All of us who share our lives with a dog want them to be as healthy and happy as possible. To achieve this, a good diet is fundamental. Our four-legged companions need to incorporate all the essential vitamins for dogs in their diet to enjoy a healthy, long, and happy life.

 But, sometimes, the best diet is not enough. Sometimes we need to resort to supplements and vitamins for dogs to give our dog that extra boost they need. For example, if they are a puppy in full growth, if they are a sporty dog and need extra to recover after each training, or if they are an old dog starting to have those classic age ailments.

 If your furry friend needs it, at Kun-Kay we offer the best pet supplements on the market. We invite you to discover our entire range! But first, do you know which vitamins your dog needs to grow healthy and strong?

 In this guide, we tell you which vitamins for dogs cannot be missing in their diet and what is necessary to provide according to the specific problem your furry friend has. We also answer doubts about when vitamin supplements are necessary, what is the best way to give them, and whether it is advisable to introduce them homemade. Additionally, we tell you which dietary supplements for dogs are most popular. On the other hand, we have prepared a guide about foods dogs can eat. Keep reading and take note of all the key points!

1. Does my dog need vitamin supplements?

It depends on each case. Usually, if your dog has a healthy and balanced diet, they do not need vitamin supplements except in special circumstances. Remember that supplements and vitamins for dogs are a very useful way to give your pet that extra they need to lead a long, healthy, and happy life

 We tell you some cases in which your furry friend MAY need to take vitamin supplements:

1. Dogs that eat a homemade diet instead of kibble: Most kibbles are specially formulated and enriched with all essential vitamins for dogs. However, with a homemade diet, it is very complicated to design a balanced menu that provides everything in the right doses, so it is very common to complement it with supplementation.
2. Sick or weakened dogs: Vitamin supplements are great support for rescued dogs or those recovering from anemia or malnutrition due to illness. They are also fundamental to strengthen the immune system in pets with leishmaniasis.
3. Old dogs: Senior dogs may start having very specific ailments or aches and need an extra intake of some vitamin.
4. Dogs with hair loss or very sensitive skin: They may need vitamin E, especially during molting periods or if they have a dermatitis outbreak (Dermatitis in dogs).
5. Competition and/or working dogs: They may take extra vitamins to help them recover and be stronger.

Also, at Kun-Kay, we have created this guide about the most common diseases in dogs, to help you and let you know what they might be.

2. Essential vitamins for your dog, which ones do they need?

Your dog needs a balanced diet and/or supplementation that provides all the vitamins they need to have ironclad health. Next, we tell you which are the most important vitamins for dogs and what function each has.

1. Vitamin A in Dogs

Vitamin A is responsible for fetal growth and development and also plays an important role in the immune system and cellular function. Its job is to care for dogs' vision and involves the functioning of various organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

 Lack of vitamin A can cause dogs to go blind and suffer serious diseases, although excess can also be very harmful. Therefore, it must be administered very carefully.

2. B vitamins in Dogs

The B group contains eight essential vitamins for your dog's development. They are as follows:

 Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Helps regulate metabolism, participates in the functioning of the nervous system, heart, and muscles.

1. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Involved in transforming nutrients into energy and promotes the absorption of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It also plays an important role in embryo development, puppy growth, and red blood cell production.
2. Vitamin B3 (niacin): Involved in metabolism functioning and DNA repair, as well as the digestive and nervous systems.
3. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): Involved in the synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Its deficiency is associated with skin diseases like dermatitis.
4. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Responsible for glucose generation and participates in red blood cell activity, nervous system, hormonal regulation, immune response, vitamin B3 synthesis, and gene activation.
5. Vitamin B7 (biotin): Also known as vitamin H, involved in carbohydrate, fat, and amino acid metabolism. Its function is to maintain your dog's skin and coat health, help proper muscle formation, and normal growth. It also ensures good digestion and helps control the thyroid.
6. Vitamin B9 (folic acid): Plays an important role in amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, as well as protein synthesis. Its most important function is to prevent malformations in the nervous system.
7. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): Essential for red blood cell formation. Its deficiency can cause anemia, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, and other serious problems.

3. Vitamin C in Dogs

Vitamin C has an antioxidant function and also serves to prevent inflammation and cognitive aging. Normally, dogs can synthesize it unless they are sick and stressed; that is why it is very common to include it in supplements.

4. Vitamin D in Dogs

Known as the sunshine vitamin, its function is to allow your dog's body to absorb minerals essential for bone growth such as phosphorus and calcium.

5. Vitamin E in Dogs

It is an essential vitamin for dogs because it is involved in their muscle development and the proper functioning of their circulatory and immune systems. It also has an antioxidant function and participates in fat metabolism.

5. Vitamin K in Dogs

This vitamin is involved in blood clotting. It is rare for your dog to have a vitamin K deficiency, but you must be very careful because a lack of this vitamin can lead to hemorrhages and other liver problems.

3. Vitamins or supplements for each problem

Now you know which vitamins your furry friend needs to live healthy and strong, but you may wonder how to identify the deficiency of a specific one to really know which supplement you have to give your furry friend.

 To make it easier for you, let's see the main needs your four-legged companion may have and what we recommend in each case. Keep reading!

1. Open appetite and improve intestinal health in your Dog

 There are many reasons why your dog may have lost their appetite, from physical discomfort to a stage when they feel more depressed. There are also different illnesses and/or nutritional deficiencies that can affect your dog's intestinal health.

To help you in these cases, we have designed Enterokun, a nutritional supplement rich in probiotics, prebiotics, and anti-inflammatories designed to promote the rapid recovery of your furry friend's intestinal ailments.

 It can also be used for dogs with mild recurrent or chronic diarrhea, flatulence, or when you are planning a change in their diet. Additionally, it is perfect to stimulate their appetite, they will feel better and lick the plate clean! Want to know more about gastroenteritis in dogs?

In other cases, your dog's constipation will be crucial for their appetite; read our post about Constipation in dogs.

2. For healthy skin and coat of your dog

Your dog's skin and coat are a clear indicator of their health status. Most animals with some nutritional deficiency or illness usually have poor and dull hair, being one of the first warning signs of a possible health problem.

However, there are also some dogs that simply have poorer coats and many others, especially some breeds like Bulldogs or Pugs, that tend to have skin problems because their skin is very sensitive.

No matter the cause, Dermakun is the best solution for dogs experiencing itching, redness, or skin inflammation or a dull and poor-quality coat. It is also recommended during molting periods and is a go-to supplement that can be administered at any age to prevent skin conditions in your dog.

3. For your dog to gain weight

Dietary supplements for dogs can also be used as a complement in their diet to help them gain weight. 

You can find many options indicated for puppies who have trouble starting to gain weight or for dogs that have lost weight after an illness. It is also common to administer this type of supplement to rescued dogs with severe malnutrition. 

It is important to note that these supplements must always be complemented with a rich, healthy, and abundant diet. They are not substitutes for your pet's daily portions; they are just support to help them gain the weight they need faster.

4. Renal insufficiency in Dogs

If your dog has renal insufficiency or any other problem related to the health of their liver and kidneys, they are likely to urinate more frequently. This causes them to eliminate large amounts of water-soluble vitamins, so they will need extra intake through supplementation.To help in their recovery, it is also advisable to provide through diet and/or supplements large doses of B vitamins and vitamin C; the main ones involved in proper kidney function.

5. Help your puppy's growth

Puppies may need an extra intake of vitamins to help them grow healthy and strong. That is why supplementation is usually used during the early stages of their life as a complement to a healthy and balanced diet.

The best option is to have vitamin complexes rich in all essential vitamins for dogs complemented with kibble specifically formulated for puppies or a homemade menu designed by a specialist.

6. Adult dogs

Taking care of our pets' health is a lifelong task. As they get older, your dog will need extra care focused on the new needs that will appear over time.

We present Elderkun, our natural supplement specially designed for dogs from 5 or 7 years old. It has a formulation designed to help you maintain your furry companion's neural health and prevent brain degeneration.

Elderkun can be used both in dogs that have started to show some behavioral or activity changes over time and in those that have not yet started to have aches as prevention. It is the ideal complement to care for their health and neural function and help them be themselves no matter how old they are.

7. Improve dental health

Does your dog have bad breath or any oral problem? Dentalkun is the best solution.

Good teeth are essential for your dog to enjoy their favorite food, those treats they love, or those tug games they have so much fun with. Oral care supplements like Dentalkun serve to maintain good health in your dog's teeth and gums and also make their breath smell like refreshing mint, goodbye halitosis!

8. Joints

Older dogs, those who weigh a few extra pounds, or those who are very active may end up suffering joint ailments. This is also very common in large dog breeds with very rapid growth like German Shepherds or Golden Retrievers.

Joint problems are very painful for dogs and affect their ability to run and jump and, in advanced cases, even to walk; something that causes them great discomfort. Therefore, in these cases, good prevention is essential.

 We recommend opting for Arthrokun, a natural supplement that can be administered at any age especially recommended to reduce your dog's joint discomfort and prevent its appearance.

9. Stress, anxiety, and mental health

Stress and anxiety can have a great impact on your dog's health both mentally and physically. Periods like moving, socializing with new family members, or losing a companion can affect your furry friend's well-being.

Poor mental health in dogs can affect their physical state, causing loss of appetite or even lowering their defenses; leaving them vulnerable to possible diseases.

To boost your furry friend's defenses, we propose Immunokun, a supplement recommended for puppies or senior animals, obese dogs, or those going through a stressful stage. This supplement is the support they need to care for their immune system while their mental health recovers with your care and support. 

If your pet unfortunately has epileptic seizures, Immunokun can also help you. Check this post about epileptic seizures in dogs and how to treat them.

10. Recovery in sporty dogs

 Working and sporty dogs do intense physical exercise and sometimes need an extra intake of vitamins to recover and enjoy ironclad health.

At Kun-Kay, we have thought of them and created Sportkun Finish, a natural supplement designed for dogs practicing intermediate or endurance exercise such as canicross, bikejoring, agility, or mushing, as well as working dogs.

This solution contains natural active ingredients that will help your dog’s optimal muscle recovery, as well as help counteract the metabolic alterations caused by intense exercise.

4. Dietary supplements for dogs

Besides supplements and vitamins for dogs, you can also include in your furry friend's diet dietary supplements with compounds beneficial for their health. The most common are chondroprotectors and omega 3, 6, and 9 oils; we tell you what they are for!

1. Chondroprotectors

Chondroprotectors are natural substances that serve to protect your dog's joints. They come in different formulations, but the most common contain ingredients like chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid.

They are usually sold in capsule form and are used to prevent different joint ailments and slow their progression. In this post, we talk in more detail about what a Chondroprotector is and its uses in dogs.

2. Omega 3, 6, and 9 oils

Omega 3, 6, and 9 oils are mainly used to care for dogs' coats. They also help promote good digestion.

 These essential oils are usually found in the diet or in supplements specially designed to care for dogs' coats and skin but can also be found for sale in capsules.

5. How do I give vitamins or supplements to my dog?

The best way to give vitamins or supplements to your dog is to introduce them naturally into their daily diet. Our pets usually hate taking pills, and drops are also not very liked due to their unpleasant taste. Therefore, it is important to explore other alternatives.

 At Kun-Kay, we make it easy for you! Unlike other brands, our formulations are free of drugs and use only natural substances to provide your dog exactly what they need at each moment. Also, Kun-Kay dog supplements are not pills or droppers that make both you and your furry friend have a bad time at each dose; they are supplements that can be added to their bowl and that, moreover, are delicious. They make them clean the plate!

6. Is it advisable to introduce them homemade?

A diet rich in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals is exactly what your furry friend needs to grow healthy and strong. All the vitamins your dog needs can be found in natural foods: sardines are rich in vitamin B, eggs in A, D, and B12, cheese in vitamin A, or honey in vitamins B and C, etc.

 However, it is very complicated to design a homemade diet that really provides your dog with everything they need in the right doses. That is why we have prepared the perfect supplement to enrich your dog's homemade food: Homemadekun. This nutritional supplement is ideal for all those dogs on a BARF diet and also for lactating females or convalescent animals. Take a look and discover it!