Vitamin D Facts

Vitamin D facts, also scientifically known as calciferol (or cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol, calcitrol) is a vitamin that dissolves easily in fat tissues.

It is normally found in several foods and this is the primary source for dogs.

Vitamin D can be found in various forms taking different activities. The two main ones from food or supplements are Vitamin D2 and D3.

• Vitamin D2 (25-hydroxy vitamin D)
• Vitamin D3 (also 25-hydroxy vitamin D, but slightly different)

Just to make it a hole lot more difficult, other names are used as well. Vitamin D2 is called ergocalciferol and D3 called cholecalciferol.

These forms are found in the blood and are inactive inside the body. To measure if there is sufficient of vitamin d in the body,these are the ones often used as markers.

For D2 and D3 to become active they need to be converted to its active hormone from activation first in the liver and then in the kidneys.

The end product is the active vitamin d.

Finally at the end you can say, this one is called 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D or calcitriol.

Effects Of Vitamin D

Vitamin D facts include its primary body activity of keeping optimum levels of phosphorus and calcium in the bloodstream. It promotes better absorption of calcium from the intestines and into the body resulting in strong bones and bone structure.

Vitamin D also interacts in the kidneys where calcium reabsorbtion is increased.

Lack of Vitamin D may result in poor, brittle, and deformed bones in the body. Sufficient levels of Vitamin D mitigate rickets in young dogs and osteomalacia in older dogs, skeletal illnesses that diminishes the strength of bones.

Nutritional Vitamin D Facts

Regarding the dosage of vitamin d in food, there is a general consensus around 500 IU pr kg of dog food. Toxic levels can been seen if more than 2500 IU pr kg food. If given for some time. Not days, more likely weeks.

If you are using some commercial dog food it is not likely to develop low level of d vitamin.

This was much more common before, but these days its rarely seen.

But still, you have to be aware of it. Especially if you cook your own dog food and fast growing big dog.

Some breeds are more phone to this condition than others.

Fast growing dogs are much more sensible to calcium, phosphorus or vitamin d imbalances. Much should be done in a relatively short time.

Its much more likely that you give too much vitamin d instead. Just to be sure its enough vitamin d in the food you overcompensate.

If too much vitamin d is ingested in a fast growing breed this can alter the maturation of the cartilage cells. This is osteochondrosis.

So, I wish you to be aware of this.

Normally, I do do not have any problem at all using home made dog food. But, if you have a fast growing breed, there is no room for mistakes. I rather prefer that you use some nutritional balanced commercial diet to avoid any bone problems.

It should be a diet suitable for the seize of your dog.

This is especially important in the first 6-8 months. After this period you can relax a little. But until your dog is fully grown and the skeleton has matured, you should be careful feeding the right food and the right amount.