Icon for Bernie's University Nutrients.

Nutrients

Illustration of Headline Highlighter.
The Nutrients category focuses on individual vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other compounds essential for supporting a dog’s health and biological processes. Derived from foods or supplements, these nutrients play critical roles in digestion, joint health, immune function, and more, contributing to a dog’s overall well-being.
Icon for Duster Table.
search_title Featured Image Information
Inulin Inulin
Inulin
Inulin
Inulin is a naturally occurring soluble fiber and prebiotic found in plants like chicory root and Miscanthus grass. It bypasses digestion in the small intestine, reaching the colon where it feeds beneficial gut bacteria, supporting a healthy microbiome, improved digestion, and stool quality in dogs.
Bromelain Bromelain
Bromelain
Bromelain
Bromelain is a natural enzyme complex derived from pineapple, valued for its ability to break down proteins and reduce inflammation. In dogs, it supports digestive health by aiding protein digestion and nutrient absorption while also promoting joint health and recovery from injuries.
Papain Papain
Papain
Papain
Papain is an enzyme derived from papaya that aids in protein digestion. In dog supplements, it supports gastrointestinal health and may help soothe digestive upset.
Lipase Lipase
Lipase
Lipase
Lipase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down dietary fats into glycerol and free fatty acids. For dogs, it ensures efficient fat digestion, promoting energy and supporting skin and coat health.
Vitamin K2 Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for calcium regulation and bone health. It supports the activation of proteins that prevent calcium buildup in arteries while directing it to bones, enhancing skeletal strength and cardiovascular health in dogs.
Boron Boron
Boron
Boron
Boron is a conditionally-essential trace mineral that supports bone health by enhancing calcium transport, improving osteoblast activity, and promoting the regeneration of soft tissue proteins like collagen. It also aids muscle health and regulates key vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D and magnesium, contributing to overall skeletal and joint health in dogs.
Curcumin Curcumin
Curcumin
Curcumin
Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from turmeric with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It supports joint health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs, often combined with piperine to improve absorption and efficacy.
Type-II Collagen Type-II Collagen
Type-II Collagen
Type-II Collagen
Type-II collagen is a structural protein found in cartilage, crucial for joint health. For dogs, it helps maintain joint function, supports cartilage repair, and may reduce inflammation in conditions like arthritis.
Piperine Piperine
Piperine
Piperine
Piperine is a terpene found in black pepper that enhances the bioavailability of fellow nutrients, such as curcumin, by slowing their metabolism in the liver and increasing their absorption. In dogs, it is often used in combination with other compounds to amplify their therapeutic effects.
Protease Protease
Protease
Protease
Protease is an enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids, facilitating their absorption. In dogs, protease ensures proper digestion of protein-based diets, crucial for muscle maintenance and overall health.
Amylase Amylase
Amylase
Amylase
Amylase is a digestive enzyme that converts starches into simple sugars. For dogs, it assists in processing carbohydrate-rich foods, supporting energy production and digestive health.
Cellulase Cellulase
Cellulase
Cellulase
Cellulase is an enzyme that digests cellulose, a primary component of plant cell walls. It aids dogs in breaking down fibrous plant materials, improving digestion and reducing bloating or gas caused by incomplete fiber breakdown.
Hemicellulase Hemicellulase
Hemicellulase
Hemicellulase
Hemicellulase is an enzyme that breaks down hemicellulose, a complex plant fiber found in grains and vegetables. In dog nutrition, it supports digestive health by enhancing nutrient absorption from plant-based foods.
Vitamin C Vitamin C
Vitamin C
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as a powerful antioxidant, supporting immune function, collagen production, and wound healing in dogs. While dogs can synthesize vitamin C naturally, supplementation may provide added benefits during times of stress or illness.
Astaxanthin Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid naturally produced by certain microalgae and passed up the marine food chain to animals like krill and wild salmon. It is the compound responsible for the pink and red coloration seen in shrimp, salmon, and flamingos. In dog supplements, astaxanthin is used as a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. This cellular protection supports healthy inflammatory balance, joint and mobility function, eye and brain health, skin and coat resilience, and overall immune function, particularly in aging or active dogs.
Xylooligosaccharides Xylooligosaccharides
Xylooligosaccharides
Xylooligosaccharides
Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are prebiotic fibers that feed beneficial gut bacteria and support digestive health. Found in fruits, vegetables, and plant fibers, XOS are used in probiotic formulas to improve gut microbiome balance.
Vitamin E Vitamin E
Vitamin E
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cells from damage and supports skin, coat, immune, and heart health. It occurs naturally in fish, eggs, nuts, and leafy greens and is often added to dog food as a natural preservative to prevent fats from going rancid. Deficiency is rare but can lead to muscle weakness and neurological issues.
Resveratrol Resveratrol
Resveratrol
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a plant-based polyphenol most famous for being the antioxidant found in red wine, berries, and Japanese knotweed. It is thought to support heart health, cellular defense, and longevity by activating sirtuins—proteins tied to stress resistance and aging—while reducing inflammation and oxidative damage. In dogs, it is studied for its role in cognitive support, immune regulation, and metabolic health and is sometimes included in anti-aging and wellness supplements.
Boswellic Acid Boswellic Acid
Boswellic Acid
Boswellic Acid
Boswellic Acid is a plant compound found in Boswellia (Frankincense) resin, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly used in joint supplements to reduce arthritis-related pain and stiffness in dogs.
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid found mainly in marine foods such as sardines, anchovies, salmon, and fish oil. In dogs, EPA helps shape inflammatory signaling, immune activity, and tissue repair by becoming part of the fatty acid pathways the body uses to manage stress and recovery. It is commonly discussed for joint comfort, skin health, digestive balance, and healthy aging because inflammation touches many systems throughout the body.
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid essential for maintaining cell membrane structure, particularly in the brain and eyes. It also plays a key role in supporting cognitive function and reducing inflammation at the cellular level.
ALA (Alpha-linolenic Acid) ALA (Alpha-linolenic Acid)
ALA (Alpha-linolenic Acid)
ALA (Alpha-linolenic Acid)
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in plant foods such as flaxseed, chia seed, hemp seed, and certain vegetable oils. It belongs to the same family of fats as EPA and DHA, but serves a different role in canine nutrition. Dogs can convert some ALA into EPA and DHA, though the process is relatively inefficient. As a result, ALA is best understood as a plant-derived omega-3 rather than a major direct source of the long-chain omega-3s most commonly associated with canine health.
Tryptophan Tryptophan
Tryptophan
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that dogs must get from their diet, found in high-protein foods like turkey, chicken, fish, and eggs. Once absorbed, it can be used to build proteins or converted into serotonin for mood regulation, kynurenine for immune and inflammation control, or indoles that support gut health. Balanced tryptophan metabolism plays a key role in your dog’s emotional well-being, digestion, and immune function.
Vitamin A Vitamin A
Vitamin A
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin critical for eyesight, immune regulation, and tissue health in dogs. Dogs cannot make it themselves and depend on dietary sources, but because it is stored in the liver, consistent over- or under-intake can have lasting effects.
Vitamin D Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps dogs regulate calcium and phosphorus, supporting healthy bones, muscles, and overall metabolic balance. Dogs must obtain vitamin D from their diet, and because it is stored in the body, both deficiency and excess can affect long-term health.