posted 11-11-2003 10:30 AM         

I did find this statement on the BOARD ON AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES HOMEPAGE, which makes me wonder if the actual information with amounts is even out there. http://www7.nationalacademies.org/banr/BANR_Cats_and_Dogs.html

I was able to find lists of WHAT is required with explanations of what happens when the animal either gets too much of something or not enough, but nowhere did I find actual amounts, or a requirement guideline. I'll keep looking, now I am curious!

PS I also tried the web site for Assocation of American Feed Control Officials, thats what you always see on the side of the dog food bag, it says something like "____ is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the A.A.F.C.O. dog food nutrient profile for all life stages."
Anyhow I couldn't find it there either.
http://www.aafco.org/

Maybe I missed it on some of these links, see what you find.

posted 11-11-2003 11:11 AM         

http://dels.nas.edu/banr/cd_dog_vit.html

posted 11-13-2003 10:49 PM         

Why are you concerned about vit A? Deficiency or too much? A lot of vits & mins can be found in many veggies and other food sources too. What is the current diet of your dog? General health? Special issues or concerns?

posted 11-14-2003 11:25 AM         

He's been diagnosed with inhalant allergies, so I'd like to supplement his diet with something containing fatty acids and hopefully reduce the symptoms (inflamed ears, occasionally itchy feet) He's currently eating Wellness Chicken Adult, but I'm going to try Fish & Sweet Potato because there was apparently a mis-communication, and he was only tested for inhalants + general healthcheck and not food allergies as well.

Many of the supplements I've looked at contain Vit.A and D, including the fatty acid supplements, so I'd like to add up food, treats, etc. and see if toxicity is even a remote possibility if I use the product as directed. That vitamin calculator (Thanks!) gave an upper limit for beta-carotene -- I know that the body converts beta-carotene into Vit A, but is there a way to calculate Vit. A from beta-carotene? Is it true that Vit. A toxicity is more likely than with beta-carotene?

posted 11-14-2003 11:47 AM         

You should write a book when you have it all figured out.

posted 11-14-2003 11:00 PM         

Fish oil is a good source of EFAs but you can also get EFAs from flax seed oil, eggs, nuts, hemp seed oil - so you don't necessarily have to give fish oil. If you're planning to give fish oils I would use at least two kinds (not together but on different days) - salmon or other fish source and then a day or two later cod liver oil. But CLO shouldn't be given in large amounts because of the vit A & D content.

"I know that the body converts beta-carotene into Vit A, but is there a way to calculate Vit. A from beta-carotene? Is it true that Vit. A toxicity is more likely than with beta-carotene?"

** Good questions which would be better answered by a holistic vet or a canine nutritionist. I would consult with someone who has studied in that area.