Dog multi vitamins are available commercially but it is best to give them to one’s pet under the guidance of a veterinarian. This is because the kind of vitamins required and quantity will depend upon its age, breed and general health condition. Dogs that are advanced in age may not consume as much food as usual and hence they lack certain vital vitamins and nutrients and this will have to be supplemented by multivitamins.
Dog vitamin supplements are required to regulate the day to day activities of the dog for it aids in reproduction, digestive functions, bone growth when young, muscle development, breaking down of nutrients, carbohydrates, protein and flushing out harmful toxins from the body. Vitamins for dog are both fat soluble and water soluble and are usually present in sufficient quantities in high quality pet food. Vitamin C for dogs along with Vitamin A has generally been claimed to be not as necessary as other vitamins because their bodies produce them naturally. Vitamin C has gone through a great deal of controversy as regards possible toxic effects in dogs. However, this is a water soluble vitamin and any excess is flushed out of the body when the dog urinates.
Vitamin C is essential for dogs primarily because of its function as a binder in that it binds muscles, ligaments, tendons and connective tissues in the dog’s body. This vitamin is known to help in cases of viral attacks, urinary tract infections, lameness, and conditions like hip dyspepsia and disks that have been ruptured. In younger dogs, vitamin C has been known to cure certain ailments and in older dogs it does provide some amount of relief from pain and in case of hip problems, it does allow for greater movement. Dog vitamin supplements must ideally include Vitamin A which is necessary to keep its night vision sharp and to maintain a strong immune system to ward off harmful infections. Other vitamins to be included are vitamin D that aids in calcium absorption which in turn promotes bone growth. Calcium which is an essential component ensures strong bones, teeth and cardiovascular health. Vitamins also ensure a healthy and lustrous coat and one sign that the dog is not getting its necessary vitamin intake is a dull, unhealthy coat. Over consumption of certain vitamins, particularly fat soluble ones can prove hazardous to health as they do not get flushed out of the body like water soluble vitamins.