Vitamins & Minerals for Dogs
The micronutrients that quietly run almost every system in your dog's body.
Dogs need 13 vitamins and around 12 essential minerals to function. They are required in tiny amounts compared with the macronutrients, but a long-term deficiency — or excess — can trigger problems that look nothing like a "nutrition" issue: lethargy, skin disease, poor wound healing, seizures, skeletal abnormalities.
Essential vitamins
- Fat-soluble (A, D, E, K): stored in body tissues — easy to over-supplement.
- B-complex: energy metabolism, nerve function. Water-soluble, daily intake.
- Vitamin C: dogs synthesise their own; supplementation usually unnecessary.
Essential minerals
- Calcium & phosphorus — bone, teeth, nerve signalling. Ratio matters.
- Zinc — skin, coat, immune function.
- Iron & copper — oxygen transport, enzyme systems.
- Selenium & iodine — antioxidant and thyroid support.
Common deficiency signs
Dull coat, flaky skin, low energy, slow healing, brittle nails, or recurrent infections all warrant a vet conversation before reaching for a supplement.