Taking a daily multivitamin is an important part of your routine, but did you realize that your dog may need a supplement too? Like humans, dogs require certain vitamins and minerals to maintain optimal health. One of these nutrients, selenium, is particularly beneficial for your dog’s cellular metabolism.
Benefits of Selenium for Dogs
This key nutrient has many benefits for dogs, including the following:
• Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
• Aids in prevention of abnormal cell division
• Supports a healthy skin and coat
• Promotes heart health and circulatory system functioning
• Helps to regulate the thyroid
• Promotes healthy joints
• Improves muscle functioning
Dogs that fail to receive enough of this nutrient may experience health issues, including reproductive problems, muscle weakness, and cardiovascular issues. If selenium deficiency persists, it can be harmful to your pet’s health.
What Is It?
Selenium is a trace element that humans and dogs cannot produce for themselves. This means that a dog must get it through dietary sources. It occurs naturally in soil, so humans often get this nutrient through plant sources such as grains. Selenium is found in every cell in a dog’s body and is essential for the proper maintenance of cellular health.
When selenium enters your dog’s system, it is converted to an enzyme known as glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione peroxidase and related compounds act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are a special class of molecules that clean up hazardous free radicals that build up in cells. Free radicals accumulate as dogs grow older, are exposed to certain toxins, breathe in polluted air, or eat unhealthy foods. Thus, ensuring your dog gets enough of this nutrient can help him or her repair cellular damage that has occurred. Antioxidants such as selenium can also aid in preventing future damage from occurring.
How Much Does My Dog Need?
Your dog’s daily diet may provide some amount of selenium, but is it enough? Check your dog’s food packaging to determine how much your dog is getting. Supplementing your dog’s diet with a vitamin containing selenium, like NuVet vitamins for dogs, is a great way to ensure your beloved pet gets the necessary amount of nutrients.
Like many vitamins and minerals, it is possible to get too much of a good thing. An overabundance may occur so it is important to ensure your dog gets the proper amount. Of course, it is always best to talk to your veterinarian to get the most accurate information about how much selenium your dog needs to stay healthy.
How to Get the Greatest Benefit
Selenium does not work in isolation; it is part of a system of cellular compounds that work together to help prevent damage. It is important to ensure that your dog receives the appropriate amount of all essential vitamins and minerals. Zinc and vitamin E are particularly important to take with selenium, as these nutrients work together to combat free radicals and oxidative damage within cells. Taking a balanced supplement designed for dogs is the best way to ensure your canine companion gets the precise amount of selenium and other nutrients needed to maximize health.
