What are vitamins and what do they do? Knowing what vitamins your pet needs can be difficult to find out! Like humans, every animal is unique and has different needs. So, how do I know what my pet needs? In this blog we’ll discuss what vitamins & supplements can be helpful to help them live a healthy life!

What are Vitamins?

Vitamins are organic compounds that your pet needs to sustain life, grow, and be healthy. Most vitamins and minerals are found naturally in food. You are probably already familiar with most essential vitamins needed for the human body. Dogs need basically the same vitamins as humans, but the levels they need are different than humans. If dogs are given inappropriate amounts of vitamins or minerals, it can cause deficiencies or toxicities that result in serious health problems. This is why it is important to get recommendations from your veterinarian. (2)

What are Minerals?

Minerals are inorganic substances that are used by the body to build teeth and bones, carry oxygen in red body cells, maintain a proper pH, regulate enzymes, contract muscles, conduct nerve impulses, and more. Minerals are divided into two groups: major minerals and trace minerals. Major minerals are required in large quantities, and include phosphorus, calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur. Trace minerals are required by the body in small amounts, and include copper, zinc, iodine, chromium, manganese, selenium, and fluorine. (2)

The most common vitamins that all pets can benefit from are listed below: (1)

Vitamin D helps dogs maintain phosphorus and calcium balance for healthy bone and muscle growth. It is also important for the immune system and growth in puppies.

Vitamin E supports the growth of puppies and is a valuable antioxidant in senior pets. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that benefits cell function, metabolism, and defense against oxidative damage. Deficiency will lead to muscle degeneration and reproductive problems.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and helps prevent bleeding problems and improves blood clotting.

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is required for growth, a healthy immune system, cell function, and eye health.

Choline is a key nutrient for dogs and aids in important liver and brain function.

B Vitamins regulate metabolism, are important for health of the nervous system, proper function of red blood cells, gene activation, hormone regulation, and a healthy immune system. While B vitamins offer benefits for all pets, they are noted to alleviate fatigue and improve appetite in some older pets.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation, improves cognitive aging, and healthy immune function, making it especially valuable in senior pets.

How Do I know What my Pet Needs?

Before adding supplements to your dog’s food, it is best to always check with your veterinarian. Remember that most dogs can get all the vitamins and minerals they need from their dog food, but some dogs can benefit from a multivitamin supplement. (1) Most every-day vitamins listed above can be found in our Multi-Vitamin food topper! Adding this to your pet’s food is an easy way to ensure they are getting their recommended nutrients.

Foods catered toward different life stages, like puppy food, adult dog food, and senior dog food, contain different levels of certain vitamins, depending on the requirements of that life stage. This is especially important for large-breed puppy foods, as these breeds can develop diseases, such as hip dysplasia, if their food contains vitamins and minerals, like calcium, that make them grow too quickly. (2)

Again, we always recommend contacting your vet to ask what vitamins, minerals, or supplements they recommend for your specific pet. This can differ based on breed, size, age, activity levels and more.

At Licks Pill-Free, we carry a variety of supplements that can be used for a number of different purposes. If you have an aging cat or dog, our Senior supplement is there to support heart and joint health. If you have a very active dog, your vet may recommend a supplement high in fish oil or glucosamine such as Licks Joint + Heart! Licks also carries natural supplements for Digestion, Immunity for Cats, Urinary Tract Care, Dog Endurance Aid, and more!