Vitamin D is great for dogs and cats too

---

50 IU of Vitamin D per pound of dog (helps blood in this study) - May 2024

A study on the effects of vitamin D supplementation on hematological parameters and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D in healthy dogs
BMC Vet Res . 2024 May 24;20(1):221. doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04080-1.
Reza Gholipour Shahraki 1, Tahoora Shomali 2, Mahnaz Taherianfard 1, Nooshin Derakhshandeh 3, Saeed Nazifi 3, Ebrahim Abhaji 3

Background: Limited studies are available on vitamin D supplementation in dogs. This study evaluates the effect of a commercial vitamin D3 supplement on serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D as well as selected biochemical and hematological parameters in healthy dogs. Eight intact male adult dogs with a mean body weight of 20 kg from mixed breeds were included in the study. After adaptation period, dogs received vitamin D3 supplement at the dose of 50 IU/kg body weight per day. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 of supplementation. Food was used for analysis of vitamin D3 content.

Results: Significant increase in serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 was detected since day 14 of supplementation.
Changes in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 concentration during time showed an upward significance (p < 0.05).
Vitamin D3 content of the food was 2900 IU/kg dry matter.
Changes in serum phosphorus levels were upward significant.
No dog showed calcium or phosphorus levels above the highest reference level.
Liver and kidney parameters remained in the reference range during the experiment.
A gradual significant increase was observed in hemoglobin and hematocrit which was started from day 14. Vitamin D3 supplementation had no significant effect on neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes percent during the study.

Conclusions: Vitamin D3 supplementation at 50 IU/kg BW daily, increases serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in healthy dogs fed with a diet containing proper amount of this vitamin. It also increases hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in a time dependent manner without inducing adverse effects.
 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

---

References

1. McCollum EV, Simmonds N, Becker JE, Shipley PG. An experimental demon­stration of the existence of a vitamin which promotes calcium deposition. J Biol Chem. 1922;53:293-8.
2. Chang SW, Lee HC. Vitamin D and health - the missing vitamin in humans. Pediatr Neonatol. 2019;60(3):237-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. pedneo.2019.04.007.
3. Hurst EA, Homer NZ, Mellanby RJ. Vitamin D metabolism and profiling in Veterinary Species. Metabolites. 2020;10(9):371. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo10090371.
4. Zafalon RVA, Risolia LW, Pedrinelli V, Vendramini THA, Rodrigues RBA, Amaral AR, Kogika MM, Brunetto MA.
   Vitamin D metabolism in dogs and cats and its relation to diseases not associated with bone metabolism.
   J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2020;104(1):322-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13259.
5. Mellanby RJ, Mee AP, Berry JL, Herrtage ME. Hypercalcaemia in two dogs caused by excessive dietary supplementation of vitamin D. J Small Anim Pract. 2005;46(7):334-8. https://doi.org/10.111l7j.1748-5827. 2005.tb00329. x.
6. Backus RC, Foster LR. Investigation of the effects of dietary supplementation with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin D3 on indicators of vitamin D status in healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2021;82(9):722-36. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.82.9.722.
7. Jewell DE, Panickar KS. Increased dietary vitamin D was associated with increased circulating vitamin D with no observable adverse effects in adult dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1242851. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1 242851.
8. National Research Council Ad Hoc Committee on Dog and Cat Nutrition. Vitamins in: nutrient requirements of dogs and cats. Washington, DC: The National Academies; 2006. pp. 1 93-245.
9. Medrano M, Carrillo-Cruz E, Montero I, Perez-Simon JA, Vitamin D. Effect on Haematopoiesis and Immune System and clinical applications. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(9):2663. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19092663.
10. Muller T, Lohse L, Blodau A, Frommholz K. Vitamin D and blood parameters. Biomolecules. 2021;11(7):1017. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11071017.
11. Ochogwu OL, Salawu L, Owojuyigbe TO, Adedeji TA. Vitamin D Deficiency and its association with Anemia and blood transfusion requirements in Nigerian adults with Sickle Cell Anemia. Plasmatology. 2021;15. https://doi. org/10.1177/2634853521 1051690.
12. Alizadeh K, Ahmadi S, Sarchahi AA, Mohri M. The effects of age, sex, breed, diet, reproductive status and housing condition on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D in the serum of healthy dogs: reference values. Vet Med Sci. 2022;8(6):2360-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.943. Epub 2022 Sep 22.
13. Arifin WN, Zahiruddin WM. Sample size calculation in Animal studies using resource equation Approach. Malays J Med Sci. 2017;24(5):101-5. https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2017.24.5.1 1. Epub 2017 Oct 26
14. Latimer KS, Robert J, editors. Duncan & Prasse's veterinary laboratory medicine: clinical pathology, 2011,5th ed. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex, UK.
15. Official Methods of Analysis, AOAC INTERNATIONAL, USA, 18th Edition. 2005, Chap. 45, pp 28-31.
16. Kurzbard RA, Backus RC, Yu S. Rapid improvement in vitamin D status with dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in vitamin D insufficient dogs. J Nutr Sci., Ahmad S, Ullah H, Khan MI, Gul M, Ahmed MS, Khalil M, Ahmad M, Khan AB. Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Hemoglobin Level in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta­Analysis. Cureus. 2023;15(6):e40843. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40843.
17. Young LR, Backus RC. Oral vitamin D supplementation at five times the recommended allowance marginally affects serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs. J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e31. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2016.23.
18. Liu T, Zhong S, Liu L, Liu S, Li X, Zhou T, Zhang J. Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of anemia: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Ren Fail. 2015;37(6):929-34. https://doi.org/10.3109/0886022X.2015.1052979.
19. Smith EM, Tangpricha V. Vitamin D and anemia: insights into an emerging association. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2015;22(6):432-8. https:// doi.org/10.1097/MED.0000000000000199.
20. Ahmad S, Ullah H, Khan MI, Gul M, Ahmed MS, Khalil M, Ahmad M, Khan AB. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on the Hemoglobin Level in chronic kid­ney disease patients on Hemodialysis: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Cureus. 2023;15(6):e40843. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40843.
21. Titmarsh HF, Cartwright JA, Kilpatrick S, Gaylor D, Milne EM, Berry JL, Bommer NX, Gunn-Moore D, Reed N, Handel I, Mellanby RJ. Relationship between vitamin D status and leukocytes in hospitalised cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2017;19(4):364-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X15625454.
22. Keywanloo M, Ahmadi-Hamedani M, Jebelli Javan A, Rakhshani Zabol F Effects of parenteral vitamin D3 supplementation on Hematological Param­eters of Healthy Holstein Bulls. Arch Razi Inst. 2021;76(5):1 509-1 7. https://doi. org/10.22092/ari.2020.352209.1 552.
23. Wall-Gremstrup G, Holt R, Yahyavi SK, Jorsal MJ, Juul A, Jorgensen N, Blom­berg Jensen M. High-dose vitamin D3 supplementation shows no beneficial effects on white blood cell counts, acute phase reactants, or frequency of respiratory infections. Respir Res. 2024;25(1):11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-023-02642-9.
24. Selting KA, Sharp CR, Ringold R, Thamm DH, Backus R. Serum 25-hydroxyvi- tamin D concentrations in dogs - correlation with health and cancer risk. Vet Comp Oncol. 2016;14(3):295-305. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12101.

---

Might vitamin D improve the health and life of pet cats? - asked Perplexity AI June 2024

Based on the search results, vitamin D appears to play an important role in the health of pet cats. Here are some key points about how vitamin D may improve the health and life of cats:

1. Cats cannot synthesize vitamin D through sun exposure like humans can, so they are entirely dependent on dietary sources of vitamin D. This makes ensuring adequate vitamin D intake through diet crucial for cats.
2. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health in cats. A deficiency can lead to bone disorders like rickets in kittens.
3. Beyond bone health, vitamin D has been linked to various other health benefits in cats:
   • It may help prevent heart disease and congestive heart failure
   • It supports immune function and may help prevent infectious diseases
   • It may play a role in cancer prevention
   • It's important for muscle function and strength
4. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and other health issues in cats.
5. Supplementing vitamin D in appropriate amounts may help prevent or manage some of these health conditions. However, the optimal levels are not well established for adult cats.
6. Commercial cat foods are formulated to provide adequate vitamin D, but homemade diets may increase the risk of deficiency.
7. Vitamin D status can be assessed through blood tests, and supplementation should be done under veterinary guidance to avoid toxicity.

In summary, ensuring cats receive appropriate levels of vitamin D through diet or supplements under veterinary supervision may improve their overall health, bone strength, immune function, and potentially reduce the risk of certain diseases. However, more research is needed to fully understand optimal vitamin D levels and supplementation strategies for adult cats.
Answers including references in Perplexity

---

Cats and dogs can generate Vitamin D in their fur, and then lick if off - 2012

The Offbeat Reason Why Cats and Dogs Lay In The Sun and Lick Their Fur

• "Dogs and cats secrete the same oily cholesterol from their skin, just like us. When they lay in the sun, that oil is, again, converted to Vitamin D3. The difference, however, is that because they have so much hair, the vitamin ends up on their fur and doesn’t get absorbed through their skin."
• " Oh and by the way, I mention cats and dogs, but this info applies to ALL furry mammals and also to birds."

---

Japan’s Revered Pet Cats Are Living Longer, and Costing More (Vit D not mentioned) - June 2024

Bloomberg

• " Last year, Japan’s pet felines lived 15.7 years on average, up from 14.4 years in 2010."
• "Monthly medical costs jumped by 41% to ¥3,400 in 2023 from 2018,..."

---

Vitamin D in Health and Disease in Dogs and Cats Nov 2020

REVIEW ARTICLE| VOLUME 1, P265-277, NOVEMBER 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yasa.2020.07.017
Ronald Jan Corbee, DVM, PhD, Dipl ECVCN
Table of Contents

Key points

• 25-hydroxyvitamin D is not a sensitive indicator of vitamin D status in dogs and cats.
• Food intake and food ingredient analysis are often absent in studies on vitamin D in dogs and cats.
• 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is the most potent vitamin D metabolite with the greatest binding affinity to the vitamin D receptor.
• Determination of other vitamin D metabolites rather than 25-hydroxyvitamin D in vitamin D studies will provide better insight in cause-effect relationships.

 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

---

Web

• https://www.vetinfo.com/vitamin-d-for-dogs.html 227 IU/pound of dry dog food
  A toxic dose > 2272 IU per pound of dry dog food
• Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs – correlation with health and cancer risk July 2014
  3.9X more likely for dog to get Cancer if < 40 ng (100 ng typical in dogs)
   Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki
• Fat Soluble Vitamins: A, D, E & K in Dogs

Vitamin	Recommended Minimum Daily Dose for Dogs	Toxic Dose (This dose must be given daily for months to create toxicity.)	Sources	Signs of Deficiencies
A	2272 IU/lb of food consumed on a dry matter basis	113,600 IU/lb of food consumed on a dry matter basis	Liver, fish liver oil, vegetables, dairy products	Night blindness, retarded growth, poor quality skin and hair
D	227 IU/lb of food consumed on a dry matter basis	2272 IU/lb of food consumed on a dry matter basis	Sunshine, dairy products, fish liver oil	Rickets, poor eruption of permanent teeth
E	23 IU/lb of food consumed on a dry matter basis	455 IU/lb of food consumed on a dry matter basis	Cold pressed vegetable oils, meats, nuts, green leafy vegetables	Reproductive failure, brown bowel syndrome
K	Synthesized in the body	none	Kelp, alfalfa, egg yolk	Increased clotting time and hemorrhage

    Vitamin D overdose . . “is rare and we have never heard of it happening in real life situations”

Examples of Vitamin D suppliers for dogs

• PetLife-400 New Zealand $23 US
  300 squirts: 400 IU of Vitamin D, 3 IU Vitamin E, Aloe vera, water, and perhaps Magnesium L Threonate
  2 squirts daily for dogs up to 5 kg
  Senior pets rejuvenated with vitamin D He had such success that he is now making PetLife
• Miracle Coat Miracle Mist Skin Treatment Spray
  $8 Amazon, Vitamins A, D2 & E
  Uses “Tea Tree oil. Far more effective than Aloe Vera”
• MaxxiDog Amazon $22 Omegas and ingredients per ounce include Vitamin A 500 IU Vitamin D3 100 IU Vitamin E 50 IU
• SUPER SUPPLEMENT FOR DOGS
  Vitamin B Complex, Amino Acids, 63 Trace Minerals, Ester C, Glucosamine, Aloe Vera, Vitamin D, E , K, Iron, Calcium and Magnesium ,Zinc

---

28+ VitaminDWiki pages have CATS OR DOGS OR PETS in the title

This list is automatically updated

---

There have been 7162 visits to this page