If your dog is recovering from an injury, there are certain vitamins that will facilitate healthy tissue growth and repair or prevent muscle loss. Dogs that are used to physical work and depend on their physique can also take muscle vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins, stored by a dog's body in small amounts, are safe to give regularly since the excess is excreted on a daily basis. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the dog's liver and fatty tissue and therefore take longer to diminish; these vitamins pose a threat if used in excess.
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Vitamin A
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Vitamin A supports the development of strong muscles and is beneficial to growing puppies. This vitamin is found in the yellow pigment (carotene) in plants. The proper dosage is 2225 UI per pound of food the dog consumes on a daily basis, according to Natural Dog Health Remedies. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin; therefore, over-supplementing can have a negative effect on the dog, such as muscle weakness and bone abnormalities. This is only possible in severe cases of over supplementation. Toxicity is nearly impossible unless you give large doses over an extended period time (months to years), according to PetEducation.com.
Vitamin D
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Muscle control is associated with Vitamin D. Dogs are exposed to Vitamin D from the sun, and they can also get Vitamin D directly through diet from liver or fish oils. Natural Dog Health Remedies recomments 225 IU per pound of food consumed by the dog. Given in excess, although rare, this vitamin can lead to atypical amounts of calcium deposits within the heart, various muscles, and soft tissue, according to PetEducation.com.
Vitamin E
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Vitamin E is helpful in preventing or stalling the development of heart conditions and other muscle disorders. Vitamin E is safe to administer at levels less than 4000-6000 IU per day, and at this level there are no known side effects, according to Natural Dog Health Remedies. Sources of this vitamin are leafy green vegetables, nuts, meats, and wheat germ.
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