Health Benefits of Vitamin E for Dogs

With pharmacies on every corner, you likely already know the importance of supplements for your health — but what about the furry members of your family? It’s not always easy to tell if your dog is getting adequate levels of vitamins and minerals for optimum wellness.

In particular, vitamin E for dogs is one of the most important nutrients for maintaining long-term health. Yet pet owners may not realize that it’s as important for dogs as it is for humans.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects against cell damage and oxidative stress, which dogs can experience through diet, lifestyle, and environmental conditions. As they age, dogs — like humans — require additional support to strengthen the immune system and support cognitive function. Without vitamin E through a multivitamin supplement from Pet Honesty or with a whole foods diet, dogs can suffer from poor health and affect their immune system.

Is vitamin E good for dogs? Learn exactly why it’s so important and how to make sure your pet gets enough.

Benefits of Vitamin E for Dogs

Vitamin E has been scientifically shown to reduce inflammation in dogs, but that's not all. Top vitamin E benefits for dogs include:

Shiny Coat: Vitamin E for dogs’ skin helps to reduce itchiness and keep the coat shiny.
Heart Health: Heart disease is common in many breeds of dogs, and vitamin E and a low-sodium diet are vital components of a heart-healthy regime for your furry friend.
Eye Health: Along with lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin E is important for keeping your dog’s eyes clean, bright, and happy.
Cognitive Function: Dogs can develop dementia as they age, and including vitamins C, E, and selenium into a balanced, whole food diet may counter this.
Joint Health: Bigger breeds are at the greatest risk for joint pain, especially if they are overweight or used to high-impact exercise. Vitamin E, along with omega-3 supplements and glucosamine hydrochloride, can help.
Improved Immune System: The right vitamin E dosage for dogs helps your pet fight respiratory infections, allergies, and other diseases.
Slowing the Aging Process: Dogs live an average of 10 to 13 years, and you want to do everything you can to maximize their lifespan and health span. A vitamin E supplement for dogs protects against oxidative stress, which can help to slow the aging process and support overall vitality.

How To Tell If Your Dog Has a Vitamin E Deficiency

Overall, vitamin E deficiency is rare in dogs. However, it isn’t always easy to tell if your dog isn’t getting enough of this crucial nutrient, in part because the symptoms are similar to many other problems and diseases. There are a few signs to look for.

Muscle Weakness

If your pet is suffering from mobility issues related to muscle degeneration, they may not have the right vitamin E dosage for dogs. This may also present itself as neurological abnormalities.

Dry Skin

If your canine friend has dry or flaky skin or keeps scratching, vets often recommend vitamin E for dogs’ itchy skin. Poor coat condition or excessive molting may also be caused by too low a dose. While there is no scientific proof supporting the use of vitamin E for dog warts, other troubling skin conditions may improve with supplements from Pet Honesty.

Weakened Immunity

If your dog is subject to frequent infections or repeated illnesses, a vitamin E deficiency could be to blame. Related symptoms could include low energy, poor appetite, vision problems, and changes in behavior.

Ways To Add Vitamin E To Your Dog’s Diet

Vitamin E is safe for a dog’s skin and health, but you may wonder how to add enough to your furry friend’s diet. There are a few options: feed a complete & balanced diet with healthy levels of Vitamin E and vitamin E supplements.

Most commercial dog food contains adequate amounts of vitamin E, but you may wish to supplement with whole foods for a balanced diet high in this important nutrient. Natural foods high in vitamin E that are good for dogs include:

Eggs
Salmon or rainbow trout
Organ meats
Spinach
Sunflower oil
Sweet potatoes
Peanut butter
Bell peppers
Blueberries
Broccoli
Peas

In general, it’s not necessary to incorporate vitamin E oil for dogs or specific vitamin E supplements unless instructed by your vet. Pet Honesty supplements and natural food sources are good places to get vitamin E for dogs.

Risks of Too Much Vitamin E

Too much vitamin E for dogs can be toxic, but it's unlikely to reach those levels. Your furry friend needs about 50 IU of vitamin E per kilogram of body weight, according to the Association of American Feed Control. That means a 10-pound dog will need about 225 IU of vitamin E every day, while a larger, 50-pound dog will need about 1,150 IU.

Signs of a vitamin E overdose include vomiting and diarrhea. If your dog is sick multiple times within a short period or exhibits other signs like a fever or lethargy, go to the veterinarian right away.

Avoid the Vitamin E Myths: Talk to Your Vet

There are many myths surrounding vitamin E for dogs, but the biggest is that it’s not necessary. While most dogs do not need supplements, some do. If your dog has skin allergies or conditions impacting the liver, eyes, or skin, talk to your vet about supplementing their diet with vitamin E.

Vitamin E supplements come in a variety of options for dogs. It can be given orally or applied topically to the skin, administered as an oil or chew. Whatever form you want to try, it's important to discuss it first with a veterinarian. They may prescribe a supplement or recommend adding human foods high in vitamin E to your pet's diet.

If your furry friend shows worrisome symptoms or isn’t getting a balanced diet, schedule a trip to the vet to talk about how Pet Honesty multivitamins may help your canine family member live a long, healthy life.