Does a Working Dog Have Special Needs?

Demands on the working dog far exceed the demands on the average family dog. Their bodies and brains need to keep up with all the tasks that are required of them. This makes it especially important for the working dog to get all the supplementation he or she needs to maintain health, drive, intelligence and tenacity.

Working Dogs need to think. And thinking is work! A dog’s nutritional intake affects brain function. The brain itself has very high energy and nutrient needs. Nutrient intake affects the levels of neurotransmitters – which, in turn, affects memory and problem-solving ability. Vitamin B-6 is needed to produce most of the brain’s neurotransmitters, while Vitamin B-12 is needed to maintain the outer coating of nerve cells. A Niacin deficiency results in loss of memory. Vitamin D3 maintains the nervous system and Boron, a trace mineral, enhances brain function. Zinc is called ‘the intelligence mineral’ and is required for mental development. Zinc helps in the production of about 100 enzymes in your dog’s body, builds a healthy immune system and maintains the sense of smell and taste. It’s also great for the skin and coat. Vitamin A is important for sight and a deficiency in this vitamin can cause night blindness. Working Dogs need to think through situations and handle problems. We put them at a disadvantage if we do not provide all the tools they need to do this.

The Working Dog’s schedule also requires stamina and complete supplementation increases stamina by keeping cellular processes working full on during the times when concentration and endurance are so very necessary. A full complement of B vitamins for stress, iodine and selenium for the thyroid and Vitamin E and Vitamin C for antioxidant activity all help to keep things running smoothly during times of stress.

Phytochemicals provide even more energy and resilience as they live in the system far longer than vitamins and minerals. Additionally, research has shown unequivocally that the phytoNUTRIENTS in foods such as broccoli, kale, cranberries, blueberries, and carrots help to prevent cancer as well as many other diseases.

Deserving Pets Vital Vitamins for Dogs was created with the needs of the working dog and with superior health benefits in mind. This vitamin was designed using the latest information available from research in nutrition. If you compare Deserving Pets Vital Vitamins for Dogs to others on the market you will see they include a full compliment of vitamins, minerals (and list the milligrams, International Units and formulation of the ingredients) along with phytonutrients – all from raw, human grade food sources. A special flavor blasting process hides any unpleasant taste from the vitamins and makes it a real treat for any dog when simply added to the food

Dr. Deva Khalsa, VMD