Keep your dog on top of health with complete and balanced dog vitamins. But how do you make sure that your dog is having the best supplements packed full of essential vitamins and minerals that your dog needs?
Here are some guidelines on choosing dog supplements and a few recommendations by our pet experts.
AT A GLANCE (SEE ON AMAZON):
- Our Top Pick: Naturasil Chewable Dog Vitamin
- Runner Up: Milk-Bone Good Morning Daily Vitamin
- Also Great: Nutri-Vet Multi-Vite Chewables for Dogs
- Also Great: Nupro All Natural Dog Supplement
- Also Great: Miracle Care Vionate Vitamin Mineral Powder
How to choose Vitamin Supplements for Dogs
Choosing a vitamin supplement is important to identify what your dog may need for better health. And the best way to do this is by consulting your veterinarian.
Nowadays, there are specific multivitamins for many diseases and health conditions of our dogs. For example, there are vitamins for pregnant dogs, for joint pain and support, for shedding, for eye care, for older dogs, for puppies, for allergies, for skin and coat health, and for immune system protection.
Depending on your dog’s condition, choose a supplement that has the ingredients of what he needs. Upon consultation with a vet, he would be able to tell you what is best for your furry companion. He is the best person to tell you what your pet needs.
Generally, dogs need vitamins and minerals to boost their health and keep them away from sickness. These can be provided by dog food from well-trusted brands and pet product manufacturers offering high-quality and wholesome goodness.
However, when your dogs have specific health conditions, they may need a lot more specific vitamins and minerals that their dog food cannot provide.
But, on a general note, the following are the vitamins and minerals dogs generally need and their food sources.
Vitamin A
Food Sources: Vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, turnips, and green, leafy vegetables.
Good for: Eyes support, body cleansing, cell functions, and fighting infections.
Vitamin D
Food Sources: Marine and fish oils, egg yolks, liver, some cheese, beef
Good for: Enhances absorption of phosphorous and calcium.
Vitamin E
Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables, bran, and whole grains.
Good for: Better coat and skin, healthy joints, and acts as antioxidants, promoting proper blood circulation and cardiovascular function as well as protecting the body from free radicals, which can damage cells.
Vitamin B-Complex
Food Sources: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, liver, dairy products, and nuts.
Good for: Red blood cell function, enzyme functions, nervous system support, release energy, brain support, and cognitive functions, and help in fat metabolism.
Vitamin C
Food Sources: Vegetables and fruits.
Good for: Provides antioxidants, boosts immune response, promotes cardiovascular health, cognition, and joint support, especially for senior dogs.
Vitamin K
Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables, liver, milk, and fish.
Good for: Aids in better blood flow and blood clotting.
Omega fatty acids
Food Sources: Fish oil.
Good for: Promotes better coat and skin health and treatment of allergies.
Calcium
Food Sources: Dairy products, cheese, and milk.
Good for: Building bones and teeth.
Zinc, Magnesium, Manganese, Folic Acid, and Copper
Food Sources: Green, leafy vegetables, dairy products, cheese, and milk.
Good for: Promote overall wellness as they help in body functions and biological reactions in the body.
So, in choosing a dog multivitamin, make sure that it has these essential ingredients. Then, give your dogs only the best to keep them healthy and active.
Also, when purchasing supplements for your dogs, check for the mark of approval of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). The National Animal Supplement Council is a non-profit organization aiming to protect and promote the health of animals.
What are the Best Vitamins for my Dog?
Review and research done by our pet experts here on dogchool.com reveal several pet supplements that are worth checking out. Here are the top 5!
Our Top Pick
- DOES NOT CONTAIN DAIRY. PROVEN IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT and overall recovery of missing vitamins and nutrients required by all types and ages of dogs.
- FOR ALL life stages, breeds, and sizes, Does not contain milk or milk by-products.
- VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED and scientifically formulated for maximum immune support for your dog.
Runner Up
- Contains (4) 6 Ounce Bottles of Daily Vitamin Treats for Dogs
- Tastes Like a Treat Works Like a Vitamin*
- Each formulation has a unique blend of nutrients to help support specific functions and is not 100% complete and balanced
- Helps support immune system, brain & heart, and digestion
- With beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
Also Great
- Supports Overall Health - Made with beneficial vitamins and minerals that complement your dog's diet including B-complex vitamins.
- Supports Skin Health - Vitamin A supports normal skin and mucous membrans while fighting free radicals
- Optimal Absorption - Vitamin D facilitates proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
- Nervou System Support - Vitamin C supports nervous system, brain function along with joint, cardiovascular and immune health.
Also Great
Worthy to Consider
- Contains more than double the amounts of Vitamin A and D3, and three times the amount of Iron than other brands.
- More Vitamin C, E and Manganese than other brands
- Contains important nutrients like Choline Chloride and Cobalt that others don't
Should you Give Dogs Vitamins?
When your dog experiences a specific vitamin deficiency illness or any other health condition, giving them dog supplements may help.
Pet owners who are preparing homecooked meals for their furry companions should consider dog supplements in addition. No matter how wholesome, homecooked dog food may not have the essential vitamins and minerals your pup needs.
While you may think that a complete and balanced meal is what your dog needs, there may be instances when they would need a bit more of some specific vitamins and minerals.
Take, for instance, the case of senior dogs. As dogs age, they need more Vitamin B and Vitamin C to support their aching joints.
On the other hand, dogs that are prone to skin allergies need more Vitamins A and E and fatty acids to keep their skin moisturized and alleviate skin itching and allergies.
Again, consult with the vet first to maximize your knowledge of what would be best for your furry companion.
What about Organic Dog Vitamins?
Organic vitamins are those that include only natural ingredients as compared to synthetic vitamins. Vitamins for dogs that are organic contain whole foods among their ingredients which provide the necessary nutrients to help your dogs stay healthy.
While there are lots of options out there for your dogs, getting something organic is definitely better for them.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, your dogs would surely benefit from any dog supplement. It surely brings lots of health benefits provided that it has all the ingredients providing the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs.
Be a responsible pet owner by consulting with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any multivitamins.
Read the labels and packaging of the dog multivitamins you are purchasing to ensure that it is what your vet recommended that is best for your pup.
Can you give your dog human supplements?
Like other people, this question might have crossed your mind too. And the simple answer is No.
Do not give human vitamins or supplements to your dog. No matter how effective your vitamin supplements may be, human multivitamins are not intended and may not be safe for canine consumption.