One of the most common questions pet owners have is, “Can I give my dog human vitamins?”
After all, our pets are a part of our family and we want them to be as healthy and happy as possible. We also want them with us for as long as possible.
While there isn’t enough research to conclusively say whether human vitamin supplements can help a dog thrive, there is evidence that different vitamins can benefit our beloved companions.
When To Give Supplements To A Dog
Most dog foods provide only the bare minimum when it comes to basic nutritional requirements. That’s why we always recommend feeding your pet high-quality freeze-dried dog food. Even still, supplementation may be beneficial for supporting your dog’s overall health.1
Vitamin C And Dogs
Unlike humans, dogs’ bodies produce vitamin C. However, if a dog becomes ill or is stressed for long periods of time, his or her supply of this essential vitamin can quickly become depleted. Physical stress (such as digestive problems, herding, hunting, injuries, or illnesses) and emotional stress (relocation, training, weaning, etc.) can both cause a shortage of vitamin C.2
Vitamin C is critical to the health of both humans and dogs.
That’s because it acts as an antioxidant, helping protect the body against the damaging effects of oxidation. While oxidation is important to the proper functioning of the body, it can also cause problems.
For example, oxidation creates harmful molecules known as free radicals. These molecules can do a great deal of damage to cells and can also weaken the immune system. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, help support the body’s natural defense against free radical damage.3,4
How Other Vitamins May Benefit Dogs
- Now, there are several other vitamins that could help support your dog’s good health. Here’s a quick look at some of them.
- Vitamin A – This vitamin helps support motor function, skin health, vision and immune system function.5
- B-complex vitamins – The B vitamins play a very important role in the health of a dog. For example, vitamin B6 helps a dog’s body generate the glucose needed for energy. It also helps to ensure that the digestive and nervous systems function properly and that the dog’s hormones are properly regulated.6
- Vitamin D – Vitamin D is also critical because it helps to protect dogs from a wide variety of diseases. A recent study showed that many commercial dog foods don’t provide enough of this vitamin.7
- Vitamin K – This vitamin makes sure that your dog’s blood is able to clot.8,9
Never make any changes to your dog’s diet – including supplementation – without first talking to your veterinarian.
Tips On Selecting The Right Supplement
Once your veterinarian gives the OK to give your dog vitamin supplements, the next step will be to determine which one will be the best. See if your vet has recommendations and then do some research on your own.
The Bottom Line
So, if you’re asking the question, “Can I give my dog human vitamins?” the answer is “yes, as long as you get the OK from your vet, it will be safe to do so. However, there are supplements made specifically for dogs and their unique nutritional needs, which may be a better option.
Again, you’ll need to talk to your veterinarian first before giving anything to your pet.
Sources
- https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-top-ten-pet-supplements-do-they-work
- https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/1_7/features/Vitamin-C-for-Dogs_5309-1.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S8755966886800217
- http://belfield.com/pdfs/VitaminC.pdf
- http://dels.nas.edu/resources/static-assets/banr/miscellaneous/dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/vitamins-supplements/vitamins-dogs-need-healthy-lifestyle
- http://www.tuftsyourdog.com/issues/22_4/features/Your-Dog-May-Not-Be-Getting-Enough-Vitamin-D-553-1.html
- https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/Sects/Coag/test/vitamink.cfm
- https://www.vetinfo.com/side-effects-dog-health-supplements.html
One of the most common questions pet owners have is, “Can I give my dog human vitamins?”
After all, our pets are a part of our family and we want them to be as healthy and happy as possible. We also want them with us for as long as possible.
While there isn’t enough research to conclusively say whether human vitamin supplements can help a dog thrive, there is evidence that different vitamins can benefit our beloved companions.
When To Give Supplements To A Dog
Most dog foods provide only the bare minimum when it comes to basic nutritional requirements. That’s why we always recommend feeding your pet high-quality freeze-dried dog food. Even still, supplementation may be beneficial for supporting your dog’s overall health.1
Vitamin C And Dogs
Unlike humans, dogs’ bodies produce vitamin C. However, if a dog becomes ill or is stressed for long periods of time, his or her supply of this essential vitamin can quickly become depleted. Physical stress (such as digestive problems, herding, hunting, injuries, or illnesses) and emotional stress (relocation, training, weaning, etc.) can both cause a shortage of vitamin C.2
Vitamin C is critical to the health of both humans and dogs.
That’s because it acts as an antioxidant, helping protect the body against the damaging effects of oxidation. While oxidation is important to the proper functioning of the body, it can also cause problems.
For example, oxidation creates harmful molecules known as free radicals. These molecules can do a great deal of damage to cells and can also weaken the immune system. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, help support the body’s natural defense against free radical damage.3,4
How Other Vitamins May Benefit Dogs
- Now, there are several other vitamins that could help support your dog’s good health. Here’s a quick look at some of them.
- Vitamin A – This vitamin helps support motor function, skin health, vision and immune system function.5
- B-complex vitamins – The B vitamins play a very important role in the health of a dog. For example, vitamin B6 helps a dog’s body generate the glucose needed for energy. It also helps to ensure that the digestive and nervous systems function properly and that the dog’s hormones are properly regulated.6
- Vitamin D – Vitamin D is also critical because it helps to protect dogs from a wide variety of diseases. A recent study showed that many commercial dog foods don’t provide enough of this vitamin.7
- Vitamin K – This vitamin makes sure that your dog’s blood is able to clot.8,9
Never make any changes to your dog’s diet – including supplementation – without first talking to your veterinarian.
Tips On Selecting The Right Supplement
Once your veterinarian gives the OK to give your dog vitamin supplements, the next step will be to determine which one will be the best. See if your vet has recommendations and then do some research on your own.
The Bottom Line
So, if you’re asking the question, “Can I give my dog human vitamins?” the answer is “yes, as long as you get the OK from your vet, it will be safe to do so. However, there are supplements made specifically for dogs and their unique nutritional needs, which may be a better option.
Again, you’ll need to talk to your veterinarian first before giving anything to your pet.
Sources
- https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-top-ten-pet-supplements-do-they-work
- https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/1_7/features/Vitamin-C-for-Dogs_5309-1.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S8755966886800217
- http://belfield.com/pdfs/VitaminC.pdf
- http://dels.nas.edu/resources/static-assets/banr/miscellaneous/dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/vitamins-supplements/vitamins-dogs-need-healthy-lifestyle
- http://www.tuftsyourdog.com/issues/22_4/features/Your-Dog-May-Not-Be-Getting-Enough-Vitamin-D-553-1.html
- https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/Sects/Coag/test/vitamink.cfm
- https://www.vetinfo.com/side-effects-dog-health-supplements.html
