| Whether or not pets need vitamins just as much | | | | to your pets at home that they get from other |
| as you do, and whether or not vitamins for pets | | | | animals in nature, then they will be much happier |
| are as important to them as they are to you, | | | | and healthy animals. |
| depends very much on the type of pet to which | | | | Regular veterinary care is part of that, as is |
| are referring. Obviously, a stick insect has | | | | proper preparation for travel; travel that is |
| different needs to a snake, which has different | | | | unnatural to them. Supplements are available from |
| needs to a pet monkey. A pet rock, popular in | | | | your vet to prepare them for long journeys in a |
| the 1980s, has few needs. | | | | car or boat. Vitamin supplements are also available |
| Lets assume we are discussing mammals, and | | | | to make up for any dietary deficiencies. A |
| specifically cats and dogs. What are their dietary | | | | working dog, a dog recovering from illness or |
| and vitamin needs? They need vitamins as we do, | | | | surgery, and a pregnant cat or new mother, all |
| and also carbohydrates, protein and fats (animal | | | | have different nutritional requirements, and a good |
| or vegetable) as the basic chemicals for their | | | | owner with an interest in their animal will find out |
| development. If they have a deficiency in any of | | | | what these are. |
| these, particularly of vitamins, then they will need | | | | The important supplements for pets are the |
| a supplement in the same way that we would | | | | water soluble vitamins that have to be replaced |
| were we deficient in any vitamin nutrient essential | | | | every day since they can be washed away in |
| to normal life. | | | | urine. What is true for humans is also true of |
| That could be the end of this article, but there is | | | | animals in this respect. These vitamins are vitamin |
| more to it than just that. How do pets get these | | | | C and the B complex vitamins. Vitamins A, D, E |
| essential nutrients, and how do you assess what | | | | and K are fat soluble, and are stored in the body |
| supplements are essential for your particular | | | | fats until needed. These vitamins can also be |
| animal? Consider the variety of breeds for | | | | stored in the liver, and need less supplementation |
| example. Were dogs human the difference in | | | | than the C and B vitamins. |
| weight between the adult weights of a St. | | | | Pets require a good supply of minerals, as do |
| Bernard and a Chihuahua of 80 lb and 4 lb would | | | | humans. These should be taken as a balanced |
| relate to human weights of between, say, 8 | | | | supplement since an imbalance can cause |
| stones and 160 stones. That is about 50 Kg and | | | | problems in pets. Zinc, for example, can deplete |
| 1000 Kg. | | | | the body of copper if taken in excess. Many pet |
| How can you possibly discuss these in the same | | | | owners believe zinc to be essential to the |
| way with respect to dietary requirements? Cats | | | | reproductive system, as it is in humans, and |
| are much closer in size and weight, but these too | | | | overdose their pets if they are intended to breed. |
| have different dietary needs than dogs. The term | | | | However, excess zinc depletes the copper |
| pets, then, is meaningless in relation to diet. What | | | | content of the pets body and copper is essential |
| is meaningful is the diet required by mammals of | | | | for the proper function of the immune system |
| different species and different sizes. So what is | | | | and for the proper formation and maintenance of |
| that diet and how do you know when a vitamin | | | | bones, blood vessels and the development of the |
| supplement is needed. | | | | nervous system. |
| Good quality food should be sufficient to provide | | | | Multivitamin and mineral supplements are available |
| the average animal with a good balanced diet. | | | | in forms and flavors that suit both dogs and cats, |
| Commercial pet foods can sometime do this, but | | | | and are balanced for the particular needs of the |
| not always, in the same way that canned foods | | | | animal involved and its current state of health. |
| cannot always meet all human nutritional needs. | | | | Your vet is the best person to advise on what is |
| Modern pet food producers are getting closer to | | | | needed, and the worst thing you could do for |
| providing what is needed by different animals at | | | | your pet, even if done with the best of intentions, |
| various stages in their life, but unless purchased | | | | is to give them human vitamin and mineral |
| from specialist outlets, not for specific breeds. | | | | supplements in their food. No matter how much |
| One would assume that a bulldog and a small | | | | you would like them to be, pets are not human |
| Mexican hairless would have different needs. | | | | and have different needs. |
| Many owners feed their pets what they eat | | | | Would you eat mice by choice? If a moth |
| themselves, or purchase fresh food specifically | | | | fluttered into your home would you stuff it into |
| for them rather than use proprietary pet foods. | | | | your mouth? Of course not. Would you eat |
| When doing this they should be sure that the | | | | unmentionable things off a walkway as your dog |
| foods they give are suitable for their pets. For | | | | does? Of course not. Do not, therefore, apply |
| example, cats and dogs need meat, particularly | | | | your dietary requirements to your cat or dog. |
| cats that can become seriously ill if fed only a | | | | They are similar to a certain extent, in that most |
| vegetarian diet. Another little known fact is that | | | | mammals bodies share a similar chemistry, but |
| not all mammals can eat onions, and if cats or | | | | your digestive systems are different. |
| dogs are fed onions or onion extract in their | | | | Give your pets vitamins for pets, not vitamins for |
| meals it could kill them. Never feed cats or dogs | | | | humans. If you care for your pets lovingly, |
| onions: it can be fatal. | | | | prepare them for stressful times such as travel |
| Your pets diet is part of a general loving care | | | | they are not familiar with, keep them warm and |
| regime, and you should try to find what your cat | | | | safe at home and provide them with the |
| or dog needs for a happy and healthy life. | | | | nutritional supplements that your vet deems right |
| Included in that is lots of love and attention and | | | | for them, then you will be doing your best to give |
| proper grooming. Animals like grooming rituals, as | | | | them a happy life and will be caring for them as |
| is evident when you watch their habits in the wild. | | | | you should. Pets need vitamins just as you do. |
| If you make the effort to provide the attention | | | | |