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Daily Vitamin C supplementation is necessary to provide my dog or cat all these health benefits.
Fiction: It is true that humans and some animals, such as guinea pigs and monkeys, require Vitamin C. People lack the enzyme that is required to manufacture this vitamin independent of what we get in food and supplements. Dogs and cats, however, possess this enzyme and can synthesize Vitamin C on their own. Vitamin C deficiency in humans can result in bleeding gums and painful joints, and can reduce the body's ability to heal wounds. These symptoms occur in monkeys and guinea pigs if they do not receive Vitamin C, but do not occur in dogs and cats.
Because dogs and cats manufacture their own Vitamin C, there is no AAFCO recommendation for including Vitamin C in canine or feline diets or supplements. Even though dogs and cats do not require Vitamin C, many high-quality natural pet foods include it as a preservative. If you are feeding a raw diet, your pet is getting Vitamin C in any fruits or vegetables contained in the food. Additional Vitamin C supplementation over and above what your pet manufactures naturally and what may be in his food is simply more than he can possibly use.
My vet prescribed Vitamin C, so it must be safe to give my dog or cat on a daily basis.
Fiction: It is true that vets sometimes prescribe Vitamin C for specific health problems, even though studies are lacking that show effectiveness of Vitamin C for most conditions. There are some studies that show it may be effective for epilepsy, atopic dermatitis, feline leukemia virus, periodontal disease, and osteoarthritis. It is also helpful for animals being treated with steroid, aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory drugs, since they can lower the amount of Vitamin C in the body. Unfortunately, there are safety issues that must be considered.
Too much Vitamin C is extremely hard on the digestive system and can cause chronic diarrhea when given long-term. In fact, when vets prescribe Vitamin C, they usually advise dosages up to what is called the "bowel tolerance" dosage. In humans, high doses of Vitamin C can cause copper deficiency and excessive iron absorption. It is also contra-indicated in people with kjidney problems, as it may cause kidney stones when given over time.
Some forms of Vitamin C are better than others.
Fact: The best form of Vitamin C is that which the body manufactures itself. Next to that, natural forms of Vitamin C from healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, and green foods is best. If you are determined to give a manufactured Vitamin C supplement in the form of a powder, tablet, or capsule, Ester-C is better tolerated than Ascorbic Acid. That is because Ester-C is absorbed more quickly and has less time to irritate the intestinal tract.
ŠPets by Nature 2005 | 
