Is Vitamin C Toxic To Animals
It is obtained naturally by dogs. Some veterinarians believe that because vitamin C is water-soluble, it is unlikely to cause overdoses in dogs however, because vitamin C supplements are potentially harmful to dogs if taken improperly, dogs should not be given them.
The Dangers Of Vitamin C Overdose In Dogs
A dogs vitamin C levels are important for its health. It is possible, however, to become ill as a result of an excessive intake of vitamin C. When vitamin C levels are high, urine becomes more acidic. The buildup of oxalate bladder stones may occur. It may result in serious consequences and necessitate emergency surgery. Owners are advised to be aware of the possibility and take necessary precautions to avoid it.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Vitamin C Pills
If a dog eats vitamin c pills, they may experience gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea. If a large amount is ingested, it could lead to more serious problems, such as liver damage.
Adults should consume up to 65 milligrams of vitamin C per day, with a maximum of 2,000 mg per day. Because vitamin C has a water solubility that allows it to be ingested by dogs, even if the dog does not consume it, the vitamin C content is not harmful however, oxalate is absorbed into the dogs urine as a result of its water solubility. If taken in small doses, it can cause vitamin D poisoning in dogs as little as 0.1 mg/kg. When your dog consumes vitamin A in excess, he may become dehydrated, joint pain may occur, and his blood vessels may become inflamed. There is nothing wrong with eating their own feces, but consuming poop from other animals may harm their health.
Dogs, as well as other animals, may suffer from a vitamin D deficiency if they are not exposed to sunlight. Because of the rapid release of insulin caused by xylitol or xylitol-containing products, they can quickly result in vitamin deficiencies. If left untreated, it can lead to a variety of issues, including seizures. It is critical that you and your dog are aware of xylitols dangers and that you take steps to ensure that your pet receives the proper amount of vitamin D.
The Benefits Of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a ‘can do’ nutrient which helps the body run more smoothly. For example, it strengthens the immune system by:
- Increasing the activity of the white cells that fight infection
- Stimulating higher levels of antibodies that defend the body
- Increasing the amount of natural interferon in the bloodstream
- Improving the ability of platelets to clot blood
No one disputes the benefits of vitamin C, but why bother with a supplement?
Holistic vets argue that when the body is stressed, sick, or worn out it gobbles up its vitamin C stores as part of the repair process. This runs down the body’s reserves of vitamin C, and boosting levels is beneficial
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Vitamin C Metabolism In Pets
The normal metabolic breakdown of the amino acid glycine and ascorbic acid results in urinary oxalate. Dietary oxalic acid from diets high in vegetables and legumes also contributes to urinary oxalate. For most pets this is not a problem. However, in breeds like the Miniature Schnauzer and in many cats, this urinary oxalate in a mildly acidic urine results in the formation of calcium oxalate crystals or stones. In fact, calcium oxalate crystals and stones have surpassed the other major stone type, struvite, as the most common urinary stone problem.Many attribute the change to the popularity of readily available commercial pet diets that became available to manage struvite disease and that contain ingredients that acidify urine. This has not been proven and bladder stone formation is so multifactorial that focus on crystal type and urine pH only fails to address the complexity of the problem. This is why so many pet owners and veterinarians are often disappointed by the failure of specific diets to eliminate the problem. I have lost count of the number of pets from which I have surgically removed stones that were on diets, supplements, or other therapies designed to prevent the stone formation of the type I removed. But I digress.
How Much Vitamin C Should I Give To My Dog
According to the Whole Dog Journal, the average dog produces 18 milligrams of vitamin C per pound of body weight per day. So, the amount of vitamin C produced by a dogs body and how much they need daily varies from one dog to another. Underlying diseases and age also play a role in the equation. If youre interested in going down this route, you can talk to your veterinarian and ask for their professional opinion. Theyre best equipped to help you find the right form of vitamin C and calculate the best dosage for your dog.
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Vitamin C: Should You Supplement Your Dog
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People must eat foods rich in vitamin C rich in order to stay healthy. Not so our dogs.
Unlike people, dogs aren’t dependent on vitamin C being supplied in food. Instead, our furry friends have a metabolism that makes their own vitamin C, when given the raw ingredients. This means dogs don’t get human deficiency diseases such as scurvy and it’s also why pet food manufacturers rarely added vitamin C to their recipes .
But, holistic veterinarians regularly encourage pet parents to supplement their dog’s diet with this essential nutrient. How can the supplementation of a nutrient a dog’s body makes on their own be of benefit to your best buddy? Let’s take a look at the whys, wherefores, and potential pitfalls of vitamin C supplements.
The Best Vitamin C For Dogs
Vitamin C occurs in different forms as soluble salts. If you give the wrong type, he will end up developing pet diarrhea instead of ripping the benefits of the mineral.
The right kind of vitamin C for dogs exists in two types of salts calcium ascorbate and sodium ascorbate.
Bullyade is packed with Vitamin C for your dog.
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What Is The Appropriate Vitamin C Dosage For Your Dog
Vitamin C supplementation can help reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis, which is one of the most common conditions that will eventually require treatment by your veterinarian.
According to the University of Mississippis College of Veterinary Medicine, vitamin dosage for dogs is 0.3 mg/lb per day for optimal health and healing rates. Vitamin C supplementation is especially important if:
- Your dog is older than six years, has a poor diet or low-quality food, or is in a stressful lifestyle
- Your pup has any type of illness and / or compromised gastrointestinal system
- Your pet lives in a multi-dog household and / or has been exposed to other dogs and / or kennels with unknown health conditions.
How Vitamin C Affects Dogs
Wendell O. Belfield, DVM, is perhaps the worlds best-known and most ardent advocate of vitamin C supplementation for dogs. In his book, How to Have a Healthier Dog, Belfield describes how he first came to experiment with the power of vitamin C in his veterinary practice.
Following a particularly heartbreaking episode, where he was unable to save the life of a beloved family dog that had distemper, he began researching viral diseases. In the course of his studies, he came across an article about a doctor who used massive doses of vitamin C to successfully treat viral diseases such as polio and hepatitis in the 1940s. Belfield began wondering whether C could be used to combat canine viral diseases.
One day in 1965, another client came to Belfields office with a dog that was suffering from distemper. Belfield decided to try an injection of vitamin C on the dog, and it responded dramatically, surviving what he had been taught in veterinary school was a fatal disease for which there is no successful treatments.
Following this success, Belfield began experimenting with vitamin C treatments for all kinds of conditions in dogs. His trials and studies have convinced him of the tremendous power that the vitamin holds for dogs.
According to the Encylcopedia of Nutritional Supplements, by Michael T. Murray , vitamin C improves immune function by enhancing white blood cell function and activity. It also increases the blood levels of interferon and antibodies .
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When Do Dogs Need More Vitamin C
Dogs can benefit from supplementary dog vitamin C when they dont get enough from their regular diet.They might eat low-quality store-bought dog food, or they might eat an unbalanced homemade diet. Your dog can benefit from dog vitamin C supplements even when they eat dog food labeled as complete and balanced. Dogs can benefit from vitamin C supplements particularly when they are sick, stressed, overworked, hyperactive, pregnant, lactating, or elderly. These dogs can quickly deplete the amount of vitamin C that their bodies produce naturally.
How Much Vitamin C Can You Give Your Dog
Since vitamin C is water soluble, you cannot actually overdose a dog with vitamin C because excessive amount is excreted through the kidney.
However, too much vitamin C will cause diarrhea in dogs, especially if given in one dose.
How much vitamin C to give depends on the individual dog’s lifestyle and health condition, as well as the dog’s tolerance level of vitamin C .
In her book “Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs”, Cheryl Schwartz, DVM, suggests the following dosages for health maintenance:
- Puppies and Small Dogs: 250 mg daily
- Medium-sized Dogs: 500 mg daily
- Large Dogs: 750 mg daily
- Senior Dogs: 500-1,000 mg daily per 40-50 pounds of body weight
For specific health problems, she suggests:
If your dog develops diarrhea, adjust down the dosage until the stools are firm again.
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Dog Vitamin Overdose Symptoms
If your dog ingests too many vitamins, they may suffer from vitamin toxicity. The most common symptoms of vitamin toxicity in dogs are vomiting and diarrhea. If your dog is displaying these symptoms, take them to the vet immediately. Other symptoms of vitamin toxicity include lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss. In severe cases, vitamin toxicity can lead to organ failure and death.
Many pets become vitamin A poisoned if they are fed raw liver, cod liver oil, or other supplements containing vitamin A for several weeks or months. When a dog consumes a large dose of vitamin A, it may experience rapid vomiting, drowsiness, irritability, and skin peeling. Chronic oversupplementation is typically treated by discontinuing raw liver, cod liver oil, or vitamin A supplements because the raw liver, cod liver oil, or vitamin A supplements are ineffective. Vitamin A can accumulate in the liver over time, and it may be elevated. Following the correction of the diet, vitamin A levels should return to normal within a few weeks.
What Is Vitamin Cs Role In Your Dogs Health
Wendell O. Belfield, DVM, one of the most well-known and zealous proponents of vitamin C supplementation for dogs, discusses how he initially began to explore with the impact of vitamin C in his veterinary practice in his book, How to Have a Healthier Dog.
Following a particularly painful incident in which he was unable to save the life of a beloved family dog suffering from distemper, he began investigating viral infections. During his study, he came across an article about a doctor in the 1940s who utilized huge dosages of vitamin C to effectively cure viral infections such as polio and hepatitis. Belfield began to wonder if C might be utilized to treat canine viral infections.
Another client arrived at Belfields office one day in 1965 with a distemper-infected dog. Belfield decided to give the dog a vitamin C shot. It reacted drastically, surviving what he had been taught in veterinary school was a terminal condition with no effective remedies.
Following this accomplishment, Belfield continued experimenting with vitamin C therapies for a variety of canine ailments. His experiences and investigations have persuaded him of the vitamins amazing potency for dogs.
In his Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, Michael T. Murray argues that vitamin C improves immune function by enhancing white blood cell function and activity. It also increases interferon. That is the bodys inherent antiviral and anticancer substance.
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Vitamin C And Calcium Oxalate Stones
Cats and dogs are capable of meeting their nutritional needs for Vitamin C through the metabolism of the glucose in their diet or that produced by the liver. However, there is research that suggests the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C supplementation can benefit the management of medical conditions associated with free radical formation from oxygen metabolism that can damage normal cells.Cancer and cancer therapy, dementia, heart disease, and asthma are some examples of conditions that involve oxidative damage. Typically this supplementation poses no major adverse side effects. This may not be true for pets with a predisposition for urinary calcium oxalate crystals and stones, however.
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When To Add A Vitamin C Supplement To Your Pets Diet
Because dogs and cats are able to generate their own vitamin C, food manufacturers usually dont bother to add it into the ingredients. Still, vets often recommend that pet parents supplement their pet’s food with vitamin C.
That begs the question, “If dogs and cats synthesize their own vitamin C, why should it be added as a supplement to their diets?”
The answer is simple: When animals are stressed, sick, or otherwise worn down, vitamin C levels are used up faster as part of the repair process. This runs down the bodys reserves of vitamin C, and thats when vets often recommend replenishing vitamin C reserves with a supplement.
Vitamin C supplementation is an incredible way to help your pet’s organs function correctly, fight off common illnesses and diseases, and improve bone and joint health.
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With no added sugars, flavors, fillers, known allergens or preservatives, we only include the essentials.
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Good For Pet Infections
If your furry friend gets frequent ear infections about 125mg a day for littler dogs and 1000mg daily for large dogs.
If your pooch suffers from respiratory problems. Vets recommend at most 500mg of vitamin C for small dogs and 1000mg for large dogs administered twice in the cause of the day.
In addition, those Skin allergies will do with 125mg to 1000mg. The same dosage is recommended for K9s suffering from bladder and urinary tract infections.
Vitamin C for dogs is good for a strong immune system. If you can get him the right amount of the vitamin each day, it will not only improve his ability to fight ailments but also recover from them faster.
If you are feeding your best friend good food, many times they will get all the supplements they need to be healthy. But not all foods have the right kind or very little at all.
be sure to check on the dog food you give your pup.
If you are feeding raw dog food you can always sprinkle some Bullyade right on the food and will act as a holistic additive to their health.
We are only human and we do really care about our dogs and things like cancer do happen but by giving the right combinations, good treats, and watching our pets lifestyle we can reap the rewards of watching them live a long life.
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Do Dogs Need Vitamin C In Their Diet
Unlike humans who require vitamin C to sustain life, dogs possess the natural ability to make their own.1
Without vitamin C humans get a disease called scurvy and die.
Yet dogs do just fine without it.
However, there have been some reports claiming that vitamin C could help in the treatment of bladder infections.
Or even hip dysplasia.
Which is certainly possible, especially for those dogs who have been confirmed by lab testing to be deficient in vitamin C.
In any case
Theres no need to worry if you dont find vitamin C or any of the fruits or vegetables that naturally contain it on your dog foods ingredient list.
Your healthy dog can take care of that missing nutrient all by herself.
