My dog started losing his hair a few months back; before that, he was fluffy with beautiful, flowing hair. I was concerned for him as his appearance and health started declining.
I knew I had to address the issue because my dog was developing skin rashes and was suffering from recurrent infections. I researched my dog’s issue extensively, which led me to why vitamin E is necessary for his health.
Vitamin E for Dogs Benefits and Why Is Important
The following benefits will help you develop an understanding of why your dog requires a balanced diet that is plentiful in vitamin E.
Cardiac function
Heart cells are in constant function making them prone to injuries at a microscopic level, however, an appropriate amount of vitamin E in a dog’s diet can reduce the chances of cellular injuries improving their function.
Research also states that vitamin E deficiencies are a contributing factor in the development of cardiovascular conditions that include cardiomyopathy.
When the heart ceases to function properly, it also affects the oxygenation and metabolism of cells, increasing the number of harmful radicals produced.
Free radicals can cause oxidative stress because of their ability to multiply, which in turn causes cells to be attacked. Fortunately, diets abundant in vital fatty acids and vitamin E might help cells fight against harmful free radicals and decrease their susceptibility to them.
Immunity
The healthy functioning of a dog’s immune system depends on various nutrients, one of which is vitamin E. Dogs that lack the amount of vitamin E in their body have an increased likelihood of developing infections, especially during the cold months of the year.
Dogs suffering from auto-immune disorders can also benefit from including vitamin E in their diet.
One of my patients at the clinic, Jack, a 2-year-old Siberian Husky, had hair loss, skin rash, and irritation. His blood profile revealed he had an auto-immune disorder (overactive immune system). Vitamin E supplementation in the diet improved Jack’s condition and within 2-3 months he was looking all fluffy again.
Skin
Being an antioxidant, vitamin E helps reduce free radicals in your dog’s skin tissue, protecting it from UV radiation. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and prevents itchy skin, rashes, and allergies.
Coat
As a veterinarian, I frequently hear from dog owners that my pet has a rough coat, or he is losing hair. One reason behind poor coats in dogs can be vitamin E deficiency.
Vitamin E helps synthesize protein and fat stored in the hair follicle. When a dog doesn’t receive enough of it in the diet the hair becomes weak and eventually detaches from the follicle.
Vision
As dogs age, the structures in their eyes deteriorate, leading to poor eyesight. According to research, supplementing your dog’s diet with vitamin E can help maintain eye structures, resulting in light to focus accurately on the retina forming a clear image and improving the coordination between nerve cells and retina resulting in better vision.
Joints
Joint problems, particularly osteoarthritis, are very common in dogs, especially seniors. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition causing joint pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility in canines, and there is no specific treatment for this condition.
However, vitamin E has proven to be very beneficial in managing joint problems in dogs.
A study revealed that dogs that receive vitamin E in their diet had less joint pain, lower inflammation, and fewer lesions (injuries) on the joint cartilage at the microscopic level.
Vitamin E Dosage for Dogs
The dosage of vitamin E for dogs depends upon several factors, such as health status, weight, size, age, type of diet, breed, and others.
As stated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, daily vitamin E intake for dogs should be 50 international units (IU) per kg of body weight.
According to this standard, a little dog weighing ten pounds would require approximately 225 international units (IU) of vitamin E daily, whereas a large dog weighing fifty pounds would require approximately 1,150 IU.
Dogs with different health issues have varying vitamin E requirements. I would suggest looking at this dosage chart if your dog has arthritis, liver disease, or other health problems.
Where to Get Vitamin E for Dogs
Dogs can get their daily vitamin E from three main sources:
Commercial dog foods
Along with being beneficial to a dog, vitamin E also serves as an organic preservative since it is an antioxidant. It is incorporated in commercially prepared dog food and is frequently referred to by the term “mixed tocopherols” in the description of ingredients.
Natural sources
Vitamin E is abundant in foods like fleshy organs as well as seed oils. Foods such as liver, egg, spleen, hemp seed oil, sea bass, germ oil from wheat, trout, sunflower oil, sprouts of turnip, berries, vegetable greens, sweet potato, beans and lentils, oleanolic acid, asparagus, red sweet pepper as well as mango and other fruits are safe and plentiful sources for dogs.
However, always consult your veterinarian before the inclusion of any new food in your dog’s diet.
Supplements
If your dog doesn’t like foods rich in vitamin E, you can simply buy vitamin E dog supplements and add them to their regular diet. With dog supplements, you can give your dog a consistent and correct dosage of vitamin E.
Again, it is advised to consult your vet before going for supplements to be on the safer side and to determine the accurate dosage.
Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E deficiency is uncommon in dogs that consume a balanced dog food packed with nutrients.
Under certain conditions, however, vitamin E deficiency can occur. For example, if a dog’s food is not nutritionally balanced. This can happen if you are offering homemade dog food or a diet that is not according to their age group or body weight.
The most prominent signs of a vitamin E deficiency in dogs are the following:
- Weakness and muscle wasting
- Recurrent skin issues
- Rough coat
- Reduced eyesight
- Difficulty in conceiving or fewer offspring (poor fertility)
- Recurrent infections (due to reduced immunity)
- Progressive weight loss
- Digestive upsets
- Behavioral shifts or neurological issues
Risks of Vitamin E Overdose
Excessive supplementation of any vitamin can cause overdose, which might require medical attention. To prevent this from happening, select a dog food that has regulated vitamin levels.
In general, vitamin E is considered safe for dogs if administered within the defined limitations; however, you should regularly consult with your vet about what is appropriate for your pet.
As a vet, I have rarely seen vitamin E overdoses in canines; it is mostly the excesses of vitamins A and vitamin D, along with iron, which are a cause of concern.
One complication of offering vitamin E in excess to dogs with lower vitamin K concentration in their blood is that it can make your dog prone to bleeding and clotting disorders.
Additional warning signs and symptoms regarding vitamin E toxicosis are persistent lethargy, variations in the appetite, changes in regular behavior and routine, and digestive issues, such as loose stool and throwing up.
When to Start Vitamin E Supplementation
As a small animal veterinarian, I suggest that a puppy should start taking a regular vitamin E pill as early as 12 weeks old, as this is going to help them stay healthy throughout adulthood and onwards.
If your dog has a balanced diet, then additional vitamin E supplements are not required since its deficiency is uncommon in canines.
If your dog exhibits some of the following symptoms related to the nervous system: weakness in the muscles, recurrent infections, reduced vision, and reproductive issues, I would recommend starting vitamin E supplementation.
FAQ
Is vitamin E safe for dogs’ skin?
Vitamin E not only can help to reduce free radicals from your dog’s skin tissue, but it can also protect the skin from harmful UV radiation, improving your dog’s overall health.
Does vitamin E help dogs with itching?
Itching caused by skin dryness, rashes, or allergies can be subsided with the addition of vitamin E to your dog’s diet since it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.
Is vitamin E good for a dog’s liver?
One of the functions of your dog’s liver is to detoxify the blood, removing metabolic waste and free radicals. As vitamin E is an antioxidant, it helps neutralize these harmful elements, improving your dog’s liver function.
What are the side effects of vitamin E for dogs?
Vitamin E has no side effects in canines if offered in appropriate concentrations. However, overdose can cause diarrhea, vomiting, clotting issues, and a few other complications in dogs.
Summary
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that occurs in both forms, natural and synthetic. It is also known as tocopherol in medical terminologies. It is one of the essential nutrients that dogs need in their daily diet to stay healthy.
It plays a key role in maintaining canine cardiac, joint, and skin health and ensuring good immunity. Dogs that lack vitamin E in their diet can suffer from certain health issues such as hair loss, itchy skin, nervous issues, and others.
I recommended providing your dog with a balanced diet or vitamin E supplements to avoid deficiency. However, always consult your vet before including any nutrient in your canine diet as overdose can lead to complications.
Sources:
- https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/vitamin-e-for-is-good-for-dogs/
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
- https://vetericyn.com/blog/vitamin-e-for-dogs/
- https://www.purina.com/articles/dog/health/nutrition/vitamin-e-for-dogs
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