The Shocking Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Dogs

Have you ever heard that sunshine is good for your health? It holds true for our furry companions, too! Vitamin D, often dubbed the “sunshine vitamin,” plays a crucial role in dog health, influencing bone development and muscle function, and even benefits the immune system of dogs. 

A recent study by Tufts University found that 75% of dogs are vitamin D deficient. Tufts University researchers examined the vitamin D levels of 320 dogs.  Most (292) ate commercial dog food, 18 got completely homemade diets, and 10 got a mix of both. Overall, researchers found that 75% of the dogs’ serum levels showed they were below the optimal level of vitamin D. In other words, the study proves that vitamin D deficiency in dogs is far more prevalent than down owners might assume.

The researchers conclude that supplementation with vitamin D may be essential and can substantially increase vitamin D levels in dogs. That’s where DoggyD comes in – our liquid vitamin D formula is the perfect topper for your pup’s meal. Our vitamin D dog supplement has the proper, efficacious dose. As you read on – and learn more about how vitamin D levels affect dog health – it will become clear there is a robust association between dog health and high vitamin D levels. Some studies have proven that vitamin D deficiency in dogs is a strong predictor of mortality. 

One of DoggyD’s central tenets regarding our furry friends is the following mantra: “An ounce of prevention = a pound of cure.” 

We hope some of this information inspires you to consider the underlying factors that may, down the line, weaken your dog’s immune system and leave it more susceptible to certain chronic diseases and cancers.

Potential Reasons Why So Many Dogs Are Vitamin D Deficient 

Now, when considering the factors that affect dog health and wondering what dog supplements are worth investing in, let’s understand why vitamin D deficiency is so prevalent in dogs.

Firstly, unlike humans, dogs cannot convert sunlight into vitamin D on their skin. As such, dogs must get all their vitamin D from either food or supplementation. Dogs (and cats) are unique in this issue - animals like sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, and even rats have no problem synthesising vitamin D directly from sunlight. Doggos are alone in this one, which is one of the key reasons we think dog owners should consider DoggyD – it raises your dog’s vitamin D levels to the optimal range, helping strengthen the dog’s immune system and prevent the progression of chronic illnesses.

Second, the commonly prescribed vitamin D intake, set by the AAFCO, was set for young developing puppies. The AAFCO calculated their “upper limit” of vitamin D to help baby pups avoid “ossification” of their musculature. Of course, these concerns do not apply to mature or senior dogs. In fact, due to poorer absorption rates, senior dogs likely need higher levels of vitamin D in their food, and, as it stands now, the AAFCO recommended levels appear to be far too low – potentially giving dog owners inaccurate dog health information. 

Studies have demonstrated that vitamin D concentrations up to 10000 IU/kg of food - almost three times the upper limit of vitamin D set by AAFCO - was proven perfectly safe, having no adverse effects on the dogs. These empirical findings can be crucial for dog owners, and they may help explain why such a shocking number of adult and senior dogs are vitamin D. They set nutrient standards for puppies, not grown dogs!

Second, dog owners in the US likely feed their pups a wide variety of diets, meaning that, depending on the commercial dog food you buy or the homemade meal plan you prepare, there could easily be gaps in the vitamin content of your dog’s food. There is evidence that some traditional dog kibble brands have low bioavailability. Commercial dog kibble is processed at high temperatures, which may essentially “kill” its nutrient content.

Is Homemade Dog Food Better Than Store-Bought Food?

Homemade diets are not 100% out of the woods, either. While some homemade diets are better at providing enriched nutrient content than cheap commercial dog food brands, studies reveal the quality of homemade dog food diets varies wildly in their vitamin and mineral content. For this fact, we highly recommend that dog owners who feed their dogs a fresh diet regularly get their dog’s vitamin levels checked at the vet. Supplementation with products like DoggyD maybe even more vital for fresh food diets, as these meal plans lack the standardisation that, at the very least, is guaranteed with commercial dog food and kibble. 

Do Different Dog Breeds Have Different Metabolic Patterns?

The same Tufts study referenced earlier found that vitamin D in dogs can vary by breed! German shepherds had, on average, 26% higher vitamin D levels than Golden Labs. That means the best dog supplements for golden retrievers may differ from those for German shepherds. So, depending on your pet’s specific breed, they may be more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. 

A final fact to consider: just like humans, the metabolic systems of each dog can have unique nutritional needs. It is widespread that people who are struggling with various health issues find out their body simply does not synthesise or absorb a particular vitamin. Dogs can be the same – they may have a metabolic aberration or underlying condition preventing crucial vitamin absorption. In this case, even if your dog’s diet is balanced, they will still suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Concluding Thoughts: The Vital Importance of Vitamin D in Dogs

After reading all the information above, it would be natural for dog owners to ask, “Why is vitamin D in dogs so important?” The simple answer is this: research has proven that vitamin D levels in dogs are strong predictors of mortality. Critically ill dogs often have low vitamin D levels, and vets can use vitamin D as an independent predictor of survival for dogs admitted to the hospital. 

While more research is needed to prove the direct correlation between vitamin D levels and dog health, multiple studies have unequivocally stated the strong association between dog illness (e.g., chronic disease, cancer, pancreatitis, and more, and low vitamin D levels. For these dire reasons, DoggyD wants to inform dog owners of the importance of effective vitamin supplementation. 

Other research has warned dog owners that there is a latency period between low vitamin D levels and the manifestation of illness in dogs. This means that, while your pup may seem healthy on the surface, they may be at heightened risk of disease due to low vitamin D levels:

Dogs with insufficient vitamin D, despite a 6–12 month follow-up period, should still be considered at risk for the development of diseases such as cardiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, as previously published.42–46 Latency before clinical manifestation of cancer is well recognised and can vary in length. (source)

This sobering fact is fundamental for dog owners to be aware of, and it only further highlights one of DoggyD’s core mantras: “ounce of prevention = pound of cure.” Becoming more aware of your dog’s vitamin levels and how that can affect their health is crucial to providing them with the best care and a quality life defined by love and longevity. We at DoggyD have your back, so if you have any further questions about the research presented here, don’t hesitate to reach out and drop us a line! Cheers, and praying for all your doggos’ good health.

The video below is a good, brief breakdown of how vitamin D is linked to certain chronic illnesses in dogs – check it out!