Why Vitamin D? 

When it comes to your pet’s health, most owners know to keep up with vaccines, heartworm tests, and dental cleanings. But one crucial part of wellness often goes overlooked: Vitamin D levels!

Vitamin D is not just a “bonus” nutrient — it’s an essential part of your pet’s immune, skeletal, and even cardiovascular health.

And unlike humans, dogs and cats can’t synthesize enough Vitamin D from sunlight alone, making it entirely dependent on diet and supplementation.

So why should you test it?

Why Vitamin D Matters for Pets

Vitamin D (specifically 25-hydroxyvitamin D) is essential for multiple key processes in the body, including:

• Immune response – it plays a role in fighting infection and inflammation
  • Low Vitamin D levels have been associated with increased inflammation and decreased survival in critically ill dogs. (2)
  • Vitamin D is an immunomodulator that helps prevent immune overreactions. Testing is especially relevant in pets with: allergies, chronic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and autoimmune arthritis or IMHA
• Heart health – deficiencies have been linked to serious conditions like cardiomyopathy and kidney disease
  • In one study, lower Vitamin D levels were also associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiac events. (6)
• Kidney health
  • Low Vitamin D levels are commonly found in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), potentially contributing to secondary hyperparathyroidism, poor phosphorus regulation, and progression of renal damage (1)
• Calcium and phosphorus balance – crucial for strong bones and teeth
• Muscle strength and nerve function

Low levels of Vitamin D can silently contribute to:

• Chronic inflammation
• Weak bones or dental issues
• Increased risk of infections
• Poor healing or post-surgical recovery

Are Some Pets at Greater Risk?

Yes! Your pet may be more likely to have low Vitamin D if they:

• Eat primarily homemade, raw, or limited-ingredient diets OR commercial diets
  • Even many commercial pet foods do not meet ideal Vitamin D targets despite meeting AAFCO minimums (3)!
  • Vitamin D levels in food do not always correlate with blood levels in pets, meaning dietary intake alone may be an unreliable indicator of sufficiency. (5)
• Have chronic conditions like kidney or liver disease or CANCER!
• Are aging or immunocompromised
• Have frequent infections, joint issues, or low energy levels

How is Vitamin D Tested in Pets?

Healing Paws Center can perform a simple blood test can measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, the most accurate marker of Vitamin D status. It’s often included in our broader nutritional or wellness panel.

At Healing Paws Center, we recommend Vitamin D testing for:

• Pets with unexplained fatigue, inflammation, or mobility issues
• ***ALL CANCER PATIENTS  Dogs with lymphoma and other cancers have been found to have lower Vitamin D levels, and higher Vitamin D levels at diagnosis have been linked to longer survival times. (4)
• Those on non-standard diets
• Senior pets as part of routine checkups
• Pets recovering from injury, illness, or surgery  In a study of hospitalized dogs, those with low serum Vitamin D levels had a higher risk of death, making it a potential biomarker for overall health. (2)

The results tell us whether your pet is deficient, insufficient, or optimal, allowing us to tailor supplements and diet to your pet’s specific needs.

What If My Pet Is Deficient?

The good news is that Vitamin D levels can be corrected with:

• Vet-guided supplementation (important — overdosing can be extremely harmful!)
• Adjustments in diet, especially for pets on homemade or exotic proteins
• Re-testing to ensure safe, effective progress
• Supportive therapies for inflammation, muscle strength, or immune function

Caution: Do not give your pet human Vitamin D or over-the-counter supplements without veterinary guidance—overdosing can be toxic.

The Bottom Line

• Vitamin D is more than a vitamin — it’s a vital building block of your pet’s health. Testing it can uncover hidden imbalances before they become serious, helping your pet live a longer, stronger, and healthier life.
• If you’re interested in checking your pet’s Vitamin D levels, contact us today to schedule a wellness screening. A simple test could make a big difference!

Resources:

1. Parker, V. J., Harjes, L. M., Dembek, K. A., Young, G. S., Giacopuzzi, B., & Chew, D. J. (2017).
   Association of vitamin D metabolites with parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor-23, calcium, and phosphorus in dogs with various stages of chronic kidney disease. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 31(3), 791–798. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14662
2. Gow, A. G., Else, R., Evans, H., Berry, J., Herrtage, M. E., & Mellanby, R. J. (2011). Vitamin D status is associated with disease severity and survival in dogs with chronic illness. PLoS ONE, 6(1), e14513. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0014513
3. Sharp, C. R., Selting, K. A., & Ringold, R. (2015).
   The effect of diet on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 99(2), 239–246. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12225
4. Selting, K. A., Sharp, C. R., Ringold, R., & Knouse, J. (2016).
   Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs – correlation with health and cancer. BMC Veterinary Research, 12, 136. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0776-3
5. Backus, R. C., Boretti, F. S., Lutz, T. A., & Reusch, C. E. (2013). Vitamin D metabolism in dogs and its association with health outcomes: A review. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 74(9), 1159–1166. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.74.9.1159
6. Kraus et al., 2014 – A study published in Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that dogs with congestive heart failure had significantly lower Vitamin D levels, and those with lower levels experienced more adverse cardiac events.
7. Selting, K. A., Sharp, C. R., Ringold, R., & Knouse, J. (2016). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs – correlation with health and cancer. BMC Veterinary Research, 12, 136. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0776-3

The post Why You Should Check Your Dog’s Vitamin D Levels: The Overlooked Key to Lifelong Health appeared first on Healing Paws Center.

Did you know that gut health of your pet affects your pet’s mental and physical health?  You are what you eat as they say!

Just like humans, pets benefit from nutritional supplements and a balanced, healthy diet.  For example, fish oils are beneficial for your pet’s coat, cognitive function, kidney, heart, and joint health.  They also help to reduce overall inflammation in the body.  A balanced diet made for your pet’s individual needs may help your pet that has a sensitive stomach or to meet the needs of your pet athlete.

OK, so what great nutritional supplements should my pet be on, and where do I find them?

As a veterinarian trained in holistic animal medicine, I select products that are specifically formulated according to the highest research-based standards, AND held to strict quality control standards.  It is very important that ANY supplement you give your pet follows strict quality control and go through rigorous testing to make sure what they say on the label is true to what is in the bottle!  We should hold our pet’s supplements to the same standard as our own supplements!

Additionally, I create an individualized pet supplement based on the pet’s health requirements and overall physical examination.  Here at Healing Paws Center, I recommend investing in the research-based products we select – each product is specially vetted, and chosen with your pet in mind.

Products we recommend include:

• Nordic Naturals Omega-3 fatty acids (fish based Omega-3-fatty acids with high dose of EPA and DHA)
• Yunnan Baiyo (Chinese Herbal Therapy)

Concentrated fish oil is a GREAT source of omega-3-fatty acids for pets. These lower inflammation in the body.

Yunnan Baiyo is a powerful anti-cancer herb.

How do I make a balanced diet?  I’m interested in home-cooking for my dog or cat, or creating a top dressing but I don’t know where to start. 

Home-cooking for your pet is an opportunity to improve your pet’s overall health!  However, I strongly recommend consulting with us before starting your pet’s diet.  We work with a Board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist to create an individualized, BALANCED home-cooked recipe.  This means that the diet is balanced for micronutrients and vitamins – including Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium.

Your 10-month old Golden retriever puppy has different vitamin and micronutrient needs than your 10-year-old Boxer!  A lack of the appropriate micronutrients and vitamins can result in serious health conditions and problems.

If you are interested in making a balanced homemade diet and/or interested in beneficial nutritional supplements for your pet, call Healing Paws Center today to book an appointment with one of our holistic veterinarians!

Works Cited

EPA and DHA for Dogs: What are they and what are the benefits? (2012, December 20). Retrieved from https://petsci.co.uk/nutrition/epa-and-dha-for-dogs/

Linder, D. E., Linder, D. E., & Dacvn. (2018, October 25). Should I give fish oil to my pet? Retrieved from http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/should-i-give-fish-oil-to-my-pet/

Heinze, C. R., Heinze, C. R., & Dacvn. (2018, October 26). Should you make your own pet food at home? Retrieved from http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/07/should-you-make-your-own-pet-food-at-home/

Images

https://www.vetrxdirect.com/product/view/nordic-naturals-omega-3-pet-for-dogs-and-cats-otc

The post What Should I Feed My Pet – Pets Are What They Eat! appeared first on Healing Paws Center.