In this article, we delve into the topic of Vitamins for dogs- a topic almost worthy of a novel, but I'll distil it down to the essentials for you. Similar to fats and proteins, there exist vital vitamins that must be fed to dogs, as a deficiency in their intake can result in adverse health consequences.
While not all micronutrients are considered essential, many of them are vital for supporting healthy physiological functions and must be supplied through our dog’s diets. Don't be misled by the term 'micro' – micronutrients wield a significant impact on your dog's health. Far from having a minor effect, micronutrients play a macro role in enhancing both the healthspan and lifespan of your dog.
These essential nutrients are instrumental in various physiological functions, maintaining a strong immune system, supporting bone health, promoting efficient nerve function, regulating vital processes such as heartbeat, temperature control, and the synthesis of energy, DNA, and protein. Micronutrients also act as antioxidants, helping to neutralise harmful free radicals in the body, and contribute to healthy skin and coat. In essence, micronutrients are key players in the intricate web of processes that contribute to a dog's overall health.
In this article, we delve into the topic of Vitamins for dogs- a topic almost worthy of a novel, but I'll distil it down to the essentials for you. Similar to fats and proteins, there exist vital vitamins that must be fed to dogs, as a deficiency in their intake can result in adverse health consequences.
What are the Types of Essential Vitamins for Dogs?
Vitamins are categorised into two groups- fat-soluble and water-soluble. The distinction is not based on their functions but on their solubility in lipids (fats) or water.
- Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are absorbed along with dietary fats. This means that any disruption in the normal absorption of fats can affect the uptake of these vitamins from the gut.
- Water-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, dissolve in water and are not associated with fats. The main water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C and the B vitamins (such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12).
What Factors Determine the Vitamin Requirements for Dogs?
The vitamin requirements of dogs are influenced by various factors, including their life stages. The requirement of vitamins for puppies is higher due to tissue growth. As dogs age, metabolic changes may increase the demand for certain vitamins. Diseases also play a role; prolonged anorexia and conditions like diabetes and kidney disease can impact vitamin levels. Kidney disease, for instance, may lead to a vitamin D deficiency. Medications such as antibiotics can affect vitamin synthesis, and diuretic therapy may increase the excretion of water-soluble vitamins. Additionally, some vitamin requirements are interconnected with other nutrients; for instance, B12 needs are related to the presence of folic acid (B9), choline, and amino acid methionine. Furthermore, certain foods may contain antivitamin substances, like thiaminases in tissues of some freshwater fish that can deactivate thiamin, and ultimately lead to deficiencies.
Essential Vitamins for Dogs: Natural Sources, Functions, and Deficiencies
1. Vitamin A
Biological function – Vision, growth, bone resorption, cellular differentiation, morphogenesis, and immune function
Deficiency can lead to – Retarded growth, poor coat, weakness, skin lesions, weight loss, anorexia, increased susceptibility to infections
Food sources – Liver, dairy products, fish oils, β-Carotene and other food carotenoids that can be partially utilized by the dog’s body – Carrots, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, etc.
2. Vitamin D
Biological function – Calcium & phosphorus homeostasis, bone mineralization, immune & muscle function
Deficiency can lead to – Rickets, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, lameness, lethargy, muscle weakness & pain
Food sources – Fatty fishes such as mackerel and sardines
3. Vitamin E
Biological function – Antioxidative properties and prevents oxidative damage
Deficiency can lead to – Skin disorders, muscle weakness, retinal degeneration, depression, shortness of breath, edema, myopathy, immunodeficiency
Food sources – Sunflower seeds, sunflower seed oil, wheatgerm oil
4. Vitamin K
Biological function – Modifying and activating proteins related to blood clotting, bone health
Deficiency can lead to – Prolonged clotting time, haemorrhage
Food sources – Dairy products, red meat, leafy greens (Supplementing dogs’ diet with vitamin K is usually unnecessary, as their bodies efficiently absorb the vitamin K produced by bacteria in the colon)
5. Vitamin C: Dogs have the ability to synthesise Vitamin C for normal metabolism from glucose.
Biological function – Synthesis of collagen, enhance iron absorption, anti-oxidative effect
Deficiency can lead to – No clinical signs
Food sources – Bell peppers, amla (Indian gooseberry), strawberries, cruciferous vegetables, organ meats
Deficiency can lead to – Retarded growth, poor coat, weakness, skin lesions, weight loss, anorexia, increased susceptibility to infections
Food sources – Liver, dairy products, fish oils, β-Carotene and other food carotenoids that can be partially utilized by the dog’s body – Carrots, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, etc.
2. Vitamin D
Biological function – Calcium & phosphorus homeostasis, bone mineralization, immune & muscle function
Deficiency can lead to – Rickets, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, lameness, lethargy, muscle weakness & pain
Food sources – Fatty fishes such as mackerel and sardines
3. Vitamin E
Biological function – Antioxidative properties and prevents oxidative damage
Deficiency can lead to – Skin disorders, muscle weakness, retinal degeneration, depression, shortness of breath, edema, myopathy, immunodeficiency
Food sources – Sunflower seeds, sunflower seed oil, wheatgerm oil
4. Vitamin K
Biological function – Modifying and activating proteins related to blood clotting, bone health
Deficiency can lead to – Prolonged clotting time, haemorrhage
Food sources – Dairy products, red meat, leafy greens (Supplementing dogs’ diet with vitamin K is usually unnecessary, as their bodies efficiently absorb the vitamin K produced by bacteria in the colon)
5. Vitamin C: Dogs have the ability to synthesise Vitamin C for normal metabolism from glucose.
Biological function – Synthesis of collagen, enhance iron absorption, anti-oxidative effect
Deficiency can lead to – No clinical signs
Food sources – Bell peppers, amla (Indian gooseberry), strawberries, cruciferous vegetables, organ meats
Strawberries can make for great, healthy snacks for your dog! Image courtesy: pexels.com
6. B-Vitamins
Ø Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Biological function – Essential for proper nerve & cardiac function
Deficiency can lead to – Weight loss, anemia, cardiac hypertrophy, slower than normal heart rate
Food sources – Pork & pork organs, oats
Ø Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Biological function – Coenzyme in cellular processes and plays a crucial role in metabolic processes.
Deficiency can lead to – Retarded growth, dermatitis, eye discharge, conjunctivitis, decreased respiratory rate, progressive weakness, and death
Food sources – Liver, chicken, yogurt, eggs
Ø Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Biological function – Contributes to functions like DNA repair and plays a role in the synthesis of fatty acids
Deficiency can lead to – Diarrhea, necrosis of tongue, convulsions, uncontrolled drooling, ulceration in mouth
Food sources – Liver, chicken, red meat
Ø Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Biological function – Plays a central role in energy metabolism, lipid synthesis, and various biochemical pathways essential for overall health
Deficiency can lead to – Severe malnutrition, increased heart rate, fatty liver, compromised immune system
Food sources – Liver, meat, fish, dairy products, whole grains
Ø Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Biological function – Acts as a coenzyme in important amino acid reactions vital for various physiological functions & neurotransmitter synthesis
Deficiency can lead to – Anemia, retarded growth, loss of appetite, crystals in urine, renal tubular atrophy
Food sources – Liver, meat
Ø Folic acid (folate)
Biological function – Essential for DNA synthesis, cell division and amino acid metabolism
Deficiency can lead to – Low WBCs, anemia, inflammation of tongue, disruption in iron metabolism, erratic appetite
Food sources – Liver, leafy greens, legumes
Ø Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Biological function – Involved in formation of RBCs, and maintaining the health of the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord
Deficiency can lead to – Anemia, neurological issues, low neutrophils, lack of appetite, cognitive impairment
Food source – Liver (higher concentration in ruminant liver compared to poultry liver)
Ø Choline
Biological function – Plays an important role in liver function & cell membrane structure
Deficiency can lead to – Fatty liver, decreased growth rate, weight loss, vomiting, lack of appetite
Food source – Eggs, organ meats
Ø Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Biological function – Essential for proper nerve & cardiac function
Deficiency can lead to – Weight loss, anemia, cardiac hypertrophy, slower than normal heart rate
Food sources – Pork & pork organs, oats
Ø Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Biological function – Coenzyme in cellular processes and plays a crucial role in metabolic processes.
Deficiency can lead to – Retarded growth, dermatitis, eye discharge, conjunctivitis, decreased respiratory rate, progressive weakness, and death
Food sources – Liver, chicken, yogurt, eggs
Ø Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Biological function – Contributes to functions like DNA repair and plays a role in the synthesis of fatty acids
Deficiency can lead to – Diarrhea, necrosis of tongue, convulsions, uncontrolled drooling, ulceration in mouth
Food sources – Liver, chicken, red meat
Ø Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Biological function – Plays a central role in energy metabolism, lipid synthesis, and various biochemical pathways essential for overall health
Deficiency can lead to – Severe malnutrition, increased heart rate, fatty liver, compromised immune system
Food sources – Liver, meat, fish, dairy products, whole grains
Ø Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Biological function – Acts as a coenzyme in important amino acid reactions vital for various physiological functions & neurotransmitter synthesis
Deficiency can lead to – Anemia, retarded growth, loss of appetite, crystals in urine, renal tubular atrophy
Food sources – Liver, meat
Ø Folic acid (folate)
Biological function – Essential for DNA synthesis, cell division and amino acid metabolism
Deficiency can lead to – Low WBCs, anemia, inflammation of tongue, disruption in iron metabolism, erratic appetite
Food sources – Liver, leafy greens, legumes
Ø Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Biological function – Involved in formation of RBCs, and maintaining the health of the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord
Deficiency can lead to – Anemia, neurological issues, low neutrophils, lack of appetite, cognitive impairment
Food source – Liver (higher concentration in ruminant liver compared to poultry liver)
Ø Choline
Biological function – Plays an important role in liver function & cell membrane structure
Deficiency can lead to – Fatty liver, decreased growth rate, weight loss, vomiting, lack of appetite
Food source – Eggs, organ meats
Chicken liver is a great source for most B-Vitamins essential for your dog. Image courtesy: pexels.com
Each vitamin has a unique role, and deficiencies can lead to a range of health issues, underscoring the significance of ensuring our dogs’ diets are diverse and nutritionally complete. Vitamins have a colossal impact in supporting various physiological functions, from maintaining a strong immune system and promoting bone health to regulating essential processes like heartbeat and energy synthesis. The importance of a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods cannot be overstated. So, as you prepare each meal for your dog, remember that you're not just feeding your dog; you're nourishing her/his vitality and contributing to a life filled with health, and tail-wagging happiness.
Happy Pet Parenting!
Happy Pet Parenting!
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About the author
Arpita Thakur
Dog Nutritionist, 5 yrs exp
Arpita Thakur is a Canine Nutrition Consultant and founder of Eternal Canine. She holds a Diploma in Canine Nutrition from the British College of Canine Studies along with multiple other certifications.
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