Good nutrition is about more than protein and fat. ardam, formerly CDK9 Raw, believes that understanding the vitamins your dog needs is just as important as choosing the right meat, and it helps explain why a varied, whole-food raw diet tends to naturally cover a dog's nutritional bases better than a single processed formula. This guide walks through the key vitamins dogs need, natural food sources for each, and what a deficiency or imbalance might look like across dogs in Sydney and the rest of Australia.
What vitamins do dogs need in their diet?
Dogs require a range of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, including vitamin A, the B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K. Each plays a distinct role, from vision and immune function to energy metabolism and blood clotting. A varied raw diet that rotates through different proteins, organ meats and appropriate plant matter tends to supply a broad spread of these nutrients naturally, rather than relying on a single synthetic vitamin blend.
Why is vitamin A important for dogs?
Vitamin A supports healthy vision, immune function and skin health in dogs. It is found naturally in liver and other organ meats, which is one reason raw feeders include a modest portion of liver in a rotation of proteins. Because vitamin A is fat-soluble and can build up in the body, organ meat is generally fed in smaller proportions, usually around 5-10% of the total diet, to avoid excessive intake over time.
What do B vitamins do for a dog's energy levels?
The B-complex vitamins, including B12, B6 and niacin, are involved in how a dog's body converts food into usable energy and supports normal nervous system function. B vitamins are found in muscle meat, organ meat and fish, making them a natural feature of a varied raw diet. Dogs that seem lethargic or low in energy may benefit from a diet that includes a good spread of B-vitamin-rich ingredients, though ongoing lethargy should always be checked by a vet to rule out other causes.
Does vitamin E support skin and coat health in dogs?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may help support healthy skin and a glossy coat, and it also plays a role in supporting normal immune function. It is found in modest amounts in various whole foods and is often included in commercial supplements. As with all fat-soluble vitamins, balance matters, since a diet that already includes appropriate fat sources generally provides enough vitamin E without needing extra supplementation.
How do I know if my dog is getting enough vitamins?
A well-planned raw diet that rotates through multiple protein sources, includes organ meat in appropriate proportions, and incorporates some plant matter generally supplies the vitamin spread a healthy dog needs. Signs that might suggest a nutritional gap include a dull coat, low energy or slow recovery from minor scrapes, though these can also indicate unrelated health issues, so a vet check is always the right first step rather than guessing at a vitamin deficiency. Our meal planner can help ensure your dog's diet is appropriately varied and balanced.
Can I over-supplement my dog with vitamins?
Yes, particularly with fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K, which the body stores rather than excreting excess amounts. Over-supplementing, especially with concentrated commercial vitamin products on top of an already varied raw diet, can lead to imbalances. This is why a whole-food approach, where vitamins come from real ingredients in reasonable proportions, is generally a safer default than adding multiple synthetic supplements without veterinary guidance.
At ardam, our raw meal plans are built around a rotation of proteins, organ meats and appropriate plant matter to help cover a dog's vitamin needs naturally. Explore our full range or browse our organ meat and offal collection to see how we build nutritional variety into every meal.
What plant foods provide vitamins for dogs?
Small amounts of dog-safe vegetables and fruits, such as pumpkin, carrot and blueberries, can contribute additional vitamins and fibre to a raw diet. These should remain a minor component alongside the core proteins and organ meats, since dogs are primarily suited to a protein-rich diet, but a small amount of appropriate plant matter rounds out the overall nutrient profile nicely. If you are building a full meal plan, our puppy feeding guide covers proportions across life stages in more detail.
If you are new to raw feeding and want to see how a varied, vitamin-rich diet works in practice, our sample pack is a simple way to trial a range of proteins with your dog.
How does vitamin D support a dog's health?
Vitamin D plays a role in calcium and phosphorus regulation, which supports healthy bones and teeth. Unlike humans, dogs cannot efficiently produce vitamin D from sunlight, so they rely on dietary sources such as fish, egg yolk and liver. Because vitamin D is fat-soluble and can accumulate in the body, it is one of the more important vitamins to get right through balanced whole food rather than excessive supplementation, and any commercial supplement products should be dosed carefully and only under guidance.
What role does vitamin K play in a dog's diet?
Vitamin K is essential for normal blood clotting function. It is found in leafy green vegetables and some organ meats, and dogs eating a varied diet with appropriate plant matter alongside quality protein sources generally receive adequate amounts. Vitamin K deficiency is uncommon in dogs eating a balanced diet, but certain medications and health conditions can affect how the body uses it, so any dog with unusual bruising or slow-healing cuts should be assessed by a vet promptly.
How does variety in a raw diet help cover a dog's vitamin needs?
Rather than trying to hit exact vitamin targets with a single ingredient, the safest and most natural approach is variety. Rotating between different proteins such as beef, chicken, duck, lamb and fish, along with appropriate organ meat and a small amount of plant matter, spreads vitamin intake across many natural sources rather than concentrating it in one place. This mirrors how dogs would naturally encounter a range of nutrients in an ancestral diet, and it is the philosophy behind how ardam structures its meal ranges for dogs across Sydney and the rest of Australia.
FAQ: Essential vitamins for dogs
What vitamins are most important for dogs?
Vitamin A, the B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K all play important roles, from vision and energy metabolism to immune function and blood clotting.
Can dogs get all their vitamins from raw food?
A well-balanced, varied raw diet that includes appropriate organ meat, muscle meat and some plant matter generally supplies a good spread of essential vitamins.
Do dogs need vitamin supplements on a raw diet?
Many dogs on a properly varied raw diet do not need additional synthetic supplements, but it is worth discussing your dog's individual needs with a vet, particularly for dogs with specific health conditions.
What foods are high in vitamin A for dogs?
Liver and other organ meats are naturally rich in vitamin A and are typically fed in smaller proportions as part of a balanced raw diet.
Can too many vitamins be harmful to dogs?
Yes, particularly fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K, which can accumulate in the body. Over-supplementing without guidance can lead to imbalances.
Where can I get help building a balanced vitamin-rich diet for my dog?
ardam's meal planner can help you build a varied, balanced raw diet for your dog's individual needs.
For further reading on canine nutritional standards, see the VCA Animal Hospitals nutrition resources and the National Animal Supplement Council.
Reviewed by the ardam team. For veterinary advice on your individual dog, contact Dr. Anna Huynh at Greystanes Veterinary Clinic (26 Carnation St, Greystanes NSW 2145, (02) 9609 1500).
Author: the ardam team.
To cover the full vitamin profile without a supplement rack, feed a balanced complete raw meal built on muscle meat, organ, and bone.
