Which vitamin deficiency might contribute to rickets in dogs?

Rickets is a condition characterized by the weakening of bones in growing animals, including dogs, due to a deficiency of specific nutrients. In the context of rickets, vitamin D plays a crucial role because it is essential for the proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Both calcium and phosphorus are vital for healthy bone development.

Without adequate vitamin D, dogs cannot effectively absorb these minerals, leading to inadequate bone mineralization and the subsequent development of rickets. This condition is more common in growing puppies who have higher nutritional needs. Supplementation with vitamin D is therefore necessary to prevent this deficiency and ensure proper skeletal development.

In contrast, vitamin A, B, and E serve different functions in the body. Vitamin A is primarily important for vision and immune function, B vitamins are essential for energy metabolism, and vitamin E acts as an antioxidant. While deficiencies in these vitamins can affect overall health, they do not specifically lead to rickets, making vitamin D the critical vitamin associated with this particular skeletal condition in dogs.