When you’re a pet mom, this can also be likened to that of being the new mother of a child. Yes, a dog is very nice to have, but it’s not always going to be fun and games. You also have a responsibility to fulfill, to ensure that your dog’s needs are met. Among these needs, the most important has to do with their nutrition.
Whatever it is that you’re feeding your dog, be it dog food, or regular food like human beings, you have to make sure that they receive all the vitamins and minerals that they need. Else, without these, they’re also now more susceptible to lifestyle and health diseases.
Panorama banner with assorted fresh foods for preparing healthy raw barf for cats and dogs with vegetables, oats, offal, organs, stomach, meat, toys and a bone in a colorful display
Remember that the functional effect of food stems from the very root of it all: its ingredients. That said, this is one thing for you to be very mindful of when selecting through the various options of what it is that you could and should feed your dogs.
That said, here are some of the essential vitamins and minerals that your dog should never be without:
1. Vitamin A
Firstly, dogs need a diet that’s rich in Vitamin A. Once ingested, Vitamin A that your dog takes in is stored in healthy cells and fats that are also in the liver. Vitamin A is mostly needed for the proper function of the eyes.
When your dog is deficient in Vitamin A, one of the telltale signs are the following:
- Your dog has a dull, rough and an itchy skin or coat
- You’re having difficulty breeding your dog, despite multiple tries
- Your dog isn’t growing as well as they should be
- Your dog suffers from night blindness
Some of the best sources of Vitamin A include:
- Carrots
- Turnip
- Spinach
- Eggs
- Liver
2. Protein
Protein has several functions in the dog’s body. This fact still stems from the very function of protein, as it contains the essential amino acids, which, in turn, are also the building blocks of tissues. Adequate protein in your dog’s body is vital, as these tissues form part of your dog’s hair, skin, and nails. Even more importantly, they’re also needed for the musculoskeletal and immune system functions of your dog.
Dogs function differently from how human beings do, being that they need to replace their skin and hair regularly. Without a proper diet rich in protein, your dog can’t keep up with this need.
If you have a female dog, all the more is this need to ensure that their protein levels are good increases. These pregnant or lactating females need to have more protein than the average dog has so that they can produce enough milk for all of their puppies. To keep up with the lactating needs, there are numerous supplements from quality providers. Visit InnovetPet.com to start your search.
3. Vitamin D
Dogs need Vitamin D to have that adequate balance of calcium and phosphorus in their body. Especially for the bigger and more muscular dogs, calcium is necessary, so that their nerve, muscle, and bone control is better. But, it’s essential to draw the line here of what’s accurate and what isn’t. Else, going beyond the proper Vitamin D dose needed by your body can also get your dogs intoxicated.
The common sources of Vitamin D for dogs are the following:
- Marine fish oil
- Cottage cheese
- Fatty fish
- Beef
- Egg yolks
Here are other good reasons your dog is going to need to have an adequate supply of Vitamin D in their body:
- It keeps its overall health in optimal condition.
- It prevents the onset of heart diseases.
- It also reduces the risk of cancer.
4. Water
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Water makes it to the list of the top nutrients that your dog needs. No matter how well-fed with the proper vitamins and minerals your dogs may be, if they lack water, then these vitamins and minerals can’t function effectively in their body. Water is the main component of your body, or else it can’t absorb these nutrients. Worse, your dog is going to fall into dehydration.
That said, here are other compelling reasons why water is essential for your dogs:
- It carries nutrients in and out of the cells of your body
- It aids in the digestion of food
- It cools down your dog’s body, so that your dog also doesn’t overheat particularly if they’ve got a thick coat, and the hot summer months come along
- It helps your dogs to move better and more smoothly
5. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that’s also labeled as essential for your dog to have. With Vitamin E, your body is kept safe from free radicals that can take over your dog’s healthy cells. Apart from that function, it’s through having an adequate amount of Vitamin E that your dog can maintain a robust immune system, healthy skin and coat, and good heart health.
Rich sources of Vitamin E include:
- Liver
- Plant oils
- Whole grains
- Green leafy vegetables
- Bran
6. Calcium
Calcium is classified as an essential mineral needed by your dogs, in the same vein as human beings. When your dog has the right amount of calcium that its body needs, its bones, teeth, and blood clot function stays healthy. With the right amount of calcium in your body, your dog’s muscles can also lengthen and contract, which is needed for the cells of your dog’s body to function well daily.
But, like all the other essential nutrients and minerals, it’s also imperative that you’re able to stay within the proper limits. A good way for you to determine the appropriate dose of calcium needed by your dog is to factor in their breed, age, genes, and overall health condition.
Conclusion
When you feed your dogs with what’s considered superfoods, you’re guaranteed that they have everything they need to be well-nourished and healthy. Dogs need the right minerals, for them to have enough energy to carry on with the day, too. Even if you have to feed your dog regularly with commercial dog food because this choice is most convenient, you can still make sure that it isn’t low in nutritional value. This starts by learning how to check the label, and making sure that these vitamins and minerals enumerated above are all present.
