There isnt 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. The lowest amount of vitamin D in a multivitamin commonly available for humans is 400IU in a very few childrens vitamins.
But the gel caps made for humans can be a bit much for a dog to swallow.
Human vitamins for dogs. Heres a quick look at some of them. Vitamin A This vitamin helps support motor function skin health vision and immune system function. B-complex vitamins The B vitamins play a very important role in the health of a dog.
For example vitamin B6 helps a dogs body generate the glucose needed for energy. Humans get vitamin D3 from the sun. However dogs and cats cannot absorb it through their skin like we do.
Ever wonder why your dog or cat likes to lay in the sun. Its how they get D3. When they lay in the sun and groom themselves they ingest vitamin D3.
Never give your dog vitamin D supplement unless your veterinarian recommends it. Vitamin C niacin biotin and folic acid are also safe for dogs. Omega 3 fatty acids namely fish oil are also beneficial for dogs.
But the gel caps made for humans can be a bit much for a dog to swallow. You can however cut off the tip of a capsule and add the fish oil to your dogs usual bowl of food. Certain human vitamins are not OK for dogs.
Although they are physically very different beings from humans dogs are mammals and share some nutritional needs with us. Like humans dogs benefit from water-soluble vitamins on a daily basis and certain B vitamins such as folate. Vitamin C for Dogs.
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant. It scavenges potentially harmful free radicals in the body and can help reduce inflammation and cognitive aging. What Does Your Dog Need.
Of course your dog needs vitamins. But how much is too much. The thing with vitamins is that they work to keep your body and your dogs body safe from various toxins.
They also work to build muscle make foods easy to digest and ensure a healthy coat. But not all vitamins do the same thing. 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 cant make their own in their skin like humans can. There isnt 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.
Although dogs require vitamin D too much vitamin D is toxic for dogs and most human multivitamins have too much. The current recommendation for dogs is 500IU per kilo of food. The lowest amount of vitamin D in a multivitamin commonly available for humans is 400IU in a very few childrens vitamins.
Vitamin D is fat soluble. Vitamins That Are Toxic to Pets. Murphy says one of the most serious situations involves prenatal vitamins which are high in iron and can cause iron toxicity in pets.
If your dog or cat happens to knock over a bottle of prenatal vitamins and swallows a bunch before you can intervene you need to call your vet immediately. Both humans and dogs benefit from taking glucosamine for joint problems. Therefore you could ask your Vet to recommend the safe dosage of human glucosamine for dogs and share your glucosamine bottle with your pooch.
Using human glucosamine supplements for dogs with joint problems may be better than using no supplement. Human vitamins work so well for us because they are specifically geared toward a grown persons body structure. Not even the biggest dog breeds are not the size of the average human.
By giving your pooch a human vitamin youre giving him too much of a good thing. The types of human vitamins that may be safe for dogs to eat include Omega 3 fatty acids and Water-soluble vitamins. However as mentioned above it is important to check first with your vet to make sure the particular vitamin you want to feed to your dog is safe for them to take.
Some common water-soluble vitamins include. Vitamin C is vital to human survival but it has a surprising effect on dogs. Yes it boosts the immune system but it can also act as a calming agent.
According to certain studies done when a dog is stressed it runs through a large amount of vitamin C. Stocking your pet up on berries could help rebuild these stores. In both humans and dogs vitamin D supports multiple aspects of good health.
But for dogs high levels of this vitamin can be toxic. Depending on how much a dog is exposed to and for how long vitamin D poisoning can cause a variety of symptoms. Another common culprit for dog vitamin overdose is vitamin A.
Vitamin A toxicity is common in dogs because it is contained in a common human vitamin supplement namely fish oil capsules. While fish oil capsules are great for humans there is a common misconception that it will also improve the lustre and look of a dogs hair. B-complex vitamins can offer dogs a variety of benefits including improved heart skin and digestive health.
Vitamin C niacin biotin and folic acid are also safe for dogs. Omega 3 fatty acids namely fish oil are also beneficial for dogs. But the gel caps made for humans can be a bit much for a dog to swallow.
Waggedys advanced formula contains vitamins minerals and nutrients to promote your dogs long-term health including Calcium Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium Iron Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin B and more. Some forms of fat-soluble Vitamins A D E and K on the other hand may even be toxic for dogs in the long run since their body cannot. Are human supplements totally safe for dogs as alternatives.
Human supplements containing zinc and iron especially should NOT be given to dogs. Just in case you let the dog take something with zinc and iron immediate veterinary assistance is required. It is to prevent the dog from suffering permanent damage inside its body.