Your guide to vitamins and supplements for dogs

If you’ve thought about giving your dog extra vitamins, you’ll know the pet supplement market is huge and can feel overwhelming. Read on to learn all about vitamins, food supplements and what your dog really needs.

Which vitamins are important for dogs?

• Vitamin A is essential for good vision

• Vitamins C and E have antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation and boost the immune system

• Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, strengthening your dog’s bones and teeth

• Vitamin K is crucial in blood clotting

• B vitamins are linked to skin health, nerve signal transmission within the nervous system and energy metabolism

• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) has multiple functions and is often depleted in dogs with small intestinal disease

Do dogs need other micronutrients?

Yes, there are other crucial micronutrients we shouldn’t forget in our dogs’ diets. For example, calcium and magnesium are both key components in a strong skeletal system.

Minerals such as calcium are particularly important in pregnant dogs, as they help support puppy growth in the uterus and milk production after birth. In most cases, your dog’s calcium levels can be met by feeding them a complete puppy diet from week six of their pregnancy and while they’re lactating. If your pet is pregnant or has recently given birth, make sure to check with your vet for further information.

Should I give my dog vitamin supplements?

While all the vitamins and nutrients we’ve mentioned above are essential, you shouldn’t need to add them to your dog’s diet as good-quality dog food will provide everything a healthy dog needs. Commercially prepared raw foods should also meet your dog’s nutritional requirements. However, some producers do not include synthetic vitamins or minerals, which can mean they do not always adhere to the FEDIAF guidelines for a complete food[1]. If you’re concerned about the vitamin content of the raw food you’ve chosen, it’s always advisable to speak to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Similarily, home-cooked diets can sometimes be dangerously low in certain nutrients and vitamins, leading to poor growth, a weak immune system, obesity and illness. Once again, if you prepare your dog’s food from scratch, seek the advice of a certified veterinary nutritionist as they may recommend specific vitamin and mineral blends to add to your dog’s food.

Many dog owners look for natural sources of vitamins, such as liver, as a way to make sure their dog gets vitamins A, B, D and E. However, it’s important to remember that even natural sources of vitamins can cause toxicity if fed in large quantities, so always seek your vet’s advice before giving your dog supplements – natural or not!

See more about natural vs. synthetic vitamins below.

Giving supplements to unwell dogs

Dogs suffering from specific health conditions may need to be treated or supplemented with vitamin or mineral supplements. For example, rodenticide toxicity is common in dogs, and vitamin K treatment is a recognised antidote to prevent dangerous internal bleeding[2]. Additionally, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is often given to dogs with intestinal and pancreatic disease[3], and calcium derivatives and vitamin D can also be used in dogs with parathyroid disease[4].

In all cases, these specific vitamin products (and general multivitamins) should only be given to your unwell dog if advised by your vet.

Are there any other daily supplements I should give my dog?

An increasing body of research has demonstrated the benefits of probiotics and their effect on a dog’s microbiome. Evidence suggests that probiotics can improve their gut and skin health, reduce anxiety and bolster their immune system.

There is also scientific data to support the use of omega-3 fatty acids for arthritic joint pain[5,6].

How do I know my dog is getting the vitamins they need?

Buying food suitable for your dog’s life stage, breed and size is the first step to great nutrition. Reading pet food labels will also help you understand what different foods contain and their suitability for your pup[7]. It’s incredibly challenging to meet all your dog’s complex nutritional requirements with home-cooked diets, and, as explained above, these should be avoided unless you have help from a qualified veterinary nutritionist. If you’re worried your dog may be deficient in vitamins and minerals, signs to look out for include:

• Dull coat

• Hair loss

• Skin disease

• Weak bones with a risk of fractures

• Joint and muscle pain

• An increased susceptibility to illness

Are natural or synthetic vitamins best?

‘Bioavailability’ describes how a vitamin is absorbed into the body, and whether it can be processed and used for bodily functions. The bioavailability of vitamins is dependent on what form they come in – if they are found naturally in food or manufactured in various molecular shapes – and also differs between species.

Several studies suggest that vitamin levels can be effectively increased in humans by eating naturally occurring vitamins or taking synthetic supplements[8,9]. However, there isn’t as much research for dogs, and bioavailability appears more variable. As such, many vets and owners choose to focus on naturally available vitamin sources in their dog’s diet instead.

Synthetic or ‘man-made’ products often get bad press, but it’s important to remember that most life-saving medications are synthesised. Similarly, ‘natural’ doesn’t always mean healthy – for example, garlic is a popular herbal remedy in humans and other species, but is toxic to dogs and in high enough doses can cause severe anaemia.

So, what’s the verdict on vitamins and supplements for dogs?

The key message is that if you feed your dog good-quality food, adding extra supplements to their diet – other than probiotics and omega-3 – shouldn’t be necessary. However, choosing the right good-quality supplements if and when needed can help support your dog’s overall health and wellbeing.

When choosing a diet or supplement, look for food manufacturers who:

• Invest in research and development

• Publish their feeding trial results

• Have strict quality control

• Provide a clear nutritional breakdown of their products

If you do this, you and your dog are on the road to nutritional success!

FAQs

Do dogs need supplements with a kibble diet?

If you feed your dog a good-quality complete dry dog food, additional vitamins and minerals aren’t usually needed (with the exception of probiotics and omega-3 supplements). Although many raw feeding advocates are often opposed to kibble-based diets, there’s no strong evidence that kibble diets are unsuitable for long-term feeding in most dogs.

Are vitamin supplements harmful to dogs?

Inappropriate use of vitamin and mineral supplements can be harmful to dogs. Usually, issues develop when supplements are given unnecessarily to young dogs, given over a long period of time, or when a dog scavenges and eats lots in one sitting. For example, vitamin D toxicity can cause high blood calcium levels and lead to sickness, extreme thirst and kidney damage.