I was walking Luna to the Pet Food Express that is right next to my apartment, when I saw a sign that was explaining the advantages of giving dogs Fish Oil. I never thought of vitamins for a dog, I mean, it makes sense, they need nutrients just like people do. So what else is out there that I'm missing out on? Clearly a lot...
Here's a list of vitamins and how it can help your pet!
Fish Oil
What it does: Improves skin and coat, reduces inflammation from arthritis and allergies, regulates immune system, Improves brain function for puppies and older dogs, fights off kidney disease, heart disease and cancer, and promotes weight loss.
Dosage: 100-150mg EPA and DHA per 10 lbs. (50lb dog can be given 500-750mg)
Vitamin C
What it does: Strengthens the growth of bones and tissues, prevents cancer, resolves problems from hip dysplasia and arthritis, can also help prevent spinal myelopathy, ruptured discs, allergies, viral infections (including distemper), and skin problems. Vitamin C is also a huge pain reliever and can protect dog from the side effects from Vet medicine.
Dosage: 18 milligrams of vitamin C per pound of body weight per day (50lb dog can be given 750-1000mg a day)
B Complex:
What it does: Provides health to the nervous system
These vitamins work together as a team, and so are supposed to be taken together to have the best results.
The following are included in B Complex unit:
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
What it does: Natural flea repellant, B-1 is much more needed in cats because their diets are usually much more deficient in B-1.
Dosage: 0.5-1mg per pound (50lb dog can be given 25-50mg per day)
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
What it does: Prevents birth defects and dandruff. If your pet has a Riboflavin deficiency it often causes cataracts
Dosage: 0.1mg per lb (50lb dog can be given 5-10mg per day)
Vitamin B-3 (Niacin)
What it does: Controls seizures and behavior problems, reduces cholesterol levels, improves blood circulation
Dosage: 5mg per lb (50lb dog can be given around 250mg per day)
Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)
What it does: Fights allergies, inflammations, asthma, and infections. Also helps animals combat stress, reduce depression, and ease anxiety. Vitamin C and B-5 together are highly important for skin diseases and allergies.
Dosage: 0.1mg per lb (50 lb dog can be given around 5-10mg per day)
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
What it does: Helps metabolize protein.
Dosage: 1-2mg per lb (50lb dog can be given around 50-100mg per day)
Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin)
What it does: Prevents nerve damage, aids fertility, and promotes normal growth and development. Giving pregnant females B-12 results in stronger, larger, and healthier young, with better disease resistance.
Dosage: 15mg per lb (50lb dog can be given around 750mg per day)
Biotin:
What it does: Cure for dogs that eat their feces. Essential for thyroid and adrenal health, strong nervous systems and nerve tissue, healthy reproduction, normal sweat glands and bone marrow, and healthy skin.
Dosage: 0.001mg per lb (50 lb dog can be given around 0.05g--you can buy pet biotin in small dosages here)
Vitamin D
What it does: prevents osteoporosis and hypocalcemia, and is essential for normal teeth, bones, and growth; and in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
Dosage: 227 IU per pound of dry dog food that it consumes on a daily basis.
Vitamin E
What it does: Healing diseases of the circulatory system (and preventing them), including heart tachycardia and arteriosclerosis. Promotes fertility, slows aging, prevents cataracts, boosts the immune system, protects the body against pollutants and cancer, and heals the skin. Boosts muscle power and endurance. Improves the function of all internal organs. One of the wonder vitamins!
Dosage: 400 IU per day for small dogs and 800 IU per day for larger dogs.
Calcium & Phosphorus
What it does: Creates bone, tooth, and muscle growth; blood clotting; normal heart rate; and transmission of nerve impulses. Eliminates lead and other heavy metal poisoning. Vitamin D is required to activate calcium.
Dosage: (Usually enough in your dogs food)
Iron
What it does: Creates hemoglobin (red blood cells), enzyme function, immunity, and energy
Dosage: (Ask your vet)
Magnesium
What it does: Detoxes the body of lead and other heavy metals, and is important for the nervous system, enzyme function, heart rate, bones, and muscles. Great pain reliever for dogs with arthritis.
Dosage: (Ask your vet)
Potassium & Sodium
What it does: Helps prevent strokes. It is rare that, other than in cases of heat exhaustion, sodium needs to be supplemented in pets.
Dosage: (Ask your vet)
Selenium
What it does: Produces anti-oxidants. Slows aging and regulates the pancreas (blood sugar). Works well with Vitamin E. Can be very toxic, if given too much!
Dosage: 0.11 mg per kg of food
I give Luna the following 3 supplements: Fish Oil, Vitamin E and Selenium (only 3 times a week, at a very low dose). Please remember to ALWAYS consult your Vet before giving your pet supplements. Although this is what I found in a couple Google searches, it doesn't mean that it is best for your dog!
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