The dangers of Vitamin D deficiency in dogs and cats

Where Do Dogs and Cats get Vitamin D From?

Adequate Vitamin D supplementation is vitally important in dogs and cats. Dogs and cats are unable to synthesize Vitamin D in their skin with exposure to sunshine like people and some other mammals can. Vitamin D must be obtained from the diet of dogs and cats. The best dietary sources of Vitamin D are fish, red meat, eggs, liver, fish oil, and dairy products.

What Chronic Diseases are Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency?

The classical role of Vitamin D is in the maintenance of healthy bones via calcium and phosphorus regulation. New research has shown a link between Vitamin D deficiency and chronic diseases in dogs and cats such as cancer (small cell GI lymphoma, mast cell tumors, lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, carcinomas and sarcomas), congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal diseases including IBD, infectious diseases, acute pancreatitis, polyradiculoneuritis (Coon Hound Paralysis), atopic (allergic) dermatitis, autoimmune diseases, and feline tooth resorption.

How Do You Safely Supplement Vitamin D in Dogs and Cats?

Maintaining optimal Vitamin D blood levels will help prevent and treat many serious diseases in dogs and cats. While supplementation is good, you can overdo it and cause problems instead. For this reason, Vitamin D blood level testing prior to supplementation is a good idea. Test kits can be obtained easily. Vitamin D Test Kit – Dr. Judy Morgan's Naturally Healthy Pets (drjudymorgan.com) Once you know where your pet stands with their Vitamin D blood level, you can safely supplement Vitamin D. RX D3™ for Dogs & Cats (vetsfirstchoice.com)

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References:

Zafalon, RVA, Risolia, LW, Pedrinelli, V, et al. Vitamin D metabolism in dogs and cats and its relation to diseases not associated with bone metabolism. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr. 2020; 104: 322–342. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13259