Is vitamin C safe for dogs?

Answer 1

Well from what I've read this is a question that has resulted in two different opinions:

First, some experts say that yes, a Vitamin C supplement is good for dogs that have, or are prone to, joint/bone problems i.e hip dysplasia. What I've heard is that the recommended daily dosage for an ADULT dog is 1000mg/day BUT in two 500mg doses WITH FOOD (that is, twice a day, 500mg each, totaling 1000 a day). BUT THIS DEPENDS ON THE DOGS SIZE SO YOU MUST CONSULT A VETERINARIAN. Also, you're supposed to introduce it GRADUALLY, maybe 500mg every 2 days, then increase over a period of a couple weeks. I've actually heard that Ester-C is a better option for dogs because its not as acidic and so it wont irritate the dogs stomach. Ester C is still Vitamin C, just a special form.

Second, other experts say that there is noproof that Vitamin C supplementation is beneficial or even necassary because dogs produce their own Vitamin C and each dog produces what they need individually. Also, theres a warning I've heard about that if you feed your dog a Vitamin C supplement he will stop producing his own therefore making him dependant upon the supplement.

Whatever you decide, definitely CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN FIRST to get his/her opinion. I AM NOT A VETERINARIAN AND THESE COMMENTS ARE BASED ON KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED THROUGH PERSONAL RESEARCH. I AM JUST ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST PEOPLE BY HELPING ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS THEY MAY BE RESEARCHING.

DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR DOGS DIET WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR VETERINARIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOUR VET IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR DOG! IF YOU LOVE YOUR DOG AND YOU DONT WANT TO HURT HIM OR HER, TALK TO YOUR VET FIRST :)

To say that Vitamin C is bad for dogs is a false answer because dogs produce Vitamin C independantly therefore it would make little sense to say that it can be harmful to them.

However, whether or not you should provide your dog with SUPPLEMENTAL Vitamin C is a question that is best left for your veterinarian because there are conflicting positions on this question, with some breeders recommending Vitamin C supplements and others saying that such supplements are unecassary.

First, some experts say that yes, a Vitamin C supplement is good for dogs that have, or are prone to, joint/bone problems i.e hip dysplasia. What I've heard is that the recommended daily dosage for an ADULT dog is 1000mg/day BUT in two 500mg doses WITH FOOD (that is, twice a day, 500mg each, totaling 1000 a day). BUT THIS DEPENDS ON THE DOGS SIZE SO YOU MUST CONSULT A VETERINARIAN. Also, you're supposed to introduce it GRADUALLY, maybe 500mg every 2 days, then increase over a period of a couple weeks. I've actually heard that Ester-C is a better option for dogs because its not as acidic and so it wont irritate the dogs stomach. Ester C is still Vitamin C, just a special form.

Second, other experts say that there is noproof that Vitamin C supplementation is beneficial or even necassary because dogs produce their own Vitamin C and each dog produces what they need individually. Also, theres a warning I've heard about that if you feed your dog a Vitamin C supplement he will stop producing his own therefore making him dependant upon the supplement.

Whatever you decide, definitely CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN FIRST to get his/her opinion. I AM NOT A VETERINARIAN AND THESE COMMENTS ARE BASED ON KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED THROUGH PERSONAL RESEARCH. I AM JUST ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST PEOPLE BY HELPING ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS THEY MAY BE RESEARCHING.

DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR DOGS DIET WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR VETERINARIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOUR VET IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR DOG! IF YOU LOVE YOUR DOG AND YOU DONT WANT TO HURT HIM OR HER, TALK TO YOUR VET FIRST :)

Answer 2

No. Most animal species make their own vitamin C or the equivalent, and do not require vitamin C supplements. Cats and dogs, except for ones with very rare genetic disorders, do not need vitamin C.