There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Vitamins B and C  are water-soluble. For this reason, they have to be present in each meal. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble are stored in the fatty tissues of the body and in the liver. Your dog needs both types. Any excess is filtered through the kidneys and urinated out four to eight hours after ingestion.

Vitamin C is needed for healthy teeth and gums. In the old days, sailors often suffered from vitamin C deficiency due to the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables while at sea. Vit C deficiency manifests itself in weakness, anemia, spongy and inflamed gums, and dirty teeth. The same thing happens to the vitamin C deficient dog.

Vitamins are not only lost in the manufacturing process of dog food, but begin to deteriorate as soon you open up the dog food bag and expose the food to light and air. Particularly sensitive are vitamins B and C.

While it is true that they produce their own, it is not enough to maintain good health, especially in our polluted environment.

Your dog needs sufficient vitamin C to break down the animal protein in his diet, strengthen his immune system, speed wound healing, help the function of his musculoskeletal system, and whether he gets wormed, is given drugs of any kind or put under any kind of stress.

A lack of vitamin C in the diet commonly result in urinary track infections, cystitis and limping in the front or rear legs.  A common misconception is that dogs don’t need extra vitamin C because they produce their own.

Since not enough of either vitamin B complex or C is contained in any processed dog food to meet our criteria for raising a puppy, you have to add both of these to his diet.

The same hold true with vitamin B complex. A fragile, water-soluble vitamin, B is needed for energy, breaking down protein and promoting biochemical reactions in the body which work with enzymes to change the carbohydrates into glucose.

MINERALS
Although a dog can manufacture some vitamins on his own, he is not able to make minerals. Minerals make up less than 2% of any formulated diet, and yet are the most critical of nutrients. They are needed for:
* Proper formation of blood and bones
* Promotion of healthy nervous system
* Co- enzyme function together with vitamins

We recommend you add extra minerals to your dog’s food since 50% to 80% of minerals are lost in the manufacturing process.

Look for a food that has both animal fat and vegetable oils in it, percentage of fat in the food.  Better foods do list them individually. Fat makes the food palatable, like potato chips and French fries. Be aware that in the manufacturing process of most dog foods, fat is sprayed on as the ingredient.