Many dog vitamins on the market contain vitamin C, and sometimes the combination of vitamin C and D. Vitamin C is in fact naturally produced by the canine’s liver by using trace minerals found in their regular pet food. If your regular dog diet doesn’t contain enough trace Vitamin C the consideration of a supplements for dogs is natural. Vitamin D on the other hand is obtained through pet food products containing dairy, fish liver oil (also rich in Vitamin A and Omega 3’s) and sunshine! Natural sunshine is the most potent means of delivering this essential vitamin to dogs, and people too.
Why this theme of Vitamin D and C in dogs’ supplements? Your daily dog diet may not contain this essential duo; talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s diet to see if supplementation might be necessary. Vitamin D deficiency in dogs, namely puppies, can lead to rickets, or a softening of the developing bones (sometimes deforming) as well as poorly developed teeth. Many times a new pet owner will be advised to feed their puppy supplements of these two vitamins so as to prevent these unfortunate pet health problems. There are dangers to ’self-prescribing’ your dog vitamins or supplements though, many more serious than the health issues that you may be striving to avoid or abate.
Again, first priority of dog or puppy ownership is to develop a relationship with a trusted veterinarian. Having this outlet is important to intimately discuss your pet’s history, and specific species-needs, and how their diet is related. This aside, making certain that your dog has enough Vitamin C and D, from puppies to adult dogs, will ensure that their bodies can produce enough collagen, the substance responsible for maintaining tendon and ligament health.
There are many, many studies available citing the dangers of Vitamin C supplements for dogs, for instance, that can sometimes result in death. If not properly formulated or administered in proper dosages, Vitamin C can significantly shorten a dog’s life span due to the health problems that are incurred. It is essential for you as the steward of your dog’s health to be careful of their diet, and to especially review any diet changes with your veterinarian.
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