subject: Dog and cat Vitamin supplements [print this page] Dog and cat Vitamin supplements Dog and cat Vitamin supplements
We all know multivitamins benefit humans immensely, and are vital for proper nutrition. We also know that without sufficient vitamins and minerals, we become malnourished and susceptible to diseases such as rickets, scurvy, and beriberi. But what we may not know is that pets also need and benefit from vitamin supplements. While good-quality pet food typically contains a fair amount of these nutrients, some pets may need additional vitamins and minerals to aid in their system function. Without them, your pets' lifespans can be cut short. Conversely, over-supplementation can be dangerous, too. Be sure to consult with your vet before buying and/or administering vitamin supplements to your pets, and be sure to read the label carefully.
Many factors can contribute to vitamin deficiency in animals. Sicknesses that require antibiotics are a common culprit, because the antibiotics kill all germs, bad and good. Because pets are lower to the ground, they are more exposed to cleaning agents we use and various other toxic substances. Cold weather and stress also take a toll on your pets' overall health and well being, and can necessitate additional nutrition to make up for this.
Just as it does in humans, vitamin deficiencies manifest themselves both overtly and internally in pets. Skin and hair coats will lack luster and shine, and the animals will appear fatigued outwardly, but the deficiencies can also lead to more severe conditions internally, such as cancer, and heart and adrenal problems.
Vitamins fall under two groups: water soluble and fat soluble. Water-soluble vitamins flush out of the system, and are often drastically cut down in food because of processing and cooking. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the pets' bodies in cells called lipocytes. The fat-soluble vitamins are easier than that water-soluble ones to overdo, so take extra measure not to feed them more than necessary. However, your pet will need these vitamins daily over a period of months for positive change in their nutrition, so be consistent in the distribution.
