Vitamins are a part of daily life for us humans — but they can also give our pups the same health benefits.
While most commercially prepared dog foods are formulated to make up a complete and balanced diet, many dogs can benefit from incorporating vitamin and mineral supplements into their daily regimen — especially as their nutritional needs change due to age, breed, or underlying health issues.
Different vitamins support different organs and systems throughout the body. Multivitamins are particularly popular among dog owners because they contain all the vitamins essential to a dog’s health, including vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and choline.
We’ll dive into the benefits of each one of these compounds below.
Always consult a veterinarian before starting your dog on any new vitamin or supplement. They’ll be able to run the appropriate tests and determine the best supplement (if any) for your dog’s particular condition or deficiency.
While vitamins are essential to maintaining a dog’s overall health, there is a risk of overdose with certain compounds. Some supplements are formulated with herbs that can trigger adverse reactions when consumed in combination with certain medications. Alternatively, chronic toxicity can occur as the result of over-supplementation over time.
Symptoms of vitamin poisoning vary depending on the vitamin, but some common signs include:
Most famously found in carrots, Vitamin A supports strong bones, a healthy immune system, as well as growth and fetal development in the earliest stages of a dog’s life. Vitamin A also supports clear vision, and it can be found in many popular eye care supplements for dogs.
Vitamin A is considered a fat-soluble vitamin because it’s absorbed alongside the fats dogs eat, and can be stored in the liver and other fat tissues until their body needs it. This makes it harder for dogs to be deficient in these vitamins if they’re already a part of their diet. On the other hand, it also makes it easier for fat-soluble vitamins to build up to toxic levels.
Each member of the B vitamin group — also known as the vitamin B complex — plays a unique role in your dog’s health. Key compounds in this group include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B6, biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), and vitamin B12.
Fish, chicken, lamb, eggs, wheat, and rice are dog-safe sources of B vitamins. Many of the compounds in this group are crucial for converting food into glucose for energy. Vitamin B6 is especially important as it supports the nervous system, and immune responses like gene activation, brain function, red blood cell generation, and hormone regulation.
Biotin has been shown to nourish a dog’s skin and coat by supporting the production of fatty acids and preventing excess water loss.
Riboflavin, niacin, and B12 support healthy enzyme function, which in turn regulates digestion and appetite. These vitamins can be supplemented with probiotics and digestive enzymes, both of which help the body absorb nutrients from food better.
🚨If your dog suffers from dandruff or dry skin, they may be deficient in vitamin B.
Unlike other vitamins on this list, vitamin C is naturally synthesized inside a dog’s liver from raw ingredients in their food. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that removes free radicals from the body to reduce inflammation and slow down the process of cognitive aging. It’s also been shown to promote healthy teeth, bones, and iron absorption.
While most healthy dogs don’t need vitamin C supplementation, an extra boost can benefit dogs with conditions like liver disease, distemper, and hip dysplasia. Vitamin C supplements can also be good for dogs with high metabolisms, who burn through their body’s natural reserves much faster than normal.
Famous for its association with sunshine, vitamin D facilitates healthy bone growth, muscle development, and joint function by balancing minerals like phosphorus and calcium inside a dog’s body.
Vitamin D comes in two primary forms: vitamin D2, which is found in plant-based sources like fungi and yeast, and vitamin D3, which is found in animal products like beef, fish, liver, and eggs. D3 produces concentrations in the bloodstream nearly twice as high as those of vitamin D2.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that’s essential for proper puppy development, cell function, and fat metabolism. Added benefits include improved heart, brain, and immune function, as well as improved skin and coat health. Vitamin E’s effectiveness against free radicals in the body makes it especially beneficial to sick and older dogs.
Vitamin E deficiency can lead to reproductive problems, poor vision, neurological symptoms, and muscle degeneration. Most pups get sufficient vitamin E from their kibble since the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) (Trusted Source) standards require all commercially prepared dog foods to contain at least the minimum amount of vitamin E necessary for a dog’s health.
Some multivitamins and fish oil supplements like salmon oil can be used to combat vitamin E deficiency. Alternatively, dog-safe foods like eggs, salmon, spinach, and sunflower oil are great natural sources of vitamin E.
Vitamin K is essential for maintaining a dog’s blood-clotting function, a key mechanism when it comes to healing injuries and preventing excess bleeding. Studies (Trusted Source) show that vitamin K may also help prevent heart disease by reducing harmful calcium buildup in the arteries.
Dogs usually produce sufficient vitamin K with the help of their internal gut bacteria, so most won’t require dietary supplementation. Leafy greens like broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage are natural sources of plant-based vitamin K1, while ground beef, chicken, cheeses, and eggs contain healthy levels of vitamin K2.
Some rodenticides can inhibit a dog’s ability to use vitamin K properly, which can result in internal hemorrhaging and death if left untreated.
Choline is an essential building block for cell membranes, the protective sheaths around nerves, and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which regulates vital functions like heart rate, muscle contractions, and blood vessel dilation. It also assists in hormone production and fat and cholesterol metabolism inside a dog’s body.
Vets use choline’s foundational properties to reduce seizure frequency in cats and dogs suffering from epilepsy and other cognitive disorders like cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Choline has also proved effective in reducing the insulin requirements of dogs with diabetes.
Complete and balanced commercial dog food should always be a dog’s main source of necessary vitamins. Today, commercial pet food manufacturers are required by law to formulate their products with all the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals dogs need to stay healthy.
Some commercial dog foods contain different levels of key vitamins to cater to specific types of dogs. Dogs of different ages may require food specially formulated for puppies, adult dogs, or senior dogs to adequately fulfill their nutritional needs. Similarly, larger dogs require large-breed puppy foods specifically formulated to prevent the onset of conditions like hip dysplasia.
As long as your dog is eating the right dog food, they shouldn’t need any additional vitamins or supplements. Your dog may need vitamins if you’re feeding them a homemade diet, but it’s important to consult a vet on the correct type and dosage before starting them on anything. We might be able to just take a supplement with breakfast or dinner and go on with our day, but it’s not so simple for our furry best friends.
Think your dog might benefit from vitamins and supplements? Follow these steps to make sure you’re giving them the right product for their needs:
Vitamin supplements may be a waste of money and could be detrimental, in some situations. Go with a balanced diet and ask your vet if omega 3 and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements are necessary for your vet. Dogs with confirmed deficiencies (like zinc-responsive dermatoses in Nordic breeds) should receive vitamin supplements.
Dr. Erica Irish
Vitamins make life possible. This is just as true for us as it is for our pets — but that doesn’t necessarily mean our dogs need supplements to thrive. In most cases, you can keep your pooch healthy just by feeding them quality dog food tailored to their age and breed.
If you think your dog could benefit from an extra boost beyond their daily nutrition, talk to a vet. You may also find it helpful to speak to a licensed nutritionist about your dog’s dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and remember that you’re doing this to give your buddy the best quality of life possible.
No one vitamin is “better” for dogs than another, since they all offer unique health benefits. Compounds like vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and choline are all considered essential for maintaining a properly functioning body.
Vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and choline are all essential to a dog’s health. Minerals like calcium and phosphorus are considered equally important, as are fundamental nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats like linoleic acid, omega 3, and omega 6.
While some vitamins and supplements intended for humans may be harmless to your dog, it’s best to err on the side of caution and only feed them vitamins intended specifically for pets.
Daily vitamins can be extremely beneficial to some dogs, but you should never start your dog on any supplement without consulting a vet first. They’ll be able to determine the best regimen for your dog based on factors like their age, size, diet, and overall health.
If you feel like giving your dog a tasty treat every once in a while, you might try supplementing their diet with whole foods like scrambled eggs, cooked lean meats like beef or chicken, or dog-friendly fruits and veggies like blueberries, carrots, sweet potato, and leafy greens. You can also give them pet-formulated dietary supplements if they’re deficient in a particular kind of vitamin.
