Yes, there are actually specific vitamins and nutrients dogs need just like there are nutrients humans need. Just like with people, dogs need to be protected from certain foods and vitamins just like there are foods and vitamins humans need. Here are the exact nutrients dogs need so you know your dog’s nutritional needs:
Vitamins
A deficiency in any one of the vitamins can cause a wide range of disorders from skin and coat problems to breathing troubles to poor appetite. Vitamins are found in meat, fish, eggs, yogurt and cheese.
Supplementation of Vitamins and Minerals
There are many supplements for you to choose from. Dogs have a natural resistance to vitamin deficiency but can still suffer from deficiency if you’re in the dog’s food. Vitamin pills, tablets, and biscuits can be used to supplement your dog’s diet. This way, if you feed your dog a proper diet and vitamin supplements, your dog will not only be healthy but will also live a long life.
There are also special foods for dogs available that contain vitamins in them. These foods will make your dog feel full and help them to eat less, which allows your dog to get the proper nutrients.
Essential Fatty Acids
Some dogs need to consume animal fats and oils while others don’t. When choosing a dog food to feed your dog, be sure to provide all of the essential fatty acids. This will make your dog feel full and allow them to eat less.
Phosphorus
Many dog food manufacturers include phosphorus in their food as a way to keep the price down. However, phosphorus is necessary for the development of bones, teeth, muscles and cartilage. Supplementation of phosphorous can help you dog to feel full and also to be able to move more quickly.
Zinc
Zinc deficiency can cause a wide range of dog health problems. It’s recommended that you supplement your dog’s diet with zinc if you notice your dog is not eating much. Zinc is an important nutrient for the proper functioning of the brain, heart and kidneys. It’s also important to note that zinc supplementation can affect your dog’s skin, coat and teeth.
Cancer
The health of your dog is also affected by their diet. Dogs can develop cancer much like humans. The nutrition your dog receives in their food will play a major role in determining the degree of your dog’s cancer risk. To ensure your dog’s safety, it is important to check the labels on the dog food bags. Beware of dog food with high levels of nutrients such as vitamin E and manganese. These ingredients can cause your dog to get sickly. In addition, these ingredients can be responsible for cancer.
The ingredients you choose for your dog’s food are extremely important and should be researched thoroughly to ensure your dog’s safety. When choosing a dog food, be certain that your dog receives a balanced and nutritious diet. Avoiding dangerous ingredients in dog food is a crucial part of providing safe, quality nutrition for your dog.
Dangers of Red Meat
Red meat can be potentially harmful to your dog. It is extremely dangerous because it contains heterocyclic amines. This kind of meat is often found in hamburgers and hot dogs. It can cause tumors in your dog’s liver and bladder.
The Best Foods for Your Dog’s Diet
Although a healthy, balanced dog food can significantly reduce the risk of cancer, it’s still important to check the label for ingredients that can increase the risk. Ingredients such as red meat, white meat, eggs, soy, corn, wheat, fat, preservatives and artificial flavorings should be avoided in your dog’s diet.
By ensuring you dog gets only healthy food, you can dramatically increase your dog’s life expectancy. As such, you should ensure that you dog eats healthy, wholesome dog food daily to enjoy a longer and healthier life.