Vitamins are essential nutrients needed in very low concentrations and are crucial for dog's health. They are distinguished by their solubility – fat-soluble vitamins:
A, D, E and K, while the water-soluble vitamins are the B-complex (thiamine,
riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, cobalamin, choline, biotin) and vitamin C. They
enable normal bone growth, repair and function of body cells, blood coagulation,
efficient functioning of the immune and hormonal systems, metabolism of nutrients,
normal reproduction and prevention of various diseases. They are mainly found in
meat, liver, fruit, vegetables, cereals, milk, eggs, fish and vegetable oils, vitamin D
is formed in the skin by UV radiation from sunlight, niacin can be formed from amino
acid tryptophan, choline from serine, vitamin C from glucose and vitamins K, biotin,
riboflavin and folic acid can be formed by bacteria in the colon. Deficiency of a
particular vitamin can lead to various conditions such as anaemia, rickets, black
tongue, scurvy, night blindness and other eye diseases, skin diseases, gastrointestinal
and respiratory diseases, loss of hair, etc. In the case of chronic deficiency, the dog
may even die. Excessive concentrations of vitamins can cause poisoning, anaemia,
calcification of soft tissues, muscular dystrophy, abortion and fetal damage.
Compound feeds contain sufficient concentrations of vitamins to cover daily
requirements, while some vitamins do not need to be added due to bacterial synthesis
in intestine.
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