All of us who share our lives with a dog want them to be as healthy and happy as possible. To achieve this, good nutrition is essential. Our four-legged companions need to incorporate all the essential dog vitamins into 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 growing puppy, if they are an athletic dog and need a little extra to recover after each workout, or if they are a senior and are starting to experience those classic ailments of old age.

 If your furry friend needs it, at Kun-Kay we offer you the best pet supplements on the market. We invite you to discover our entire range! But first, do you know what 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 depending on the specific problem your furry friend has. We also answer questions like when vitamin supplements are necessary, what is the best way to give them, and whether it is advisable to introduce them at home. We also tell you about the most popular food supplements for dogs. We have also prepared a guide on foods that dogs can eat. Keep reading and take note of all the keys!

1. Does my dog ​​need vitamin supplements?

It depends on each case. Most commonly, if your dog has a healthy and balanced diet, they will not need vitamin supplements except in special circumstances. Remember that dog supplements and vitamins are a very useful way to give your pet that extra something they need to lead a long, healthy, and happy life. Here are some situations in which your furry friend MAY need to take vitamin supplements:

1. Dogs that eat a homemade diet instead of kibble: Most kibble is specially formulated and enriched with all the essential vitamins for dogs. However, with a homemade diet, it is very difficult to design a balanced menu that provides everything in the right doses, so it is very common to supplement it with supplements.
2. Sick or Weakened Dogs: Vitamin supplements are a great support for rescued dogs or dogs recovering from anemia or malnutrition due to an illness. They are also essential for strengthening the immune system in pets with leishmaniasis.
3. Grandparents: Senior dogs may begin to experience very specific ailments or conditions and need an extra supply of some vitamin.
4. Dogs with hair loss or very sensitive skin: They may need vitamin E, especially during shedding periods or if they have an outbreak of dermatitis (Dermatitis in dogs).
5. Competition and/or working dogs: They can take extra vitamins to help them recover and be more strong.

Also, at Kun-Kay, we've created this guide on the most common diseases in dogs, to help you understand what these may be.

2. Essential vitamins for your dog: which ones does it need?

Your dog needs a balanced diet and/or supplementation that provides all the vitamins it needs for iron health. Below, we'll tell you what the most important vitamins for dogs are and what each one does.

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 take care of dogs' vision and is involved in the functioning of various organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

 A lack of vitamin A can cause dogs to go blind and suffer from serious illnesses, although an excess can also be very harmful. Therefore, it should be administered with great care.

2. B Vitamins in Dogs

Group B contains eight essential vitamins for your dog's development. They are the following:

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

1. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Intervenes in the transformation of nutrients into energy and promotes the absorption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also plays an important role in embryonic development, puppy growth, and red blood cell production.
2. Vitamin B3 (niacin): Involved in metabolism and DNA repair, as well as in 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 such as dermatitis.
4. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): It is responsible for the generation of glucose and participates in the activity of red blood cells and the nervous system, hormonal regulation, immune response, vitamin B3 synthesis, and gene activation.
5. Vitamin B7 (biotin): Also known as vitamin H, it is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids. Its function is to maintain the health of your dog's skin and coat, aid in proper muscle formation, and promote normal growth. It also ensures good digestion and helps control the thyroid.
6. Vitamin B9 (folic acid): It plays an important role in the metabolism of amino acids and nucleotides, as well as in protein synthesis. Its most important function is to prevent malformations in the nervous system.
7. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): It is essential for its role in the formation of red blood cells. A 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 or stressed; that's why it is very common to include it in supplements.

4. Vitamin D in Dogs

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

5. Vitamin E in Dogs

It is an essential vitamin for dogs because it intervenes in their muscle development and in 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's difficult for your dog to have a vitamin K deficiency, but you have to be very careful because a lack of this vitamin can lead to bleeding and other liver problems.

3. Vitamins or supplements for each problem

Now you know which vitamins for dogs your dog needs to live healthy and strong, but you may be wondering how to identify a deficiency in a specific one to really know which supplement you should give your dog.

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

1. Opening your dog's appetite and improving intestinal health

 There are many reasons why your dog may have lost his appetite, from physical discomfort to a stage where he feels more depressed. There are also different diseases 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 antiinflammatories designed to promote rapid recovery from intestinal conditions in your furry friend.

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

In other cases, your dog's constipation will also be crucial for their appetite. Read our post on Constipation in dogs.

2. For your dog's healthy skin and coat

Your dog's skin and coat are a clear indicator of their health. Most pets that have a dietary deficiency or suffer from an illness tend to have poor, dull fur, which is one of the first warning signs of a possible health problem.

However, there are also some dogs that simply have poorer fur and many others, especially in the case of some breeds such as Bulldogs or Pugs, which tend to have skin problems because their skin is simply very sensitive.

No matter what the cause, Dermakun is the best solution for dogs that experience itching, redness or inflammation of the skin or a dull and poor quality coat. It is also recommended during shedding seasons and is a basic supplement that can be given at any age to prevent the appearance of skin conditions in your dog.

3. To help your dog gain weight

Dog food supplements can also be used as a complement to their diet to help them gain weight.

You can find many options suitable for puppies that have a hard time gaining weight or for dogs that have lost weight after suffering from an illness. It is also common to give these types of supplements to rescued dogs with severe malnutrition.

It is important to keep in mind that these types of supplements should always be complemented with a rich, healthy, and abundant diet. They are not substitutes for your pet's daily rations; they are simply a support that will help them gain the weight they need more quickly.

4. Kidney Failure in Dogs

If your dog has kidney failure or any other problem related to the health of his liver and kidneys, he will likely urinate more frequently. This causes him to eliminate large amounts of water-soluble vitamins, so he will need extra through supplementation.To help him recover, it is also advisable to provide him with large doses of B vitamins and vitamin C through his diet and/or supplements; the main ones involved in the proper functioning of the renal system.

5. Helping Your Puppy Grow

Puppies may need an extra supply of vitamins to help them grow healthy and strong. Therefore, it is common to use supplementation during the early stages of their lives as a complement to a healthy and balanced diet.

The best option is to have vitamin complexes rich in all the essential vitamins for dogs complemented with food 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 your dog grows older, he or she will need extra care to address the new needs that will arise over the years.

The or we present Elderkun, our natural supplement specially designed for dogs from 5 or 7 years of age. It has a formulation designed to help you maintain the neuronal health of your furry companion and prevent brain degeneration.

Elderkun can be used both in dogs that have begun to show some changes in their behavior or activity over time and in those that have not yet begun to have ailments as a preventative measure. It is the ideal supplement to take care of their health and neuronal function and help them be the same as always no matter how old they are.

7. Improve dental health

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

Good teeth are essential for your dog to enjoy his favorite food, those treats he loves, or those tug-of-war games he has so much fun playing. Oral care supplements like Dentalkun help maintain healthy teeth and gums and also make his breath smell like refreshing mint, goodbye halitosis!

8. Joints

Older dogs, those who are a few pounds overweight, or those who are very active may end up suffering from joint pain. This is also very common in large dog breeds with very rapid growth such as German Shepherds or Golden Retrievers.

Joint problems are very painful for dogs and can also affect their ability to run and jump, and in advanced cases, even walk; something that ends up causing them a lot of discomfort. Therefore, in these cases, it is essential to have good prevention.

 We recommend opting for Arthrokun, a natural supplement that can be given at any age and is especially recommended for reducing joint discomfort in your dog and preventing its appearance.

9. Stress, anxiety, and mental health

Stress and anxiety can have a huge impact on your dog's health, both mentally and physically. Periods such as moving, socializing with new family members, or the loss of a companion can take their toll on your furry friend's well-being.

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

To increase the defenses of your furry companion we propose Immunokun, a recommended supplement For puppies or senior animals, obese dogs, or those going through a stressful period. This supplement is the support they need to take care of their immune system while their mental health recovers with your care and support.

If your pet is unlucky enough to have epileptic seizures, Immunokun can also help. Check out this post on epileptic seizures in dogs and how to treat them.

10. Recovery in sporting dogs

 Working and sporting dogs do intense physical exercise and sometimes need an extra supply of vitamins to recover and enjoy iron health.

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

This solution has active ingredients of natural origin that will help the optimal muscle recovery of your dog, in addition to helping him counteract the metabolic alterations caused by intense exercise.

4. Food supplements for dogs

In addition to supplements and vitamins for dogs, you can also include food supplements with compounds that are beneficial for his health in your dog's diet. The most common are chondroprotectors and omega 3, 6, and 9 oils. We'll tell you what they're for!

1. Chondroprotectors

Chondroprotectors are natural substances that protect your dog's joints. They come in different formulations, but the most common are those containing ingredients such as chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid.

They are usually sold in capsule form and are used to prevent various joint ailments and slow their progression. In this post, we discuss in more detail 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 a dog's coat and skin, but they can also be found for sale in capsules.

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

The best way to give your dog vitamins or supplements is to introduce them naturally into their daily diet. Our pets usually hate taking pills, and they don't usually like drops either because of their unpleasant taste. Therefore, it's important to explore other alternatives.

 At Kun-Kay we make it easy for you! Unlike other brands, our formulations are drug-free and use only natural substances to provide your dog with exactly what they need at all times. What's more, Kun-Kay dog ​​supplements aren't pills or droppers that make both you and your furry friend have a hard time with every feeding; they're supplements that can be added to their bowl and are also delicious. They make them clean their bowl!

6. Is it advisable to introduce them at home?

A diet rich in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals is just 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 and honey in vitamins B and C, etc. However, it is very difficult to design a homemade diet that really provides your dog with everything it needs in the right doses. That's why we have prepared the perfect complement to enrich your dog's homemade food: Homemadekun. This nutritional supplement is ideal for all dogs on a BARF diet, as well as for nursing females or convalescing animals. Take a look and find out!