Should You Give Your Puppy Vitamins?

Anyone who takes a daily multivitamin to boost their own health might be tempted to give vitamins to their puppy. But is it wise to use such supplements to put some extra pep in your pup’s step?

Most puppies do not need vitamins, says Dr. Paola Cuevas, veterinary consultant at Hepper, a pet furniture company.

However, she says there are situations where some dogs might benefit from taking them.

“It definitely makes sense to provide your puppy with vitamins or other supplements if — and only if — they were prescribed by their veterinarian,” she says.

Why most puppies don’t need vitamins

A typical puppy does not require vitamin supplementation if the dog eats a quality diet that is formulated for puppies of their size group, Cuevas says.

“A complete and balanced diet should contain all the macro and micronutrients that a puppy needs for healthy development and growth,” she says.

The American Kennel Club also says that while there can be a time and place for puppy vitamins, a good-quality dog food should have all the vitamins a puppy requires.

“Commercially available fresh, dry and wet puppy foods already contain all the necessary supplements,” Cuevas says.

When vitamins are a good choice for puppies

But there may be times when vitamins can provide a puppy with important nutrients.

“On occasion, an underdeveloped, malnourished, or sick puppy might need extra supplementation,” Cuevas says.

Puppies that have a vitamin deficiency can have compromised immunity, metabolism, development and overall health, Cuevas says. “A vitamin supplement might be necessary to support their health or the recovery of an infection or other health condition,” she says.

For example, vitamins of the B complex, iron and folic acid combine to support the formation of red blood cells. “So, this vitamin might be beneficial for a puppy recovering from a flea infestation,” Cuevas says.

While dogs can synthesize vitamin C, those who are sick or that have a compromised immune system may benefit from supplementation, she says.

Puppies who eat a homemade diet also might be good candidates for extra vitamins and supplements to make sure the dog gets all the nutrients it needs.

“The exact amount of each vitamin will depend on the other ingredients used in the diet,” Cuevas says.

A veterinarian is best qualified to decide whether a vitamin supplement might enhance a puppy’s immunity, health and overall development, she adds.

Risks of giving your puppy vitamins

Giving your puppy vitamins is not risk-free, however. While a vitamin deficiency can be bad for your puppy’s health, an excess of vitamins also can lead to disease.

For example, while a deficiency of vitamin A can result in eye problems — including night blindness, keratitis and even complete blindness — too much vitamin A leads to toxicity, with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and peeling of the skin.

“Excess vitamin A can also accumulate and lead to weakness, constipation, weight loss and excessive bone growth, which will result in impaired and possibly painful movements,” Cuevas says.

While adequate intake of vitamin D helps to regulate the calcium and phosphorus balance and the retention of calcium in a puppy’s growing bones, excessively high levels of vitamin D are toxic and can lead to kidney failure and even death.

“Both vitamins A and D are fat-soluble,” Cuevas says. “Excessive amounts will accumulate in the puppy’s tissue.” This is different from water-soluble vitamins, which are normally just excreted in urine, she adds.

The American Kennel Club also emphasizes that there is little research about the long-term safety of giving dogs vitamin supplements. In addition, the organization notes that some supplements might contain herbs and other ingredients that can interact with medications.

Alternatives to giving your puppy vitamins

Cuevas emphasizes that feeding your puppy good-quality puppy food should ensure the dog gets all the right vitamins. She suggests looking for a “complete and balanced” statement on the food label to make sure your puppy is getting all the nutrients it needs.

Pet owners who give homemade food to their puppy must make sure the diet contains all the nutrients that dogs need.

“The best way to go about this is to have your diet recipes made by a veterinary nutritionist,” Cuevas says. “They will gather all the information about your puppy and make a special diet catered for them.”

A veterinarian can also inform you about what ingredients to use and whether supplements will be necessary.

“If your veterinarian is recommending a vitamin supplement for your puppy, follow their directions,” Cuevas says. “Please ensure you know the correct dosage and are aware of how long will they need to take the vitamin.”

More puppy vitamin ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’

If you plan to give your puppy vitamins, make sure you limit yourself to supplements your veterinarian recommends.

“Special puppy products are available in the market and each one is slightly different from the other,” Cuevas says.

Also, closely follow your veterinarian’s directions. “Micronutrient absorption and metabolism can feedback influence each other,” Cuevas says. “Giving too much of something might cause something else not to be available or absorbed.”

Each puppy is different and has unique requirements. For example, Cuevas notes that large-breed puppies are susceptible to developing joint problems such as hip dysplasia if they consume excessive amounts of calcium, a mineral often present in puppy multivitamin supplements.

“What works for one puppy will not be ideal for another,” Cuevas says. “Your veterinarian is the best person to let you know exactly what your puppy needs.”

Finally, never give your puppy human multivitamins, Cuevas says. “Even if they are kid-specific vitamins, they are not made for a puppy,” she says.