Is Your Dog Missing These 5 Essential Nutrients?

It is easy to think that we know what’s best for dogs based on what is best for people. And while our dogs are close family members, their bodies work in a completely different way.

Let’s start with Vitamin B12. Without this, dogs can’t absorb Iron, and without Iron, your dog can’t make blood. Then there’s collagen which is far more than a beauty product for dogs. It is actually an essential protein for dogs to maintain healthy joints and skin.

Just imagine what health issues we could be causing to our dogs by simply not knowing what they need.

Here we look at 5 essential nutrients for a healthy and balanced dog’s diet. Some of these you might be quite familiar with, while others you may never have thought about.

Towards the end will also give a simple suggestion of where to find all of these in a completely natural way!

Omega-3

Super Source of Omega-3: Whole Sardines / Green Lipped Mussels

You probably know that Omega-3 Is good for hoomans, but how is this an essential nutrient for dogs?

Omega-3 falls in the group of “essential fatty acids.” Dogs can produce a limited amount from metabolizing other nutrients, however, it is generally recommended to top up the Omega-3 in your dog’s diet through the food they eat.

Omega-3 has such a broad range of benefits for dogs from young to old that it can really be considered a nutrient with superfood abilities. Some key benefits of Omega-3 are:

• Supports brain development in puppies and younger dogs
• Helps to reduce inflammation from arthritis in older dogs
• Strengthens your dog’s immune system helping them to fight off cancer and other diseases
• Boosts the health of your dog’s heart and kidneys
• Improves the condition of your dog’s skin and coat and can help reduce itching

Iron

Super Source of Iron: Kangaroo Jerky

Iron is an essential mineral in your dog’s diet which supports a number of natural processes. Some of the most important ones are the production of blood, and turning food into energy and other useful nutrients.

Iron is used in making three important parts of blood including red blood cells, hemoglobin, and myoglobin. These bits of blood are responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients around your dog’s body to keep the whole thing running.

Iron also works in a number of enzymes. Enzymes are essential for your dog’s body to be able to turn food into energy and other useful nutrients. Iron lets enzymes work, and enzymes keep your dog active, energized, and healthy.

Vitamin B12

Super Source of Iron: Kangaroo Jerky

Vitamin B12, also called Cobalamin, is an important nutrient for your dog’s health in so many ways. Firstly, it is essential for keeping a healthy nervous system and brain function. Secondly, like Iron, it is also important for producing blood cells.

Vitamin B12 is essential for allowing your dog’s body to absorb Iron. Iron is another essential nutrient which we have detailed further below. Because of this, dogs with a lack of Vitamin B12 may develop anemia which causes a general lack of energy, weakness, and loss of appetite among other problems.

Some important benefits of Vitamin B12 are:

• Supports your dog’s brain and spinal cord to work properly
• Helps to increase red blood cells which is required for maintaining energy levels
• Helps to keep your dog’s appetite, which means they can still get all their other essential nutrients through their food. A dog that doesn’t eat won’t be healthy.

Zinc

Super Source of Iron: Kangaroo Jerky

Zinc is the second most used mineral in a dog’s body after Iron. A deficiency in zinc can lead to a whole range of health issues such as digestive problems, dermatitis, an underperforming or overreacting immune system, kidney failure, liver failure, or heart failure, and seizures. In the worst case, a long-term zinc deficiency can result in death.

Zinc deficiency is most common in Huskies and Malamutes, but also commonly effects other large breeds too like German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermans.

That said, all dogs require regular zinc in their diet as they actually have no way of storing it in their body for later use. However, all things are good in moderation, as an oversupply of zinc can cause it’s own problems too.

Diets that are high in corn, wheat, and soy as commonly found in heavily processed foods can actually prevent your dog’s body from absorbing zinc. This is just a function of how a dog’s body works. The best sources of zinc for dogs is in whole and raw meats and fish.

Collagen

Super Source of Collagen: Chicken Feet / Kangaroo Tendons

Collagen isn’t just found in beauty and skin care products for hoomans. It is also an essential protein for dogs too. Collagen is the main protein found in your dog’s skin, joints, and ligaments.

Did you know that up to 30% of the protein in your dog’s body is collagen? As dog’s get older, they tend to produce less and less collagen. This is one of the reasons that older dogs are more likely to get injuries and have painful bones, joints, or skin issues.

While the slowing down of collagen production is quite natural, it can easily be replaced through supplements in your dog’s diet. Here are a few key benefits of collagen in your dog’s diet:

• Supports joints and helps to prevent injuries, especially in older dogs
• Assists with digestion. Collagen helps form a healthy lining in your dog’s intestines with it’s healing amino acids like Glycine. Good intestinal health has all sorts of health benefits of it’s own.
• Provides a soft shiny coat, super strong nails, and moisturized skin. New we’ve getting into the beauty side of things!

Where can my dog get these essential nutrients?

Generally, a well-balanced diet with raw or whole meats will work best. Fish is also a fantastic source for many of these nutrients. It is best to avoid highly processed foods and look for grain-free options where possible.

One of our favourite sources for these nutrients is kangaroo meat. Kangaroo is high in Vitamin B12, Iron, Zinc, Collagen, and Omega-3. It can really be considered a doggo superfood.

Even better, when turned into crunchy Roo Jerky or chewy Roo Tendons, it makes a darn tasty treat that dogs can’t resist.

Oh My Paws natural dog treats are made with a unique slow drying process that keeps in more essential nutrients while making a healthier, tastier, wholesome treat for your dog.

All of our dog treats are entirely natural. There are no preservatives, no additives, and importantly, no salt added. Did we mention that we’re 100% Aussie Made, Sourced, and Owned?

Check out our range of Kangaroo dog treats today including Crunchy Roo Jerky, Longer Chewing Roo Tendons, and various Roo Tail treats for dogs of all sizes.

You can get a special 10% Off Welcome Code by joining our doggo news Pawsletter below. It is free to join and will give you exclusive updates on new product releases, and flash sales. We also offer free AusPost shipping Australia-wide on orders over $39.95. Oh My Paws that’s good!

Note: This article is for general information only and should not be used to self-diagnose health issues or dietary deficiencies your dog may have. If your dog is experiencing health issues please consult a vet for further advice as they can conduct required tests and provide specific advice.