Can I Give The Dog Vitamins?

Vitamins are very important to our diet and nutrition  and none of us would hesitate to take them. But when it comes to offering vitamins for the dog, we are in doubt. Can I give it to him? Best not? How to know?

That’s exactly what Minha Animals exists for, to tell you all about this and other subjects that will help you take good care of your pet.

Can I give the dog vitamins?

The answer is yes, not vitamins for human beings, but vitamins made especially for them, which you can find in stores specializing in pet products.

Although they are specific for dogs, these vitamins cannot be administered at any time, only when they are needed, as an excessive dose can cause problems for the pet.

Dog food already contains all the vitamins and minerals that the animal needs. So when is the time to give the dog vitamins?

When can I give the dog vitamins

homemade diet

Dogs that eat homemade food may have a deficiency of some vitamins because they do not have a very balanced diet.

In these cases, it is recommended to supplement the animal’s diet with a vitamin supplement for your furry friend’s body to function properly, as the vitamins are in charge of this function.

However, experts say that  the most recommendable is that the animal has a diet consisting of ration, since this food contains all the minerals and substances that the body needs. This is even more important in the case of bitches that have just given birth, as they have the lowest immune defenses.

Vitamins versus complexes

There are several cases that require the use of vitamins, such as anemia and when the animal is sick or very thin. In situations like these, the use of vitamin complexes is not recommended, as only a few of these substances are needed to treat the problem. As always, the veterinarian will be able to advise you.

Dogs with pathologies

Each vitamin has a different composition and purpose. Vitamin B, for example, is used to treat diseases of the nervous system, while B1 can be of great help against aging.

In these cases, a few doses of vitamins can help improve your dog’s quality of life. Anyway, if you feed your animal with a specific food for the health problem and of good quality, the supplementation of vitamins is not necessary.

Therefore, the food we offer our pet will say a lot about their health, and may improve it and even worsen it. Even if specialized rations are more expensive, they are worth the extra expense, as a good diet will make your pet live longer and healthier.

Vitamins for humans?

In general, it is not advisable to give dogs vitamins for humans. Dogs are basically carnivorous beings and they have nutritional needs that are different from ours.

However, there are some types of vitamin complexes that can be administered in the correct dose. But always remember that the veterinarian must authorize this procedure, as the excess of vitamins or ingestion of substances not indicated can cause problems for your animal.

Vitamins for humans that are normally authorized for use in dogs are:

• Multivitamin Complexes
• For joints
• probiotics
• Fish oil

In all these cases, we can replace vitamin complexes with natural foods. Probiotics, for example, are present in yogurt, and fish oil, rich in omega 3, in fish. Whatever decision you make, always have the supervision of a veterinarian.