Dog owners frequently go to great lengths to maintain the wellbeing of their furry friends.
To keep Fido in top condition, engage him in daily exercise, give him regular baths and grooming, take him to the veterinarian, and feed him premium dog food. But many question whether adding a daily multivitamin to the mix is safe or advised. Humans take them, so why shouldn’t dogs — right?.
Depending on your dog’s age, size, diet, and general health, it might be best to start them on a daily supplement. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages is crucial before deciding whether a dog multivitamin is the right choice for your dog.
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.” ”.
Can I Give My Dog a Multivitamin?
Although your vet should always be your guide when it comes to your dog’s health, multivitamins are generally safe for dogs — especially if you choose the right one.
Multivitamins are nutritional supplements that support a healthy, sustainable lifestyle by containing vitamins, minerals, and other nutrient-dense ingredients. Like humans, dogs need a variety of vitamins and minerals, but they don’t always get the recommended amounts from food alone.
When deciding whether to give your dog a multivitamin, there are a few things to think about:
Age & Size
The right multivitamin should take your dog’s age, weight, and size into account (which may change over time).
Different amounts of vitamins and nutrients are needed at different stages of life. What works for a puppy may not be appropriate for an older dog, and vice versa. For instance, while a 1-year-old Yorkie wouldn’t need it, a 9-year-old golden retriever might benefit from a multivitamin that relieves joint pain.
Be careful not to jump to conclusions about your pup’s needs based on age and size alone. Too much of one mineral could have an adverse effect on your dog. For example, calcium consumed in excess can present skeletal problems for larger breeds. It’s important to consult your vet so they can help you navigate that decision safely.
Diet
Diet greatly influences whether or not multivitamins will be helpful for your dog.
Some dog food brands are specifically formulated to include all necessary nutrients, and will often label their products as “complete and balanced.” If it’s properly designed to provide the necessary nutrients, you might not need a multivitamin. Like we mentioned above, it could even be detrimental if your pooch gets too much of a certain vitamin. For instance, too much Vitamin A can result in blood vessel damage, joint pain, and dehydration.
Work with your veterinarian to learn the truth about the ingredients in your dog’s food. When the minerals in food products are synthetic, they may not be properly absorbed by your dog, despite claims to the contrary.
Furthermore, dog owners who feed their pets homemade meals are probably omitting important nutrients required for long-term, sustainable health. A multivitamin might be a fantastic way to complete their diet and provide them with the necessary amount of vitamins.
If your dog’s diet has recently changed, your veterinarian might also suggest that he or she take a multivitamin. A multivitamin may be required, for instance, if your veterinarian has put your dog on a new diet to lose weight in order to make up for any nutrients that were lost.
Health Factors
Due to a condition or a deficiency, some dogs need additional supplements.
If your dog has immune system problems, joint pain, or digestive problems, your veterinarian may advise adding a multivitamin to the diet.
Before giving Fido anything other than his regular diet, it’s crucial to speak with your veterinarian.
FAQ
What human vitamins can dogs take?
Vitamins that are safe for dogs include vitamin C, niacin, biotin, and folic acid. Dogs benefit from omega 3 fatty acids, particularly those found in fish oil. However, a dog might find the gel caps intended for humans a bit difficult to swallow.
Will one multivitamin hurt a dog?
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%.” ”.
What happens if a dog eats human vitamins?
The relatively severe symptoms of vitamin poisoning can include muscle tremors and seizures (as seen with vitamin D), abdominal swelling and shock (as seen with iron toxicity), poor hair coat and paralysis (rarely seen but due to vitamin A), and convulsions coupled with sleepiness (evident with vitamin B).