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Vitamins
Animals need different types of vitamins. Each type will have different
functions in the body.
Vitamin B complex and C
These vitamins are water soluble. They are not stored in the body and
therefore the animal needs a daily intake. Because of this, you do not get a
problem if they are supplied in excess as the surplus is removed by the
kidneys and excreted in the urine.
It is rare to get a deficiency of these vitamins in an animal on a complete
and balanced diet. However, if there is prolonged water loss—for example,
polyuria or diarrhoea—they may may need supplementation.
This table shows you some important vitamins, what they’re important for,
what happens if it is not included in the diet. The table also outlines
examples of foods that are sources of particular vitamins.
Vitamin
Function
Deficiency
Food sources
Thiamine B1 carbohydrate and
protein metabolism,
release of energy from
carbohydrate
anorexia, vomiting,
ventroflexion of the
head, paralysis, heart
failure and death
meat, cereal, yeast
Riboflavin
B2
growth and skin
condition, utilisation
of energy
weight loss, weakness, organ meats, eggs,
collapse, coma
yeast, cereal
Niacin
health of mouth
tissues
mouth and tongue
ulcers
organ meats, eggs,
yeast, cereal
Vitamin B12 division of red blood
cells in the bone
marrow
anaemia, poor growth muscle meat, milk,
liver
Folic acid
anaemia, poor growth organ meats, yeast
division of red blood
cells in the bone
marrow
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© NSW DET 2007
Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
These vitamins are stored in the fatty tissues and in the liver. Due to this
storage animals do not need a daily supply. Important: If fed in excess, the
level can be toxic for the animal.
Vitamin Source
Function
Deficiency
Excess
A
liver, kidney,
milk
sight, skin, bone
and teeth growth,
kidney function
poor growth, skin in cats—fusion of the
and eye problems, vertebrae (‘Kangaroo
bone problems
Cat’)
D
formed in
sunlight, fish
liver oil, egg
yolk, milk
calcium balance
and bone growth
rickets,
poor growth,
osteomalacia (soft malformation of
bones)
bones and teeth
calcification of soft
tissues and kidneys
resulting in kidney
failure
E
egg yolk, cereal, reproduction, stops impaired
milk, vegetables, vitamin A being
reproduction,
vegetable oil
destroyed
inflammation of
muscle and of fat
in cats
none
K
synthesised by
intestinal
bacteria
none
blood clotting
haemorrhage
2
© NSW DET 2007
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© NSW DET 2007