Dog Food Ingredients: Vitamins
Vitamins are necessary for literally tens of thousands of different chemical reactions in the body. They often work in conjunction with minerals and enzymes to assure normal digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth and function, healthy skin and hair, clotting of blood, and the use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates by the body.
Vitamins are generally classified into two groups based on how or if they are stored in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are stored in the liver and fatty tissue. Water-soluble vitamins (B’s and C), on the other hand, are stored in only very small amounts by the body. They need to be taken daily, as any excesses are excreted each day.
Many people believe they need to supplement vitamins, even on a very premium dog food, because they think the vitamins get destroyed in the cooking process. A reputable manufacturer adds larger than required amounts of vitamins to account for what will be destroyed during cooking. Unnecessary supplementation can lead to toxic levels of the fat-soluble vitamins or an imbalance that can lead to health problems. If your dog is on a fresh-meat, home made diet or has a specific need then supplementation is necessary. If this is the case, buy a reputable, scientifically balanced vitamin and mineral supplement. Do NOT try to mix your own. The results could make your dog very sick or even be fatal.
Ascorbic Acid: Vitamin C – Acts as an antioxidant in the feed (preserves shelf life, prevents rancidity). Non-essential vitamin for dogs and cats (they can produce adequate amounts on their own).
Beta Carotene: An inactive form of Vitamin A. Dogs can convert this to an active form that they can utilize. Necessary for reproduction, vision, normal skeletal and tooth development, immunity, and tissue integrity.
Biotin: Vitamin B7 Complex – B vitamin required for metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, and non-essential amino acids. Water soluble vitamin. Required for normal skin and haircoat. Helps with paw pad and nail quality.
Calcium Pantothenate: Vitamin B5 – Source of pantothenic acid, a B vitamin. This vitamin is necessary for normal intestinal function, growth, and haircoat color.
Choline Chloride: B Complex Vitamin – Required for normal nervous system function, normal growth in young animals, and protection of the kidneys. It can be synthesized in the liver, but is a dietary requirement.
Cobalamin: Vitamin B12 – The only B vitamin that can be stored by the body. Necessary for formation of red blood cells and normal nervous system function.
D-Activated Animal Sterol: Source of Vitamin D – Regulates calcium and phosphorus balance and bone calcification.
Folic Acid: Vitamin B9 – necessary for formation of red blood cells and for normal function of the nervous system and reproduction (fetal development).
L-Ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate: Source of Vitamin C – Non-essential vitamin for dogs and cats (they can produce adequate amounts on their own). Mostly used as a preservative for shelf life.
Mixed Tocopherols: A natural preservative that is a source of natural Vitamin E, which helps protect cell membranes, regulates intracellular respiration, and immune function.
Niacin: Vitamin B3 – Important for maintenance of hair, skin, nervous system, and energy metabolism. Dogs synthesize niacin from tryptophan (an amino acid) but cats must have it provided in their diet.
Pantothenic Acid: Vitamin B5 – A component of Coenzyme A that is involved in nearly every metabolic activity that produces energy for the body’s cells.
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride: Vitamin B6 – Necessary for blood cell formation and nervous system function. Acts as a coenzyme in many metabolic activities.
Riboflavin: Vitamin B2 – Water soluble. Antioxidant necessary for nervous system function, utilization of energy, healthy skin and coat, and tissue repair.
Thiamine Hydrochloride: Vitamin B1 – Required for protein and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as to maintain normal nervous system function.
Thiamin Mononitrate: Vitamin B1 – Required for protein and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as to maintain normal nervous system function.
Vitamin A Supplement: Active source of vitamin A. Dogs can convert inactive vitamin A (beta-carotene) to active vitamin A. Necessary for reproduction, vision, normal skeletal and tooth development, immunity, and tissue integrity.
Vitamin A Acetate: Another form name for Vitamin A.
Vitamin B12 Supplement: The only B vitamin that can be stored by the body. Necessary for formation of red blood cells and normal nervous system function.
Vitamin D Supplement: Regulates calcium and phosphorus balance and bone calcification.
Vitamin E Supplement: Helps protect cell membranes, regulates intracellular respiration, and immune function.
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