Vitamins and minerals in dogs and cats:
the building blocks of daily health
Why are specific vitamin and mineral forms relevant in dogs and cats, what does an organic extract base do, and when does supplementation make sense?
By Stefan Veenstra DVM
Micronutrients: more than a safety net
Vitamins and minerals are often seen in conventional nutrition as a basic safety net, something that is already sufficiently covered through commercial feed. In practice, this picture is more nuanced. While commercial dry foods contain standardised amounts of vitamins and minerals, the bioavailability of these nutrients depends on the form of processing, the individual intestinal function of the animal and the underlying health status. [1]
In dogs and cats with chronic conditions, a disturbed gut microbiome, increased oxidative stress or an increased metabolic requirement, such as with growth, convalescence or old age, the micronutrient status can be suboptimal despite adequate nutrition. Daily supplementation with easily absorbable forms of essential vitamins and minerals is mechanistically well founded in these contexts.
Formulation logic: why the form counts
Daily Multi consciously chooses vitamins and minerals in their most biologically active or easily absorbable forms. This is not a marketing argument but a pharmacologically relevant distinction.
D3 (cholecalciferol) increases calcium absorption through the intestine. K2 as MK-7 activates osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein, essential for correct calcium deposition in bone and prevention of vascular calcification. Without K2, D3 supplementation may promote calcium overload in soft tissues. [2]
Natural mixed tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) offer a broader antioxidant profile than synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol. Gamma-tocopherol has specific protective action against nitrogen radicals that alpha-tocopherol lacks. [3]
Folate as methylfolate (5-MTHF) and B12 as methylcobalamin are the active, readily available forms that do not require hepatic conversion. This is relevant in animals with impaired liver function or genetic variants in methylation metabolism. [4]
Zinc as zinc bisglycinate, iron as iron bisglycinate and selenium as selenomethionine have a demonstrably higher bioavailability than inorganic salts and a lower risk of gastrointestinal irritation.[5]
The organic extract base: phytonutrients as cofactors
The basis of the Daily Multi consists of concentrated organic fruit and vegetable extracts, supplemented with easily absorbable vitamins and minerals. This adds a dimension that purely synthetic multivitamins lack: the presence of phytonutrients, coenzymes, organic acids and trace elements that occur in nature together with the standardized vitamins.
Vitamin C in its natural context, such as in acerola extract or rosehip, is surrounded by bioflavonoids that improve absorption and intracellular retention compared to isolated ascorbic acid. [6] The same principle applies to beta-carotene (provitamin A) in plant extracts: it is converted to retinol in the intestine based on its current need, which excludes toxicity due to excess. This is a relevant safety difference with preformed retinol. [7]
Liposomal formulation for a multivitamin
In a multivitamin, liposomal technology is relevant for the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and for nutrients that are sensitive to stomach acid or intestinal proteases. Fat-soluble vitamins require micelle formation in the intestine for adequate absorption, a process that is suboptimal in animals with fat malabsorption, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) or chronic intestinal problems. Liposomal encapsulation partially circumvents this by allowing direct absorption through the intestinal mucosa. [8] At the same time, the intestinal wall is less stressed than with high doses of conventional supplements, which is an advantage in sick and sensitive animals.
Applications by life stage and indication
Puppies and growth
In the growth phase, the need for vitamins and minerals per kilogram of body weight is higher than in adult animals. Calcium, phosphorus, vitamins D3 and K2 are essential for skeletal development. Zinc plays a central role in cell proliferation and tissue differentiation. [9] A daily bio-based multi-formula is a useful addition to a balanced diet in the growth phase, especially for puppies raised on raw or home-cooked food.
Adult dogs: daily support
In adult dogs on commercial dry food, supplementation is less urgent but not irrelevant. Thermal processing of dry food reduces the bioavailability of heat-labile vitamins such as thiamine (B1), folate and vitamin C.[10] In addition, research shows that dogs on an extruded kibble have a significantly lower microbiome diversity than dogs on minimally processed fresh food, with measurable differences in gut metabolites and production of short-chain fatty acids. [14] A lower microbiome also means less endogenous production of vitamins such as B12 and K and fewer short-chain fatty acids that support the gut barrier. Dogs on dry food therefore have a higher need for external micronutrient supplementation than their nutritional analysis suggests. In dogs on varied or home-cooked foods, a daily multi can complete the micronutrient base without the risk of toxicity with fat-soluble vitamins, provided the dosage is tailored to the nutritional background.
Senior dogs
In aging dogs, the absorption capacity of the intestine decreases, the oxidative load increases and the immune function gradually decreases. [11] Antioxidant vitamins (C, E, mixed tocopherols) and selenomethionine are mechanistically relevant for dampening oxidative stress in this phase. Vitamin D3 is especially relevant in senior dogs because skin synthesis via UVB exposure is insufficient in many animals kept indoors.
Recovery after illness or surgery
In the recovery phase after illness, surgery or long-term medication use, micronutrient requirements are increased. Zinc and vitamin C are essential for collagen synthesis and wound healing. B vitamins support the cellular repair processes. Iron is relevant for blood loss or anemia after surgical procedures. [12]
For allergies and skin problems
An optimal micronutrient status supports skin barrier function and immune regulation in allergic skin conditions. Zinc plays a specific role in the regulation of keratinization and the expression of tight junction proteins in the epidermis. Selenium and vitamin E protect skin cells from oxidative damage in chronic inflammation. [13] Daily Multi is a useful addition to the NGD Care Skin Protocol in this case.
Cats are mandatory carnivores with specific nutritional needs that differ from dogs. Taurine and L-carnitine are essential for cats and cannot be produced in sufficient quantities themselves. Daily Multi does not contain taurine or L-carnitine.
Taurine and L-carnitine are mainly found in red meat and heart. A diet based on cold-processed fresh meat (KVV) is therefore often a sufficient source of nutrition. In senior cats, cats with heart problems or cats with liver problems, the need is increased and targeted supplementation is necessary. Pion et al. showed that taurine deficiency in cats leads to dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that was shown to be reversible after taurine supplementation. [15] Sanderson et al. documented the role of L-carnitine in heart failure and its clinical improvement after supplementation in cats and certain breeds of dogs. [16]
Consult a veterinarian for proper dosage and supplementation.
Application area Daily Multi
Daily micronutrient support for dogs at all stages of life. Supplement to home-cooked or varied feed. Recovery after illness, surgery or long-term medication use. Support skin barrier and immune function in allergies. Senior dogs with increased antioxidant and vitamin D requirements. Cats with supplemental taurine and L-carnitine supplementation. Always in consultation with a veterinarian in case of existing conditions or specific nutritional protocols.
Conclusion
Daily Multi is more than a standard multivitamin: the choice of organic extracts as a base matrix, vitamins in active forms and chelated minerals makes it a formula with a demonstrably higher biological value than synthetic multivitamin preparations. The liposomal technology makes the product suitable for animals with reduced intestinal absorption and sensitive stomach.
The product is widely applicable, from growth to old age, from recovery to daily support, and forms a useful breeding ground for any integral supplement protocol. In cats, a specific supplement guideline applies for taurine and L-carnitine.
View NGD Care Daily Multi in the webshop
Literature
- Fascetti AJ, Delaney SJ. Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition. Wiley-Blackwell; 2012.
- Vermeer C. Vitamin K: the effect on health beyond coagulation — an overview. Food Nutr Res. 2012;56:5329.
- Jiang Q. Natural forms of vitamin E: metabolism, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and their role in disease prevention and therapy. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014; 72:76–90.
- Stover PJ. Physiology of folate and vitamin B12 in health and disease. Nutr Rev. 2004; 62(6 Pt 2):S3–S12.
- Schuchardt JP, Hahn A. Intestinal absorption and factors influencing bioavailability of magnesium — an update. Curr Nutr Food Sci. 2017; 13(4):260–278.
- Carr AC, Vissers MC. Synthetic or food-derived vitamin C — are they equally bioavailable? Nutrients. 2013; 5(11):4284–4304.
- Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, et al. Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012; (3):CD007176.
- Kohli K, Chopra S, Dhar D, et al. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems: an approach to enhance bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2010; 62(8):1032–1040.
- National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press; 2006.
- van Rooijen C, Bosch G, van der Poel AF, et al. The Maillard reaction and pet food processing: effects on nutritive value and pet health. Nutr Res Rev. 2013; 26(2):130–148.
- Lowseth LA, Gillett NA, Gillet CS, et al. The effects of aging on hematology and serum chemistry values in the beagle dog. Fat Clin Pathol. 1990; 19(1):13–19.
- Guo S, DiPietro LA. Factors affecting wound healing. J Dent Res. 2010; 89(3):219–229.
- Bensignor E, Morgan DM, Nuttall T. Efficacy of an essential fatty acid-enriched diet in managing canine atopic dermatitis: a randomized, single-blinded, cross-over study. Fat Dermatol. 2008; 19(3):156–162.
- Hang I, Rinttila T, Zentek J, et al. Effect of high contents of dietary animal-derived protein or carbohydrates on canine faecal microbiota. BMC Vet Res. 2012;8:90. [Microbiome Diversity in Extruded Dry Food vs. Minimally Processed Dog Food]
- Pawn PD, Kittleson MD, Rogers QR, Morris JG. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. Science. 1987; 237(4816):764–768.
- Sanderson SL. Taurine and carnitine in canine cardiomyopathy. Fat Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2006; 36(6):1325–1343.
This information is educational in nature and based on available scientific literature. The studies mentioned are not always directly veterinary or specific to the formulation described here. This text does not replace a veterinary consultation and does not contain any therapeutic claims.