When I compared a nutritional analysis of Preference plus turkey to the 2006
National Research Council (NRC) nutrient recommendations, the minerals zinc,
copper, and selenium, vitamins D and E, and possibly some B vitamins were all
low. This is because commercial dog foods are designed to meet nutrient profiles
established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAF CO), which
are based on older research published by the NRC in 1985.
Instead of supplementing with vitamin E alone, Allen could give a multi-vitamin
and mineral supplement made for either humans or dogs to help make up
for the differences between the AAF CO and NRC guidelines. Most one-a-day
multivitamins that are designed to provide 100 percent of the recommended daily
allowance (RDA ) for people, such as Centrum for Adults under 50, would supply
appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals for dogs when giving 1 tablet per
40 to 50 pounds of body weight daily. Supplements made for dogs could also
be used. Allen should use salmon oil rather than cod liver oil if the supplement
contains significant amounts of vitamin D.
