Recommended Dog Vitamins

Dogs need vitamins for the same reasons we do: they increase health and vitality and prevent disease. Most premium formulated dog foods contain all the vitamins your dog needs. However, not all foods are created equal, and some fail to provide the recommended daily allowances required to maintain optimum canine health. Knowing the key vitamins your dog needs, and how much, allows you to assess its food and discuss supplementation with veterinarians.

  1. Vitamin A -- Building Blocks

    • Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the liver and lipocytes (fat cells). Dogs exhibiting night blindness, poor coats or skin conditions and stunted growth might be deficient in vitamin A. This vitamin is particularly important for female dogs because it also maintains ovarian health. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin A is 2272 IU, or International Units, per pound of food. Food sources of vitamin A include dairy products, fish liver oil and liver.

    Mighty Bs and Niacin

    • B vitamins are water soluble and not stored in the dog's liver or fatty tissue; as such, the need to supplement the Bs is oftentimes more necessary than fat-soluble vitamins. Dogs need the same Bs we do, but unlike fat-soluble vitamins, daily recommended allowances are based on the dog's weight, not food intake: B1 (Thiamin) at .01mg/lb.; B2 (Riboflavin) at .05/lb.; B5 (Pantothenic Acid) at .1mg/lb; B6 (Pyridoxine) at .01mg/lb.; B12 (Cyanocobalamin, cobalamin) at .00025 mg/lb.; and niacin at .12mg/lb. This powerhouse combo protects the heart, aids in digestive and intestinal functions, helps the nervous system, maintains a healthy coat and skin and balances the dog's metabolism.

    Biotin -- Luxurious Fur

    • Biotin is critical in maintaining the health of your dog's skin and coat; if your dog is deficient in biotin, its fur and skin will show it. Your dog may also suffer from diarrhea when lacking the appropriate daily amount of biotin, which is .001 mg/lb. A good source of biotin is beef liver, something most dogs will devour with ecstasy.

    D -- "Sunshine Vitamin"

    • Vitamin D is known as the "sunshine vitamin" because it is activated in the body by ultraviolet rays. Dogs that spend plenty of play time out in the yard will have no problem activating the vitamin D in their bodies, but making sure they have enough is crucial in maintaining appropriate blood calcium and phosphorus levels, healthy nervous function, skeletal growth and muscle control. The recommend daily allowance of the sunshine vitamin is 227 IU per pound of food.

    Vitamin E -- Protect Those Cells

    • "Deficiencies of Vitamin E will cause cell damage and death in skeletal muscle, heart, testes, liver and nerves," warns PetEducation.com. Dog owners definitely want to ensure their canines are getting an adequate amount of this fat-soluble vitamin; otherwise, in addition to the warning above, the canine might suffer from "Brown Bowel Syndrome," a condition that causes the bowels to ulcerate and hemorrhage. Vitamin E also protects your dog's body from the unnecessary by-products found in many manufactured dog foods. The recommended daily dosage of vitamin E is 23 IU/lb. of food.