Vitamins
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 Vitamins purposes are to act as catalysts or “activators” for the
enzymatic reactions that occur in the body. They assist two or more
chemicals to react with one another. They will not supply energy and they do not
form any structural components of the body. Most dog foods will contain the
proper amount of vitamins already added to them so it is rare to see a vitamin
deficiency when feeding a proper diet. What is becoming a scary trend is vitamin
poisoning. Hyper-Vitaminosis is the over-consumption of a vitamin taken in an
amount sufficiently to cause a toxic reaction. Most vitamins are made synthetically
and added to the Chihuahua’s food whether it is dry or canned.
Vitamins are divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble. This division is only
important because you will need fat and carbohydrates in the Chihuahua’s diet in
order for the fat soluble vitamins to be properly used.

These fat soluble vitamins are:

1. A
2. D
3. E
4. K

These vitamins if not used by the body will be stored in the fatty tissue of
the Chihuahua’s body. These fat soluble vitamins can be stored for a short
period of time. With the exception of vitamin K in cats which is readily used. You
need to be careful with the vitamins A and D if you give an over dose of these
vitamins over a period of months by as much as 10-100 times the daily
requirement of this vitamin it can become toxic to your Chihuahua.

The water soluble vitamins are:

1. C
2. B complex vitamins.


These vitamins if not used by the body will be excreted from the body.
With the exception of vitamin B-12 which is stored in the liver. Some dogs
can store this vitamin in their liver for as long as 2-5 years. So you need to be
really carefully about overdosing them on this vitamin.







         1.   The Collins Guide to Dog Nutrition, By Donald R. Collin, DVM
                    (1989)

         2.  http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/dog_nutrition_final.pdf
    
         3.  http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/vth/sa/clin/cp_handouts/Nutrition_Adult_Dog.
                   pdf
    
         4.  http://instoresnow.walmart.com/pets-center-article_ektid40232.aspx
    
         5.  http://www.canismajor.com/dog/nutrit2.html
    
         6.  http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/182902.
                   htm

         7.   New Secrets of Successful Show Dog Handling, by Peter Green &
                    Mario Migliorini, (2002)
 
        8.  Tricks of the Trade from Best Intentions to Best in Show, by Pat
                 Hastings with Erin Ann Rouse Revised Edition (2005).


       9.   Understanding Nutrition, by Ellie Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes
                 (2005).
      ARTICLE RESOURCES FOR VITAMINS