You care for your dog's health. You go out of your way to go to the best groomers, make sure they are up-to-date on all their shots, and buy the best rated high-quality dog food. Unfortunately, no matter how caring you are for your dog, they're still not getting optimum nutrition from their commercial dog food, not the way that they would if they were hunting in the wild.
We've already discussed the importance of fatty acids in a doggy diet. This time we're looking at another necessary, required, absolutely vital nutrient that many pups unfortunately don't get enough of.
Vitamin E
Have noticed your dog itching and scratching lately? Have you found hot spots developing on their skin? If so, this is a good sign that they are missing Vitamin E, a crucial, fat-soluble vitamin that appears naturally in a wild, raw canine diet. Vitamin E is actually a bit difficult to add into manycommercial dog foods during processing (though it does make a fantastic natural preservative!), and that's why many dogs don't get adequate amounts in their diets.
No one likes an itchy dog though! So how can pet owners address a Vitamin E deficiency? Well, you've got two options.
First is the natural way. This involves adding natural sources of Vvitamin E to your dog's diet, and that means fatty foods! Some good options are:
- Halibut
- Liver
- Raw eggs
The second option is to give your itchy pup a Vitamin E supplement. Many natural supplements allow you to rub Vitamin E-rich liquid right into your dog's skin. These supplements may also come with other soothing vitamins and minerals to help the itching while their vitamin levels stabilize.
It is worth noting, however, that even if your dog has healthy skin, they are likely still not getting very much Vitamin E in their diet. Topical lotions are also only a temporary solution for the symptoms of an underlying dietary problem, so that's why it's important to shore up the stuff in your little guy's doggy bowl.
Vitamin E is crucial for more than just healthy skin, too! In dogs, optimized Vitamin E levels have been linked to:
- Fertility
- Decreased cancer risk
- Slower aging
- Reduced heart disease
- Reduced blood pressure
- Immune system function
- Prevention of cataracts
Whether your pup is showing symptoms of a deficiency or not, the need to balance dietary Vitamin E is a no-brainer. Obviously we think Canine Boost is a great, delicious way to make sure that your pet is getting the amount they need, but whatever method you choose to keep your pup happy and itch-free, you'll get a thumbs up from us, and a furry paw high-five from your dog.