Vitamins and minerals are essential to every life on the planet. Be it for bodily functions, fighting infection, wound healing, bone strength, or regulating hormones, their benefits are more than many. As much as we need them, they are building blocks of your pet’s health too. After all your bundle of happiness depends upon only you for food, shelter, and good health, so they certainly deserve that extra dose of nutrition. But, when it comes to pet vitamins, there are exceptions to the rule. If your pet needs vitamins in general, the best way is to get them into their systems through a well-balanced diet, but if it is due to a medical condition or a chronic deficiency, then they must get the appropriate dose of every essential health-boosting supplement. Keeping into consideration the age, gender, and kind of diet your pet has been taking for years, talk to your veterinarian about the kind of supplement and the dose.
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Human Supplements Are A Big No!
While your dog, cat or other pet may need some vitamins or minerals depending upon the kind of deficiency, it is very important we understand that their needs are different than a human body’s requirements. Do not give your furry buddies a dose of human vitamins. Also never feed them any supplement out of some fad or fear, but only when it is needed. Human health supplements often have different concentrations of vitamins and may even contain additives that are harmful. The veterinary vitamin supplement that is specifically made for cats and dogs is what should be picked for the pet.
Here is a list of pet vitamins you may feed your pet, after checking with your vet about the dosage and other factors.
Vitamin A
This fat-soluble vitamin is responsible for growth, development, immunity and promoting vision health of your pets. Eye care supplements that include vitamin A can also help enhance an ageing pet’s eye health.
Vitamin B
B Vitamins are a group of important vitamins that play a role in pet’s overall health. Thiamine helps regulate energy and carbohydrate metabolism also activating ion channels in neural tissue. Riboflavin, B12 and, niacin help facilitate the pet’s enzyme function.
Vitamin B6
This vitamin is responsible for glucose generation, red blood cell and nervous system function, hormone regulation, niacin synthesis, and gene activation. Pantothenic or vitamin B5 helps in energy metabolism.
Folic Acid
Folic acid plays a role in amino acid and nucleotide metabolism and in the pet’s mitochondrial protein synthesis.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that scavenges harmful free radicals in the body and reduces inflammation. As a rule, pets can synthesize vitamin C on their own in their livers and do not need supplements but in some types of illness, supplementation may be advised by veterinarians.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D allows your pet’s body to balance minerals like phosphorous and calcium for healthy bones. Without this one, your dog would not be able to develop properly or maintain healthy muscles and bones.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a pet’s defense against oxidative damage and is also essential for cell function and fat metabolism. Deficiencies of this fat-soluble vitamin can lead to muscle degeneration and reproductive problems.
Choline For Pets
A vital component of the phospholipid cell membrane, the choline compound supports healthy brain and liver function. It is used for the treatment of pets suffering with epilepsy.
Side Effects Of Excessive Dosages
A little excess of above-mentioned vitamins and minerals do not cause extremely harmful effects, but very high levels can harm your pet’s blood vessels. This situation if arises can be discussed with your veterinarian and a nutritional plan can be chalked out. The vet will recommend supplementing your dog’s diet with specific fruits and vegetables, instead of vitamin supplements or creating a combination of both.
