Vitamin C for Dogs [The Perfect Guide 2023]

We use vitamin C for dogs because it strengthens their immune systems, combats free radicals in their bodies, protects cells from damage, and delays brain aging. Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant for dogs. Unlike humans, dogs can make Vitamin C in their livers but produce less when stressed or ill.

The best vitamin C for dogs supplement is sodium ascorbate because the body readily absorbs it over ascorbic acid. It is also non-toxic and suitable for all sizes of dogs.
Row after row of human vitamins are available at supermarkets and pharmacies. With so many options available, it makes sense to ask if dog vitamins are the best option for our pets.
However, do dogs require vitamins? Exist any hazards? Here are some solutions.

What Vitamins are They? – Vitamin C for dogs

Organic substances called vitamins are required for life to exist. The majority are present in food naturally. For growth and upkeep, animals’ bodies require vitamins.
Most of the vitamins that both human and animal bodies require are likely ones you are already familiar with:

• B-vitamins and vitamin A
• vitamins C
• Vitamin D
• Supplement E
• Supplement K
• Choline

These vitamins are also essential for dogs, but it’s crucial to understand that their requirements may differ from those of humans.

Vitamin C: What Is It?

Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for collagen synthesis, which is necessary for healthy bone formation, wound healing, and endocrine function. According to studies, vitamin C for dogs has crucial intracellular roles in reducing oxidative stress or inflammation, which can contribute to long-term health problems like cancer and allergies.

The liver of dogs may produce vitamin C from glucose. After that, it permeates many bodily tissues.
Broccoli, kale, bell peppers, papaya, Brussels sprouts, and kiwifruit are some foods with higher levels of vitamin C for dogs that are suitable for feeding. Dogs can get natural vitamin C from these whole foods, which also support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and support antioxidants.
This vitamin, which relieves allergies and pain, can also be found naturally in herbs like chickweed and comfrey.

Vitamin C’s Advantages

Antioxidants are a class of nutrients that include vitamin C and are endowed with almost magical abilities. They are crucial in preventing degenerative illnesses, boosting the immune system, fending against aging, and lessening the danger of developing cancer. Other essential antioxidants include vitamin E, carotenoids, and trace elements.

Vitamin C for dogs and other antioxidants work similarly to what a bomb disposal specialist does to stop explosives from spreading and causing severe damage. The bomb in this scenario is a substance known as free radicals. They can cause cell harm and are present in the environment.

Free radicals are the evil guys in the biological world. They have the power to kill cells and cause cancer. Free radicals do cause cell damage associated with aging. Anything that balances them out is like a superhero; vitamin C is precisely that.

If you still need convincing about the significance of vitamin C, consider that it participates in a series of events that fuel the mitochondria, which are tiny power plants found inside each cell, with energy (in the form of fat). The body would eventually reach a standstill without vitamin C, just like a car without gas.

How Much Vitamin C Dogs Need?

You thought to be aware of the significance of vitamin C for dogs by this point, and you want to ensure your dog is getting enough of it. Because healthy dogs, unlike humans, have an internal factory to create vitamin C on demand, Mother Nature has your back on this.

A dog produces roughly 18 milligrams of vitamin C daily for every pound of body weight. Therefore, a 60-lb Labrador produces about 1080 milligrams daily. The problem is that daily fresh vitamin C deliveries are necessary. It is because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that the body only stores what it needs and excretes the remainder through urination.

However, this is only a recommendation for the dosage of vitamin C. (when needed.) This vitamin is higher in dogs that need supplements because of their health. A sick dog requires more vitamin C, much as revving an engine on a racetrack uses more fuel.

Additionally, remember that the body cannot store this vitamin while giving it to a sick dog. Divide the complete dosage into three or four smaller doses dispersed throughout the day rather than administering it in a single session.

The dog has a safety valve that can urinate out extra vitamin C if you feed them too much. However, some dogs are less tolerant, and a vitamin C supplement may cause diarrhea or stomach discomfort. Reduce the amount provided if this occurs, and diarrhea should stop.

Dogs’ Vitamin C Dosage

The typical dog typically makes 18 milligrams of vitamin C per pound of body weight per day. Therefore, supplementing with around that much C per day is a prudent maintenance dosage for dogs undergoing unusual stress without any clinically relevant symptoms. (Around 500 mg per day for a 28-pound dog.) Veterinarians advise dividing the daily dosage into numerous meals to maximize absorption.

But many holistic vets regularly advise maintenance doses of three to four times that amount. They explain that because modern domestic dogs face many obstacles, including stress, pollution, chemicals and pesticides, sour foods, and other factors, their bodies require more vitamin C than the hypothetical “natural” dog.

Dogs who receive excessive vitamin C, especially in one dose, will have diarrhea. Many veterinarians advise that you raise the dose in 100–500 mg daily increments until the dog has diarrhea, then reduce his daily dose to the level from the day before because the maximum amount of C for a therapeutic dose varies from dog to dog.

Individual dogs may tolerate vitamin C supplements more or less, and their tolerance may fluctuate depending on the environment. For instance, a dog under intense stress may endure 4,000 milligrams without diarrhea, but the illness persists after the tension is gone. For proper dosing, the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s feces quality is essential.

The type of illness being treated should also be considered when determining the dose. 

Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM Schwartz advises giving vitamin C to dogs suffering from several illnesses, such as upper respiratory conditions (small dogs: 125 to 500 mg twice daily; medium dogs: 250-1,500 mg twice daily; large dogs: 500-1,500 mg twice daily); arthritis (to bowel tolerance); and infected ears (small dogs: 250-500 mg twice daily; medium dogs: 250-1,500 mg twice daily; large dogs: 500-1,500 mg twice daily).

Skin allergies, large dogs, 500–1,000 mg twice daily (small dogs, 125 mg. twice daily; medium and large dogs, up to 750 mg. twice daily).

It’s crucial to remember that a healthy, content dog with a high-quality diet and low stress usually doesn’t require a Vitamin C prescription. However, supplementing with vitamin C is a smart option if a dog’s requirement exceeds his capacity due to stress, disease, or aging.

Do Dogs Need Supplemental Vitamins?

Vitamins for your dog come from dog food. Complete and balanced commercial dog food diets are explicitly created to include all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your dog needs.

According to the needs of that life stage, foods formulated for distinct life phases, such as puppy food, adult dog food, and senior dog food, contain varying amounts of specific vitamins. It is crucial for large-breed puppy meals since these breeds are susceptible to problems like hip dysplasia if their food contains vitamins and minerals that hasten their growth, including calcium.

If dogs are fed a proper commercial diet, they shouldn’t need vitamin supplements unless their doctor explicitly advises. On the other hand, dogs given a homemade diet could need supplements to ensure they get adequate vitamins with their meals. However, veterinary nutritionist Susan Wynn, DVM, advises that these vitamins should be administered following the diet. It is insufficient only to give these dogs a vitamin with dinner.

Do Dog Vitamins Come with Any Risks?

Vitamins are a must for life. We shouldn’t be shocked that something so necessary might also be potentially harmful in excessive numbers.

You know that giant breed puppies with too much calcium might develop skeletal issues. You might be unaware that vitamins can sometimes lead to health issues.

Dehydration, joint pain, and even blood vessel damage can result from too much vitamin A in dogs. Additionally, the long-term safety of dog vitamin supplements has only been examined in a few trials, and some supplements contain additional components, like herbs, that may interfere with specific drugs.

You can reduce these hazards by developing a nutritional strategy with your veterinarian.

Does Vitamin C Benefit Dogs?

Is vitamin C harmful to dogs, as with other nutrients? No! Cats and dogs both require the essential antioxidant vitamin C.

The good news is that dogs can synthesize vitamin C on their own. However, ill dogs or those under stress can require additional assistance to produce enough to stay healthy.

Even though this vitamin occurs naturally, it is crucial to ensure your dog gets the correct quantity in its food.

Although canine and feline vitamin C deficiency are uncommon, knowing the symptoms might help you spot problems sooner. Scurvy, a severe complication of vitamin C deficiency in humans, can impede the healing of wounds.

Dogs who lack vitamin C may experience the following adverse effects:

• bleeding gums
• poor breath
• tooth decay
• Lethargy
• Limping skin blemishes

Dogs’ Side Effects

Because dogs naturally produce vitamin C, there are risks involved in giving them too much of it, primarily when supplements are used.

Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C is generally considered safe. The dog will urine it if too much vitamin C for dogs is consumed. However, taking too much can result in the development of oxalate bladder stones. If a dog has a history of bladder stones or has a low pH in the urine, pet parents should steer clear of any vitamin C supplements.

Additionally, due to the possibility of vomiting or diarrhea in dogs with sensitive GI tracts, adding extra vitamin C to their meals is not advised unless done in collaboration with a holistic or integrative veterinarian.

Conclusion

Vitamin C for dogs, called L-ascorbic acid in science, is a water-soluble nutrient with several advantages for you and your dog. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties help to build a robust immune system, which is essential for the healthy development of your dog.

Vitamin C for dogs comes in four forms: calcium ascorbate, ascorbic acid, ester-C, and sodium ascorbate. With my dog, which one should I choose? Stay with us, and we’ll continue to delve deeper into this!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I give our dogs human vitamin C?

Ans: Dogs can safely consume vitamin C, niacin, biotin, and folic acid.

Q2: Can I give my dog vitamins from people?

Ans: Giving your human dog vitamins or over-the-counter dog supplements is never a good idea. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding how much and how frequently to administer the pills, treats, or capsules are given to you.

Q3: Can I give vitamin C powder to my dog?

Ans: Veterinarian nutritionists have long held that it is not necessary to add vitamin C supplements to a dog’s diet because, unlike humans, dogs can produce vitamin C on their own.

Q4: How does a dog multivitamin work?

Ans: Dog multivitamin supplements give your dog the nutrition required to stay healthy. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that make up these nutrients