The Intake of Vitamins Required in a Dog's Daily Diet and Their Importance

I. Vitamin A

(I) Intake Requirements

(II) Important Roles

1. Visual Function
   • Vitamin A plays a key role in a dog's retina and is an essential substance for the synthesis of rhodopsin. Rhodopsin can sense weak light and enable dogs to see clearly in dim environments. A lack of vitamin A can lead to night blindness, and dogs' vision will be significantly reduced in the evening or in dimly lit environments, and their movements will become slow and they are prone to bumping into objects.
2. Skin and Coat Health
   • Vitamin A helps maintain the moisture and normal keratinization of a dog's skin, preventing dry and rough skin. At the same time, it also plays an important role in the growth and luster of the coat. When there is a lack of vitamin A, a dog's skin may have problems such as scales and itching, and the coat will become dry and lustreless, and even hair loss may occur.
3. Immune System Support
   • Vitamin A has a certain regulatory effect on a dog's immune system and can enhance the activity of white blood cells to help the body resist the invasion of foreign pathogens. A lack of vitamin A may cause a decline in a dog's immunity and make it more susceptible to bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections.

II. Vitamin B Complex

(I) Intake of Different Vitamins B

1. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
   • Small dogs need about 0.5 - 1 milligram per day; medium-sized dogs need about 1 - 2 milligrams per day; and large dogs may need 2 - 3 milligrams per day. Vitamin B1 plays a coenzyme role in the carbohydrate metabolism process. A lack of it will lead to digestive system symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, and weight loss in dogs, as well as nervous system disorders such as ataxia and convulsions.
2. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
   • Small dogs need about 0.5 - 1.5 milligrams per day; medium-sized dogs need about 1.5 - 2.5 milligrams per day; and large dogs may need 2.5 - 4 milligrams per day. Vitamin B2 participates in cellular respiration and has an important impact on a dog's eye and skin health. A deficiency will cause oral and eye problems such as oral ulcers, angular stomatitis, and conjunctivitis.
3. Vitamin B6
   • Small dogs need about 0.2 - 0.5 milligram per day; medium-sized dogs need about 0.5 - 1 milligram per day; and large dogs may need 1 - 2 milligrams per day. Vitamin B6 plays a role in a dog's protein metabolism, nervous system function, and immune system. A deficiency will lead to symptoms such as skin inflammation and anemia.
4. Vitamin B12
   • Small dogs need about 5 - 10 micrograms per day; medium-sized dogs need about 10 - 20 micrograms per day; and large dogs may need 20 - 30 micrograms per day. Vitamin B12 is crucial for the production of red blood cells and the normal function of the nervous system. A deficiency will lead to problems such as anemia and abnormal nervous system.

(II) Comprehensive Effect

III. Vitamin C

(I) Intake Range

(II) Importance

1. Collagen Synthesis
   • Vitamin C plays an important role in the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is necessary for maintaining the structure and function of tissues such as a dog's gums and joints. A lack of vitamin C will cause problems such as bleeding and swelling of the gums and pain and swelling of the joints.
2. Enhanced Immunity
   • Vitamin C can enhance a dog's immunity and help the body resist the invasion of foreign pathogens. It can promote the activity of white blood cells and improve the body's antibacterial and antiviral capabilities.
3. Antioxidant Effect
   • As an antioxidant, vitamin C can remove free radicals in the body and reduce the damage of oxidative stress to the body. This helps protect a dog's cells and tissues, delay aging, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

IV. Vitamin D

(I) Intake Standards

(II) Key Roles

1. Regulation of Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism
   • Vitamin D mainly participates in a dog's calcium and phosphorus metabolism and promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by the intestines to maintain the normal growth and development of bones. For puppies, a lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets, with problems such as slow bone growth and deformities. For adult dogs, it may cause osteomalacia, making the bones fragile and prone to fractures.
2. Immune System Regulation
   • Vitamin D also has a certain regulatory effect on a dog's immune system. It can enhance the activity of immune cells, improve the body's resistance, and reduce the risk of infection.

V. Vitamin E

(I) Appropriate Intake

(II) Significance

1. Antioxidant Protection
   • Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can protect a dog's cells from free radical damage. It plays an important role in a dog's reproductive system, muscle system, and skin health. In terms of reproduction, for male dogs, a lack of vitamin E will lead to a decline in sperm quality; for pregnant female dogs, it may affect embryo development and even cause miscarriage, and there may be insufficient milk secretion after giving birth.
2. Maintenance of Muscle Health
   • In terms of muscles, a lack of vitamin E will lead to muscle atrophy, weakness, and pain. Vitamin E helps maintain the normal metabolism and function of muscle cells and protects muscle tissue from oxidative damage.
3. Promotion of Skin Health
   • In terms of skin, vitamin E can protect the skin from free radical attacks and prevent skin inflammation and hair loss. It can promote the regeneration and repair of skin cells and maintain the elasticity and luster of the skin.

VI. Methods to Ensure Dogs' Adequate Intake of Vitamins

(I) Choose High-Quality Dog Food

1. Check the Nutrition Label
   • When purchasing dog food, carefully check the nutrition label to ensure that it contains enough various vitamins. High-quality dog food will go through scientific formulations and can meet a dog's vitamin needs in different life stages and health conditions. For example, puppy food usually contains more vitamins A and D to support the rapid growth and development of puppies. Senior dog food may contain vitamin forms that are easier to absorb to adapt to the decline in physical functions of senior dogs.
2. Consider Dog Food Quality
   • Choose high-quality dog food brands. These brands usually pay more attention to the selection of raw materials and quality control of the production process to ensure the content and stability of vitamins in dog food. At the same time, choose appropriate dog food according to a dog's age, weight, activity level, and health status to ensure that the dog obtains comprehensive and balanced nutrition.

(II) Reasonably Combine Foods

1. Add Foods Rich in Vitamins
   • You can appropriately add some foods rich in vitamins to a dog's diet. For example, feed dogs an appropriate amount of foods rich in vitamin A such as animal livers and egg yolks every week; provide dogs with lean meat, fish and other foods rich in vitamin B complex and vitamin D; add fresh fruits and vegetables such as strawberries and broccoli to supplement vitamin C.
2. Pay Attention to Cooking Methods
   • Pay attention to the cooking methods when cooking food to avoid excessive processing that destroys vitamins in food. For example, vegetables are best fed after being cooked, but do not overcook them; meat can be cooked or steamed, and avoid high-temperature cooking methods such as frying. At the same time, ensure the freshness of food to avoid vitamin loss caused by food spoilage.

(III) Regular Physical Examinations and Consult Veterinarians

1. Importance of Physical Examinations
   • Regularly take dogs to the veterinarian for physical examinations. Veterinarians can check the vitamin levels in a dog's body through methods such as blood tests and detect problems of vitamin deficiency or excess in time. If a dog shows symptoms such as loss of appetite, skin problems, and abnormal bones, it may be a manifestation of vitamin deficiency. Veterinarians can provide corresponding suggestions and treatment plans according to the specific situation.
2. Veterinarian's Advice
   • When supplementing vitamins for dogs, it is best to consult a veterinarian's opinion first. Veterinarians can determine an appropriate vitamin supplementation plan according to the dog's specific situation, such as age, weight, health status, and eating habits. At the same time, veterinarians can also recommend suitable vitamin supplement brands and doses to ensure safe and effective vitamin supplementation.