Can dogs get Vitamin D deficiency from not enough sun?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is really no need to do that. If she is being fed a high quality diet, all these vitamins are part of it and do not need to be supplemented. You can consider a multivitamin which would never hurt though in most cases it is not necessary. Good luck and have a great day!

As long as your dogs are getting a high quality dog food, you do not need to give them any vitamins. Their food will provide all the vitamins they need. You can give them glucosamine, which is a dietary supplement that helps with joint health. Typically it's given as 20 mg/lb of body weight, and you can find canine glucosamine tablets at the pet store. One of the most important things to do is have yearly vet health checks for them to make sure everything is ok. Be sure to keep up to date with their vaccines, flea treatment, deworming treatments, and heartworm treatments. Also have regular dental cleanings done with the vet. Just like humans, dogs need their teeth cleaned, and severe dental disease can lead to other problems such as liver abscesses and endocarditis from bacteria traveling from the mouth via the bloodstream. I hope this helps!

Good morning Ms Yeung! I would not give this supplement to Mochu if it contains D3. Too much vitamin D can be toxic to dogs, as it causes hypercalcemia (increased blood calcium) which can lead to kidney failure, haemorrhage, and tissue mineralization in the heart, liver and kidneys. She will be getting all the vitamin D she needs from her food, and too much will not be good for her. It's fine to give her Omega 3 supplements, but make sure they don't contain extra vitamin D. With the omega fatty acids, she can have 1,000 mg fish oil containing 300 mg of EPA/DHA combined for every 30 pounds of body weight. I hope this helps :-)

Just like in humans, sunlight is really good for dogs overall health and well-being. You need to watch for signs of sunburn in light/thin coated dogs, and in your temperature you need to watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, but the sun is excellent for you and your pup!

This is a very good question! It is always wise to be proactive about our pet's health. If you ever have concerns about how your dog is doing then a call and visit to your vet can help to set your mind at ease. Things to watch for that would indicate health problems include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite and energy level, unusual behaviors and limping. Discuss food recommendations with your regular veterinarian. Brands such as Purina, Hills and Royal Canin all have veterinarians on-staff to ensure their food is top quality and nutritionally balanced. If you are feeding a good balanced diet then supplements of vitamins and minerals are not necessary.

It isn't recommended to give a multivitamin to a dog when they are already on a completed and balanced diet. Your dog will be getting all the nutrients they need to be healthy (keep in mind you feed twice a day, so there is a continuous supply of vitamins and minerals), and too many can have toxic effects. I wouldn't give your dog a multivitamin unless specifically prescribed by a vet due to a nutritional deficiency.

Truth be told, no pet needs multivitamins if they are on a high quality dog food. Because unlike people, pets eat a well balanced diet day in and day out; therefore supplementation without any underlying deficiency present, will lead to over-supplementation and possible negative effects. I would refrain from giving your pet any vitamins or vitamin b complex unless he has a detected iron deficiency anemia or other known deficiency that has been verified by your veterinarian. Also just to add, most true supplements don't contain any harmful chemicals. I hope that your pet Baloo does well moving forward. Best wishes and take care!