A dog’s vitamin needs vary from one individual to another. A dog’s body cannot produce all of the vitamins it needs on its own, so it must obtain them through diet. Dogs need vitamins to maintain many essential life functions, to grow, to protect the body, and to stay healthy. Age, workload, and breeding use can all influence how much vitamin support is needed.
The body requires vitamins for building and maintaining muscles, bones, skin, and mucous membranes. Vitamins are also needed for metabolism, energy production, and normal immune system function. Vitamins also improve the absorption and utilization of other nutrients. Dogs need both water-soluble vitamins (C and the B vitamins) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fat, and excess amounts are stored in fat tissue, the liver, and the kidneys. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored, and excess amounts are excreted in urine.
Water-soluble vitamins: B, C, and H vitamins
B: The B vitamin group includes vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12. B vitamins are required for energy metabolism, protein synthesis, and the function of the nervous system and muscles. Dogs that benefit most from B vitamin supplementation are highly active, training, and sporting dogs, as well as growing young dogs. This is because B vitamins support muscle energy production, nervous system function, and metabolic processes.
In addition, B vitamins support coat condition, healthy nails, and blood sugar regulation. A B vitamin supplement may be especially useful during stressful periods, illness, intestinal disturbances, and antibiotic treatments, when the gut’s own production of B vitamins may be disrupted. Dogs can also benefit from B vitamins during seasonal shedding, because the large intestine’s production of B vitamins is often insufficient at that time.
Folic acid, which is part of the B vitamin group, supports red blood cell production and protein metabolism. For this reason, folic acid is particularly important for dogs under heavy physical load.
Sources: meat, legumes, eggs, organ meats, whole grains, brewer’s yeast, seeds
Deficiency signs: hair loss, skin problems, anemia, fatigue, weight loss, general lack of stamina, diarrhea, digestive problems, nervousness.
H (biotin): Biotin, also known as vitamin H and belonging to the B vitamin group, is especially important for nail health and for coat and skin condition. Biotin affects nail quality and durability, as well as the outer epithelial layer of the skin. Biotin also influences metabolism, including the absorption and processing of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. In addition, biotin plays a role in reproductive functions.
Biotin requirements increase during growth. Needs may also rise during pregnancy and lactation.
Sources: Dogs produce some biotin through bacterial fermentation in the large intestine. Additional sources include yeasts, oats, soy, whole grains, dandelion root, and seeds.
Deficiency signs: poor general condition, matted or dull coat, poor skin condition, dry mucous membranes, brittle nails.
C: Vitamin C is needed for iron utilization, and it supports the absorption of other vitamins and nutrients. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It helps prevent the oxidation of fatty acids as well as vitamins A and E. It also supports the absorption of vitamin B12 and folic acid, and it assists calcium utilization.
Vitamin C strengthens bones, teeth, and connective tissues. It is also required for the body’s own collagen production. In stressful situations, vitamin C levels in tissues decrease, and this is particularly relevant for actively competing, sporting, or hard-working dogs. Vitamin C can be important in long-term inflammatory conditions, stress, illness states, or whenever the dog’s immune resilience is under strain. Certain bacteria and viruses can reduce the body’s own ability to produce vitamin C.
Regular adequate vitamin C intake may help ease mild and chronic inflammatory processes.
Sources: Dogs produce vitamin C in their bodies. Good dietary sources include rosehip, nettle, sea buckthorn, other berries, carrot, and beetroot.
Deficiency signs: reduced immune resilience and overall condition, increased susceptibility to illness such as respiratory infections, feverishness, or fatigue. Vitamin C deficiency can stop collagen production, reducing the renewal and functional capacity of cartilage and tendons. Deficiency may also weaken mucous membrane function, which can show up for example as nosebleeds.
Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K
A: vitamin A, also known as retinol, is important for mucous membranes, skin, and vision. Vitamin A supports immune defenses and reproductive functions. Dogs obtain vitamin A from diet both as vitamin A itself and as its precursors (carotenoids), which are converted into vitamin A in the body. Like vitamins E and C, vitamin A also functions as an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals.
Sources: liver, kidneys, egg yolks, animal fats, carrot, sea buckthorn, rosehip, cod liver oil
Deficiency signs: reduced night vision, dull and poor-quality coat, decreased immune resilience, reduced fertility.
D (D2 and D3): Vitamin D, also called cholecalciferol, regulates calcium and phosphorus balance in the dog’s body. It is therefore essential for the growth, durability, and wellbeing of bones and muscles. Vitamin D also supports the body’s immune function.
Sources: fish and fish oil products are good natural sources for dogs, as well as liver and egg yolk
Deficiency signs: reduced intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, impaired bone mineralization. In growing dogs, inadequate vitamin D intake may cause growth disturbances and weaken the skeleton. It is especially important to ensure sufficient vitamin D for dogs in heavy training, growing dogs, and breeding dogs.
E: vitamin E, or tocopherol, is an important antioxidant for dogs. Antioxidants protect muscle tissues from oxidative damage and help prevent muscle injury. Vitamin E needs increase especially when the fat content of the diet increases. Vitamin E supplementation can also be needed during stress, for dogs that train heavily, and for breeding females during pregnancy and lactation.
Vitamin E is required for normal muscle and nervous system function. It supports immune defense and contributes to the normal function of skin and joints. Vitamin E supplementation is often needed for dogs fed home-prepared diets or raw diets. Dogs cannot synthesize vitamin E themselves.
Sources: In nature, vitamin E is richest in plant oils, animal fats, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. The more animal-based the diet, the less natural vitamin E it contains. CdGE is 100% natural, efficiently absorbed vitamin E.
Deficiency signs: nervous system issues, muscle problems, infertility, weakened immune defense.
K: Vitamin K affects blood clotting and bone formation. It also supports cellular metabolism. Vitamin K helps young animals’ skeletal development. As a rule, dogs do not require vitamin K supplementation. The dog’s own gut bacteria usually produce enough vitamin K.
However, in conditions such as diarrhea or intestinal disease, during antibiotic treatments, and in some joint issues, vitamin K may be needed. Poisoning from rodenticide (rat poison) is treated with vitamin K, which helps prevent and stop bleeding.
Sources: plant and animal fats, dark green vegetables, fermented dairy products, egg, berries, liver
