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feeGet a "5 Bullet Breakdown" of the studies we regard as "cornerstones" of vitamin D research in dogs. These key studies provide invaluable information to dog owners.
Read below to learn why DoggyD considers these findings vital in the mission to lower cancer rates in dogs - and improve the overall health of our fuzzy friends
5 Bullet Breakdown
Why Is it A Cornerstone Study?
This study was led by one of the most respected veterinary schools in America: the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. It included a good number of dogs to fill out the study (320), and included kibble, fresh food, and mixed diets to provide a good picture of how dietary patterns affect vitamin D levels in dogs.
The study also puts to rest the notion that common fish oil supplements or fortified dog biscuits have any notable impact on your dog’s health. A more targeted vitamin D supplement was the thing that made a notable, positive impact on vitamin D levels for the dogs. It also sets a clear boundary of what should be considered “healthy” vitamin D levels in dogs: 100-250 ng/mL.
Finally, the analysis of this study is very interesting, as it breaks down findings based on sex, spayed/neutered dogs vs “fixed” ones, breed, age, and brand of dog food. This sort of cross-sectional analysis can be very helpful for dog owners. It empowers them to better consider their individual dog’s health needs based on these identifying traits.
It also points research in the direction it needs to go for veterinarians: a study observing disease rates (e.g. - cancer, chronic illness) in dogs with vitamin D levels between 100-250 ng/mL - versus dogs with levels below 100 ng/mL. We hope a study like this is done in the near future, and gets carried out over a period of 5+ years. DoggyD is confident a study like the one described above will demonstrate a direct correlation between increased vitamin D levels and a lower rate of chronic illness and cancer in dogs.
5-Bullet Breakdown
Why Is it a Cornerstone Study?
Three reasons: this study provides solid empirical grounds for DoggyD to suggest that your dog’s vitamin D levels should be AT LEAST 100 ng/ml - and up to 250 ng/mL - for optimal health. When it comes to chronic illness and cancer, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Improved vitamin D levels may play a key role in preventing some of these illnesses in your dog.
Second, this study provides strong evidence for an association between low levels of vitamin D increased risk of cancer in dogs. The conclusion plainly states that dogs with vitamin D levels below 100 ng/mL should be considered at risk for cardiac and bowel diseases, as well as different forms of cancer.
Third, the Veterinary Diagnostics Institute conducted this study - look these guys up. They are leaders in cancer detection and treatment for animals. Sometimes, studies look very promising, but will be done by a company that arguably has a vested interest in painting a certain picture. For example, if Purina came out with a study that claimed, “Purina brand dog food found to be healthiest dog kibble…” you would probably scrutinize the results. VDI's sole mission is how to best prevent and treat diseases like cancer in our beloved fuzzy friends.
5 Bullet Breakdown
Why Is it a Cornerstone Study?
We will include the link to the AAFCO’s updated 2016 dog food guidelines here, but this article succinctly and reasonably explains why the AAFCO’s decision to lower the vitamin D levels is questionable at best.
It does a good job pointing out the slightly bemused feeling a dog owner may get when realizing that the vitamin D guidelines were set based on studies that only included Great Dane puppies.
For anyone with mature or senior dogs, this fact should raise some alarm bells, and have you reconsidering whether there are simple nutritional precautions you can take to help prevent disease in your dog.
5 Bullet Breakdown
795, 3,087, 5510, 7314, and 9992.5 IU/kg of dry food
Why Is it A Cornerstone Study?
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee partnered with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to run this study. It is good to note that Hill’s Pet Nutrition sells dog food, but they are known for being one of the only brands certified by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Hill’s is arguably the best dog food brand when it comes to backing up their formulations with empirical data and rigorous scientific testing. This is not an endorsement of Hill’s pet food - simply a statement of fact that their research can likely be trusted and considered credible.
Beyond that, the study gave a group of dogs 3 times the AAFCO limit for vitamin D, and saw no adverse effects at all. Zero. DoggyD’s opinion is that, based on this finding and other studies, dogs getting fed up to 10,000 IU/kg of dry food have the best chance to lower their risk of chronic disease and cancer. So, it is good to have a study that, after 6 months, saw no significant adverse effects with dogs having vitamin D supplementation up to 10,000 IU/kg dry dog food.
DoggyD LLC is the most trusted supplement company for dogs. Vitamin D helps dogs with many health conditions, often when traditional treatments do not work, such as eczema, infection, and mood. It also acts as a preventative agent against many chronic illnesses and forms of cancer
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