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Do Dogs Really Need Vitamins and Supplements?

August 15 2022

If you have a dog, then you know that they’re the most loyal creatures in the world.They have a lot of energy and want to be active throughout the day. But sometimes their health can suffer if they’re not getting the right nutrition they need, so it’s important to make sure your dog is eating the right diet, including vitamins and supplements.

Read on as a vet discusses why dogs need vitamins and supplements.

Protecting Your Dog’s Health

Vitamins are essential for dogs because they can’t make their own vitamins from food like humans. They need them to stay healthy! If your dog has a condition or illness that requires extra nutritional support, your veterinarian can prescribe additional vitamins to add to their regular food.

Dietary supplements are also used in veterinary medicine.They are typically used to treat conditions such as arthritis or seizures, or may be recommended when a pet has allergies or other gastrointestinal problems or has difficulty digesting certain foods.

Essential Vitamins and Supplements for Dogs

The following are some common vitamin and mineral supplements that can help dogs:

  • Vitamin A -helps maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes, supports reproduction and growth, helps maintain vision , helps with lactation (milk production), maintains healthy teeth and bones, supports immune function.
  • Vitamin B1 (thiamine) – helps convert carbohydrates into energy.
  • Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – helps release energy from food; involved in tissue growth and repair; maintains healthy skin, coat and mucous membranes; promotes normal fertility; helps in the production of red blood cells; promotes normal bone marrow function; promotes normal cellular respiration; promotes normal nerve function.
  • Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect your dog’s cells from damage by free radicals. This is especially important for older dogs or those with health problems such as heart disease or diabetes.
  • Vitamin B-12 helps keep your dog’s nervous system healthy and supports their red blood cell production. If your dog doesn’t get enough of this vitamin through their diet, he may develop anemia. Dogs who don’t eat red meat will likely need additional supplementation to prevent deficiency.

When it comes to your dog’s health, veterinarians are an important part of the equation. You should always consult with your vet before giving your dog any vitamins or supplements since some ingredients in these products could be harmful to your pet if they aren’t used properly or taken in moderation.

If you have further questions or would like to schedule your dog for an examination, you can always call us!

Please feel free to contact us, your local animal clinic in Fox Lake, IL!