The question of whether human vitamins are suitable for our beloved four-legged friends is one that has been debated for many years. As any pet parent will tell you, it is of paramount importance to ensure that our pets are in the very best of health, and that includes providing them with the appropriate vitamins and supplements to ensure their wellbeing. But are human vitamins really appropriate for our dogs? In this blog post, we’ll explore this issue in greater detail, looking at the pros and cons of using human vitamins for our canine companions. We’ll also consider the opinions of leading veterinarians, take a look at the scientific evidence, and offer some practical advice on the best way to ensure that our dogs are getting all the vitamins and minerals they need.
Human Vitamins Are Not Dog Vitamins
Human vitamins are not intended for dogs, so you shouldn’t give them to your dog unless your vet has approved a specific supplementation schedule, duration, and amount. Most dog vitamins only have about 20% of the daily requirement to prevent overdosing your dog because commercial dog foods are supposed to contain all of the essential daily requirements (although frequently commercial dog foods can fall short). Human vitamins are designed to supply all of the body’s needs each day. Your dog will consume more vitamins and supplements than the daily recommended amounts if it consumes both regular dog food and a human vitamin. Due to the high iron content in prenatal vitamins, which may result in iron toxicity, a dangerous condition for your dog, prenatal vitamins are particularly toxic for dogs. Some symptoms of iron toxicity in dogs to look out for are:
Other potentially harmful vitamins include vitamins B and D, which can cause signs of iron toxicity. The most common cause of vitamin toxicity is accidental ingestion. However, prolonged oversupplementing can be just as harmful to unaware pet owners and is regrettably frequently disregarded by pet owners when speaking with their veterinarian about the causes of their pet’s illness. Since many human vitamins are gummy and chewy and smell good, a pet might be drawn to the bottle, it’s crucial to store them safely at home. There is a greater chance that pets will be drawn to vitamins and supplements because of their appealing shape and texture as more and more products are sold that resemble candy. Always store your vitamins in a location out of the reach of your pets, and be sure to pick up any pills or gummies that may fall to the ground.
When selecting vitamin supplements for your dog, always talk to your vet first and only give your dog the supplements your vet approves. Only use the vitamins for a specific amount of time and for targeted reasons to avoid overdosing and causing more further health issues. There are an array of problems with giving dogs human vitamin supplements. One of the biggest problems is vitamin D. Dogs need vitamin D, or D3, cholecalciferol since they can’t make their own in their skin like humans can. There isn’t much research on vitamin D supplements for dogs, but we do know that not getting enough vitamin D is bad for your dog, and too much of it is even worse.
Dogs do require some vitamin D intake, but too much vitamin D is extremely toxic to them. Most multivitamins for humans contain too much vitamin D for your dog. Currently, veterinarians recommend 500IU per kilo of food. 400 IU is the lowest amount of vitamin D in a multivitamin that is currently sold for human consumption, and only in a few children’s vitamins. Because vitamin D is fat-soluble and builds up in the body, an overdose is difficult to treat and difficult to eliminate. In addition, a dog’s requirement for vitamin D is influenced by its breed, sex, age, and level of activity. For instance, a pug whose main activity is sunbathing will need more vitamin D than sick dogs in the Arctic.
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What to Do If Your Pet Accidentally Consumes a Human Vitamin
Many pets don’t consider it an emergency if they sneak up on you and take one of your vitamins that you left on the table. However, you should still take the situation seriously, says Dr. Director of the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System and associate professor of toxicology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is Lisa Murphy.
Murphy asserts that among many other things, “animals will react differently depending on their age, medical history, and weight.” But she continues, “regardless of the circumstances, the chance of a successful outcome is so much higher with a prompt phone call to the veterinarian.” ”.
Are There Risks Associated With Dog Vitamins?
Vitamins are absolutely vital to life. That something so necessary could also be potentially dangerous in large quantities shouldn’t come as a surprise to us.
You already know that large breed puppies who consume too much calcium can develop skeletal issues. You might not know that vitamins can cause problems, too.
Too much vitamin A can harm your dog’s blood vessels, cause dehydration, and cause joint pain. Additionally, the long-term safety of dog vitamin supplements has only been examined in a very small number of studies, and some supplements contain additional ingredients, like herbs, that may interact with specific medications.
Working out a nutritional plan with your veterinarian will help you avoid these risks.
FAQ
Are human vitamins toxic to dogs?
While you might believe there is little chance of your dog becoming poisoned by your multivitamins, larger doses can make them poisonous. Multivitamins frequently contain the following four potentially harmful ingredients: xylitol, vitamin D, iron, and calcium.
Is there a difference between dog vitamins and human vitamins?
Since human supplements can contain 100% of the daily requirement, she claims that “most pet multivitamins are designed to contain just a portion of the daily requirement for that species, typically around 20%.” ”.
Which human multivitamin is good for dogs?
The safest vitamins for dogs are those that are water soluble because their bodies will only store trace amounts of them. B-complex vitamins can benefit dogs in many ways, such as better heart, skin, and digestive health. Additionally safe for dogs are vitamin C, niacin, biotin, and folic acid.
Can I give my dog human b12 vitamins?
The answer to the question, “Can I give my dog human vitamins?” is, “Yes, as long as you get your veterinarian’s approval, it will be safe to do so.” However, supplements designed especially for dogs and their particular nutritional requirements might be a better choice.