vitamins & minerals

Below is a list of the vitamins and minerals that are essential in your dog’s feeding programme.

We have provided some suggestions to the types of ingredients that can be added.

 

VITAMIN B1 (Thiamine)

Benefits – Aids digestion, strengthens the nervous system, increses mental awareness, promotes growth and prevents stress.

Meat sources

Liver, lamb, turkey, pork, rabbit, goat, beef, egg, sardines, salmon, and halibut.

Plant/herbal sources

Green peas, squash, asparagus, lucerne, bladder wrack, burdock root, chamomile, red clover, sage, parsley, peppermint, catnip, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, nettle, fenugreek, hops, rose hips, oat straw, raspberry leaves, yarrow, and yellow dock.

 

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Benefits – Aids growth and reproduction, necessary for the formation of red blood cells, Important for the prevention of cataracts, encourages skin, nail, and hair growth

Meat sources

Liver, lamb, turkey, pork, rabbit, goat, beef, egg, sardines, salmon, and halibut.

Plant/herbal Sources

Spinach, avocado, mushrooms, lucerne, bladder wrack, burdock root, chamomile, red clover, sage, parsley, peppermint, catnip, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, nettle, ginseng, horsetail, fenugreek, hops, rose hips, oat straw, raspberry leaves, yarrow, and yellow dock.

 

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Benefits – Aids digestion, increases energy, prevents migraines, and promotes circulation and healthy skin.

Meat sources

Lamb, turkey, pork, chicken, rabbit, goat, beef, egg, sardines, salmon, halibut, tuna, halibut, sardines

Plant/herbal sources

Avocado, sweet potato, green peas, lucerne, bladder wrack, burdock root, chamomile, red clover, sage, parsley, peppermint, catnip, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, nettle, ginseng, horsetail, fenugreek, hops, rose hips, oat straw, raspberry leaves, yellow dock, slippery elm.

 

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Benefits – Assists with healing wounds, fights infection, strengthens immune system, increases stamina, and prevents anaemia.

Meat sources

Lamb, liver, kidney, heart, turkey, pork, chicken, rabbit, beef, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardines.

Plant/herbal sources

Avocado, sweet potatoes, lentils, lucerne, burdock root, nettle, yellow dock.

 

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 

Benefits – Assists in treating asthma, arthritis and allergies, aids in the absorption of proteins and fats, helps to prevent kidney stones, mildly diuretic, assists in the production of hydrochloric acid.

Meat sources – Lamb, liver, heart, kidney, turkey, pork, chicken, rabbit, goat, beef, egg, sardines, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardines

Plant/herbal sources

Sweet potatoes, avocados, lucerne, catnip, oat straw.

 

Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic Acid)

Benefits – Assists in the production of red bloods cells and iron efficiency, controls the amino acids in the blood, reduces birth defects in pregnant females.

Meat sources – Lamb, liver, turkey, pork, chicken, rabbit, goat, beef, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardines.

Plant/herbal sources – Avocados, asparagus, broccoli, mango, spinach, lentils, rosemary, dandelion, parsley, spirulina.

 

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

Benefits – Aids digestion, protects the nervous system, improves concentration, assists with the prevention of anaemia.

Meat sources – Lamb, liver, turkey, pork, chicken, rabbit, goat, beef, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardines.

Plant/herbal sources – Lucerne, bladderwrack, hops

 

Vitamin A

(Vitamin A can accumulate in the body over time. Do not add additional foods rich in Vitamin A if it already contains sufficient levels.)

Benefits – Important for the formation of teeth and bones, protects against colds and infections, boosts immunity, prevents skin and eye problems, important in bone and teeth formation. Protects against colds and infections.

Meat sources – Liver, kidney, brain, chicken, pork, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardines, tuna.

Plant/herbal sources – Carrots, butternut squash, spinach, sweet potato, kale, red pepper, cantaloupe melon, papaya, mango, lucerne, paprika, peppermint, sage, parsley, borage leaves, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, mullein, nettle, oat straw, plantain, raspberry leaves, red clover, rose hips, violet leaves, watercress, yellow dock.

 

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Benefits – Boosts immunity, prevents cancer, Antioxidant for tissue growth, repair and adrenal gland function, Assists with the formation of calcium and iron, contributes towards anti-stress hormones

Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps prevent cancer. Aids in production of anti-stress hormones. Antioxidant required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function.

Meat sources – Heart, liver, kidney, fish.

Plant/herbal source – Broccoli, tomatoes, peas, kale, bell peppers, kiwi fruit, lucerne, paprika, kelp, peppermint, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, pine needle, plantain, skullcap, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, skullcap, violet leaves, yarrow, yellow dock.

 

Vitamin D

(Dogs need to intake vitamin D from their diet as they are unable to produce it from the sun like humans.)

Benefits – Boosts immunity, assists with the development of bones and teeth, regulates the heartbeat, aids thyroid function and blood clotting, necessary for the utilisation of calcium and phosphorus.

Meat sources – Liver, kidney, egg, sardine, salmon, tuna.

Plant/herbal sources

Lucerne, parsley, horsetail, nettle.

 

Vitamin E

(Grain fed meats contain four times less the amount of vitamin E than grass fed meats. It is not easily absorbed and less than 50% is available for the body.)

Benefits – Encourages healthy skin and hair, prevents damage to cells, reduces blood pressure, antioxidant which assists with the prevention of heart disease and cancer. 

Meat sources – Liver, brain, kidney, egg, haddock, halibut, sardines.

Plant/herbal sources – Spinach, butternut squash, broccoli, kiwi fruit, lucerne, flaxseed, bladder wrack, dandelion, nettle, oat straw, raspberry leaf, rose hips.

 

Vitamin K

Benefits – Assists with bone formation and repair, increases longevity, contributes towards healthy liver function.

Meat sources – Liver, egg, halibut, haddock, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Lucerne, green tea, kelp, nettle, oat straw, shepherds purse

 

Calcium

Benefits – Assists with the maintenance of a regular heartbeat, prevents muscle cramping, builds, and protects teeth and bones.

Meat sources – Lamb, beef, chicken, rabbit, turkey, pork, goat, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Parsley, paprika, lucerne, burdock root, cayenne, peppermint chamomile, chickweed, chicory, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, flaxseed, hops, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, rose hips, mullein, nettle, oat straw, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, shepherd’s purse, violet leaves, yarrow, yellow dock.

 

Copper

Benefits – Required for healthy bones and joints, protects against anaemia, converts iron to haemoglobin. Protects against anaemia.

Meat sources – Lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, goat, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine

Plant/ herbal sources – Sheep sorrel.

 

Iodine

Benefits – Assists with the metabolism of fats, required for healthy thyroid.

Meat sources – Turkey breast, Egg, salmon, haddock, tuna, seafood.

Plant/herbal sources – Kelp, dries seaweed, cranberries, green beans, Tarragon leaves.

 

Iron

Benefits – Necessary for the production of haemoglobin and metabolism.

Meat sources – Lamb, beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, goat, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Spinach, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, squash, lucerne, paprika, parsley, kelp, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, chicory, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, horsetail, lemongrass, milk thistle seed, mullein, nettle, oatstraw, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaf, rose hips, sarsaparilla, shepherd’s purse, uva ursi, yellow dock, dong quai

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Magnesium

Benefits – Improves the circulatory system, assists with dissolving calcium phosphate kidney stones, prevents the calcification of soft tissue. Helps to prevent birth defects.

Meat sources – Beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, goat, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Spinach, pumpkin seeds, avocados, chickpeas, kidney beans,

lucerne, Paprika, parsley, sage, peppermint, bladder wrack, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, mullein, dandelion, eyebright, fennel, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, nettle, oat straw, raspberry leaf, red clover, shepherd’s purse, yarrow, yellow dock.

 

Manganese

(Actively stimulates the enzymes for the build up of collagen. Essential for the strength of tendons and ligaments.)

Benefits – Regulates blood sugars, normal bone growth, production of thyroid hormone, assists with a maintaining a healthy nervous system.

Meat sources – Beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, goat, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, halibut, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Sweet potatoes, spinach, lima beans, chickpeas, lucerne, parsley, peppermint, burdock root, catnip, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, mullein, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginseng, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, mullein, , raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hip, wild yam, yarrow, yellow dock.

 

Phosphorus

Benefits – Assists with normal heart rhythm and kidney function, required for the formation of teeth and bone formation. Transferring nerve impulses.

Meat Sources – Beef, lamb, rabbit, turkey, pork, goat, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Squash, pumpkin seeds, lentils, chickpeas, burdock root, turkey rhubarb, slippery elm bark.

 

Potassium

Benefits – Assists with regulating heart rhythm and nervous system, regulates water balance, and muscle function.

Meat sources – Beef, lamb, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, goat, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Spinach, kale, avocados, butternut squash, tomatoes, sage, catnip, hops, horsetail, nettle, plantain, red clover, skullcap.

 

Selenium

Benefits – Assists with the regulation of thyroid function, protects the immune system, provides an important trace element for the prostate gland in males.

Meat sources – Beef, lamb, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, goat, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Sunflower seeds, spinach, lentils, lucerne, garlic, parsley, peppermint, lemongrass, , burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, fennel seed, ginseng, garlic, hawthorn berry, horsetail, milk thistle nettle, oat straw, raspberry leaf, rose hips, sarsaparilla, uva ursi, yarrow, yellow dock.

 

Zinc

Benefits – Promotes healthy immune system, accelerates healing, promotes growth and mental conditioning. regulates oil glands.

Meat sources – Beef, lamb, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, goat, egg, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.

Plant/herbal sources – Chickpeas, lentils, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, squash, lucerne, parsley, sage, burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, mullein, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, milk thistle, nettle, rose hips, sarsaparilla, skullcap, wild yam.