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Grocery stores and pharmacies are stocked with row upon row of human vitamins. With so many options for us, it is completely logical that we wonder if are the right choice for our pets, too.
But do dogs actually need canine supplements and vitamins? Are there any risks? Which vitamins should you give your dog? Here are some answers.
What Are Vitamins?
Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary to sustain life. Most are found naturally in food. Animals鈥� bodies need vitamins for growth and maintenance.
You are probably familiar with most of the vitamins human and animal bodies need, including:
- Vitamin A
- B vitamins (biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Choline
Dogs need these vitamins, too, although it is very important that we realize they may need them in different amounts than people do.
Vitamin A for Dogs
Vitamin A, in case you鈥檝e ever wondered, is the vitamin in carrots that is responsible for that good vision your parents promised you. This fat-soluble vitamin is also responsible for growth, fetal development, immune function, and cell function. There are that include Vitamin A.
B Vitamins for Dogs
The B vitamins are a group of important vitamins that play a role in your dog鈥檚 health:
- Thiamine helps regulate energy and carbohydrate metabolism, and it activates ion channels in neural tissue.
- Riboflavin, B12, and niacin help facilitate enzyme function.
- Vitamin B6 is especially vital. This vitamin is responsible for glucose generation, red blood cell and nervous system function, hormone regulation, immune response, niacin synthesis, and gene activation.
- Pantothenic acid helps with energy metabolism.
- Folic acid plays a role in amino acid and nucleotide metabolism and in mitochondrial protein synthesis.
Vitamin C for Dogs
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant. It scavenges potentially harmful free radicals in the body and can help reduce inflammation and cognitive aging. Dogs can actually synthesize vitamin C on their own in their livers, but in some cases, may offer health benefits.
Vitamin D for Dogs
Vitamin D, or the 鈥渟unshine vitamin,鈥� allows your dog鈥檚 body to balance minerals like phosphorous and calcium for healthy bone growth. Without it, your dog would not be able to develop properly or maintain healthy muscles and bones.
Vitamin E for Dogs
Vitamin E is one of your dog鈥檚 defenses against oxidative damage. This fat-soluble vitamin is also essential for cell function and fat metabolism. Deficiencies can lead to eye and muscle degeneration and reproductive problems.
Vitamin K for Dogs
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin instrumental in activating your dog鈥檚 blood鈥檚 ability to clot. Ingestion of certain rat and mouse poisons inhibits dogs鈥� ability to use vitamin K in their bodies, which can lead to hemorrhaging and death if not treated.
Choline for Dogs
Choline is a necessary component of the phospholipid cell membrane. It supports healthy brain and liver function, and it is occasionally used as part of a treatment plan for pets with epilepsy.
Do Dogs Need Vitamins or Supplements?
Your dog gets their vitamins from eating their dog food. Commercial dog food diets labeled 鈥渃omplete and balanced鈥� are specially formulated to contain all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your dog needs.
Foods catered toward different life stages, like , , and , contain different levels of certain vitamins, depending on the requirements of that life stage. This is especially important for , as these breeds can develop diseases, such as hip dysplasia, if their food contains vitamins and minerals, like calcium, that make them grow too quickly.
Dogs fed an appropriate commercial diet should not require vitamin supplements unless recommended otherwise by a veterinarian. Dogs fed a homemade diet, on the other hand, may require supplements to ensure that they are getting enough vitamins with their meals. However, , according to veterinary nutritionist Dr. Susan Wynn, DVM. Simply feeding these dogs a vitamin with dinner is not enough.
Are There Risks Associated With Dog Vitamins?
Vitamins are absolutely vital to life. It should not surprise us that something so essential could also be potentially dangerous in large quantities.
You already know that too much calcium can cause skeletal problems in large-breed puppies. You might not know that vitamins can cause problems, too.
Too much vitamin A can cause dehydration, joint pain, and can even harm your dog鈥檚 blood vessels. On top of that, there are very few studies that have tested the long-term safety of dog vitamin supplements, and some supplements contain other ingredients, like herbs, that can interact with certain medications.
You can avoid these risks by working out a nutritional plan with your veterinarian.
How to Choose a Dog Vitamin
The best way to choose a dog vitamin is to talk to your veterinarian about what, if any, vitamins and supplements your dog needs. If your dog needs vitamins, either to complement a homemade diet or because of a medical condition or deficiency, then you need to make sure that your dog gets the appropriate vitamin supplement.
Talk to your veterinarian about the appropriate vitamin dosage for your dog. Human vitamins often have different concentrations of vitamins than vitamins specifically made for dogs, and may even contain additives that are harmful to dogs. This means you should stick with a veterinary vitamin supplement or one specifically made for dogs, and you should always check the label to make sure the vitamin contains the appropriate amount of the vitamins your dog needs.
Your vet may even recommend supplementing your dog鈥檚 diet with specific fruits and vegetables, instead of vitamin supplements, according to Dr. Wynn.
Vitamins are some of the building blocks of dog health. Feeding good-quality dog food is the best way to ensure your dog is getting all of the vitamins they need, but if you have any questions about vitamin supplements, make sure to talk to your veterinarian.