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Tag: Science

  • I Watched Pet Fooled So You Don’t Have To: Part One

    I Watched Pet Fooled So You Don’t Have To: Part One

    Pet Fooled is a documentary that gained popularity in 2016 and has resurfaced on social media, drawing renewed attention. Pet parents worldwide are streaming it on platforms like Netflix and YouTube, prompting many to modify their pets’ diets based on the documentary’s content. Having never seen it, I watched Pet Fooled so you don’t have to.

    Why did I do this? Numerous veterinarians and researchers have voiced their opinions on “Pet Fooled,” but the consensus is overwhelmingly negative. They argue that it is misleading and riddled with inaccuracies, leading pet owners down the wrong path when it comes to feeding their pets.

    On the other side of the spectrum, many pet owners, natural pet stores, influencers, and a handful of fringe holistic practitioners praise and endorse the documentary.

    I was curious to understand the reasons behind the hype surrounding Pet Fooled. If you choose to watch it with me, I highly recommend going into it with an open mind AND a healthy dose of skepticism.

    Here is what I learned from watching Pet Fooled.

    Note: This is a multi-part series! Additional articles in this series will be posted below.

    Part One: “Biologically appropriate” feeding, bacteria & pathogens in raw food, and the influence of “big kibble” on veterinary schools (See Part One HERE)

    Part Two: Pet food marketing, ingredients in pet food (including corn and by-products), manufacturing, AAFCO, and FDA regulations (See Part Two HERE)

    Part Three: Pet food recalls, veterinary diets, and holistic pet food elitism (See Part Three HERE)

    pexels blue bird 7210754

    What is the Pet Fooled Documentary?

    “Pet Fooled” is a documentary film released in 2016 that examines the commercial pet food industry and advocates for alternative feeding practices for pets.

    The film raises concerns about the ingredients and nutritional quality of mass-produced pet foods and suggests that they may be harmful to pets’ health.

    “Pet Fooled” includes discussions with holistic veterinarians and pet owners who provide their insights into the pet food industry and its impact on pet health. They advocate for alternative feeding methods for pets, and ask pet owners to “do more research”.

    What Veterinarians are Featured in Pet Fooled?

    1. Dr. Karen Becker:
      • Qualifications: Dr. Becker is a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
      • Her passion lies primarily in wildlife rehabilitation.
      • Background: She is known for her holistic approach to pet health and has authored several books on pet care and nutrition. In addition, she has courses, a community, and an online shop where pet parents can purchase content, supplements, and food.
      • She is well known for her association with quack Dr. Mercola and controversial journalist Rodney Habib
    2. Dr. Barbara Royal:
      • Qualifications: Dr. Royal is a veterinarian with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
      • Background: She specializes in holistic veterinary medicine and is the founder and owner of The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center in Chicago.
      • Dr. Barbara Royal has authored a book where she shares her holistic approach to pet care, offering insights and advice on nutrition, preventive medicine, and holistic healing for pets.
    3. Dr. Lisa Pierson:
      • Qualifications: Dr. Pierson is a veterinarian who earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
      • Background: She is a strong advocate for raw feeding and specializes in feline nutrition.
      • Dr. Pierson runs a popular website dedicated to feline nutrition education.

    It’s important to note that all the veterinarians showcased in “Pet Fooled” adhere to the “Holistic” and “Integrative” pet care philosophy, a perspective criticized for its tendency to reject mainstream scientific practices, avoid evidence-based approaches, and represent a minority opinion within the veterinary community.

    All three veterinarians who are interviewed in Pet Fooled also work as influencers, generating income through the sale of items such as food, supplements, online courses, memberships, and books. It’s crucial to recognize this aspect, as their viewpoints may be influenced by their financial interests.

    8

    My Approach to Watching and Debunking Pet Fooled

    As a proponent of science and a staunch advocate for evidence-based veterinary practices, I anticipated watching Pet Fooled might be challenging. I decided that it was important for me to keep an open mind, as many people love this film.

    I leashed up my muscular, athletic little Purina-fed dog, put the documentary on my headphones (podcast style), and started on the trail for an hour-long walk with Dr. Karen Becker in my ear.

    This allowed me to digest the information without frantically scribbling notes. My feet pounded the pavement as I took in every bit of classical music and the words that were fed to me in the documentary.

    Don’t worry, I later sat down to properly watch it, too. The visual aspect of Pet Fooled is part of its message, and I wanted to be prepared for it.

    Pet Fooled presents controversial narratives and makes a lot of questionable claims to support their position that kibble is unsafe, unhealthy, and not nutritious.

    Pet owners who wish to be fully educated about nutrition should continue reading below because I’m going to break this down and cite my sources. Dig in…

    1 2

    Raw Dogging Raw Dog Food

    Author’s Note: This article is not meant to be a kibble vs. raw debate, but I did feel it important to address the claims made in Pet Fooled. As always, talk to your veterinarian and feed what works best for your pet and family.

    In the film, Dr. Karen Becker is seen using bare hands to handle raw pet food from the company “Northwest Naturals” as she prepares meals for several dogs and cats in her home. A similar scene is repeated a few minutes later, when Dr. Barbara Royal is introduced to us while giving her excited, happy dog his dinner.

    It’s long been proven that raw meat, including that used in raw dog food, can contain bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Listeria monocytogenes, which may cause illness in both dogs and humans.

    Dr. Barbara Royal pulls a package of Darwin’s Raw Pet food out of a bag and says to her dog “Do you know why you don’t look 12 years old? Because your parents feed you EXCELLENT food…”

    Once her dog is finished eating its Darwin raw food meal, Dr. Royal gets on the floor and lets her pet lick her face.

    She says “Do I worry about them eating raw food and then licking me? No. I do not. [laughs]. Because the fact is, there aren’t any pathogens in that raw food. Because they’re careful with it.”

    So there it is. The first blatantly misleading and false statement in Pet Fooled.

    The truth is that Darwin’s Natural Pet Products has had a sordid history of recalls due to contamination with pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes (this topic alone requires an entire blog post).

    They have been in trouble with the FDA for refusing to recall contaminated products, too. 1

    The food seen in the film being fed by Dr. Becker, Northwest Naturals, was recalled in 20182 because of Listeria monocytogenes.

    Recalls for bacterial contamination in pet foods are not uncommon. Controlling pathogens requires exceptional quality control, especially for raw brands.

    Dogs can sometimes handle these bacteria without showing symptoms, but they can still shed them in their feces, posing a risk of transmission to humans. 3

    The vast majority of veterinarians express concerns about raw diets due to the potential for contamination, which can have detrimental effects on both pets and their owners. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) advises against feeding raw diets precisely because of these risks.4

    Dr. Becker claims that the dog’s acidic stomach is there to neutralize bacteria. However, numerous reports and studies show that dogs fed contaminated food will shed those bacteria in their saliva and stool. Those bacteria are not, in fact, “neutralized” but rather, are alive and well.

    One study found that human stomachs are more acidic than dog stomachs!

    @erdvm

    MISINFO MONDAY : dogs and salmonella -dogs stomachs are acidic, but humans are more acidic. Humans can get salmonella, which tells us the pH of a stomach isn’t the whole picture -bacteria like salmonella have found ways to evade the acidic environment of the stomach, making gastric pH alone irrelevant -asymptomatic dogs can and do shed salmonella, meaning it’s not killed by the stomach -there is no evidence that raw fed dogs have any immunity to this. The case I saw was a raw fed dog and it did not survive. One health tells us we shouldn’t just focus on the pet, but the owner as well. Salmonella is infectious to humans and we should be stewarts of health!

    ♬ original sound – Emergency Veterinarian

    Not even 10 minutes into the film, I already have so many questions. The laissez-faire approach to bacterial contamination, especially coming from veterinarians (who should be very averse to disease and pathogens because they know what it can do to the body) surprised me.

    This doesn’t even touch on the subtle product placement. It could be interpreted as a clear endorsement for those companies, with both veterinarians and the producers likely receiving substantial compensation for featuring them in the film.

    I did try to watch this with an open mind, so I moved on from the misleading nature of those scenes and continued my journey with “Pet Fooled”.

    10

    Biologically Appropriate Diets for Dogs

    In the next section of the Pet Fooled, the topic of “biologically-appropriate” or “species-appropriate” diets is brought up.

    Dr. Karen Becker is a wildlife rehabilitation veterinarian, known for her expertise in treating and caring for injured and orphaned wild animals.

    Wild animals have very different dietary needs from domesticated animals. By its very nature, domestication changes animal’s gut microbiome and how they digest and utilize foods that are available to them.

    Genome studies are showing that domestic dogs have adapted to a diet that includes starches. 5

    In Pet Fooled, Dr. Becker claims that dogs “come from wolves and should eat a raw meat diet“, as if all of our pets were wild animals living in our homes.

    I went digging for the science on this one. Exciting innovations in genome research have brought us a lot of new information about our pets’ ancestors, and researchers have found that domesticated pet dogs need a different diet than wolves. 6

    The idea of a raw all-meat feast loaded with by-products (liver, bone, kidney) inspired by our dog’s wild ancestors seems nice until you consider that pet dogs live their lives indoors and don’t have to hunt and fight for their food every day.

    Dr. Becker ultimately states that feeding pets a “non-biologically appropriate diet” (aka, kibble) as a type of “nutritional abuse.“

    The implication that the majority of pet owners worldwide are “abusing their pets” by feeding them kibble is significant. It’s sensational, misleading, and disingenuous.

    She explains that wolves and dogs share 99% of the same DNA. To put this into perspective, humans and chimps share 99% of the same DNA too, but you don’t see many humans consuming raw mice, raw monkeys, roots, bark, soil, and insects.

    Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the majority of raw pet food diets do not include scavenged trash, rodents, beavers, squirrels, insects, or other dogs (wolves will eat their dead). This is important to acknowledge, especially considering the “biologically appropriate” principle often cited by advocates of raw feeding.

    Domestication changes the gut and eating habits. Thanks to science, humans have benefitted from cooking and a sophisticated supply chain that offers us a wider variety of foods than ever before.

    Raw vs. Kibble Nutritional Research

    Dr. Becker suggests that the absence of research proving raw food to be the superior diet is due to “a lack of funding.” This deficiency in research is cited as one of the reasons why veterinarians refrain from recommending raw diets, alongside concerns about bacterial contamination risks.

    She then goes on to mention that kibble companies have “not produced research proving that kibble is nutritious and healthful“, but they have.

    Purina, Hill’s, and Royal Canin have poured millions of dollars into dedicated research not just for nutrition, but veterinary science as well.

    Purina sells one of the only foods on the market (Dog Chow) backed by a lifetime feeding study, and this is just one of thousands of studies done on pets and their nutritional needs.

    Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs – AVMA Publications.7

    One raw pet food company, Instinct, is aiming to address this by putting funds towards researching raw diets. This is a promising move in the right direction, away from speculation and anecdotes, but far from robust.

    10 1

    Do Major Kibble Companies Influence Veterinary Classes?

    Pet Fooled boldly states that big kibble manufacturers have a significant presence in veterinary schools, influencing the curriculum and shaping students’ perceptions of pet nutrition.

    The narrator goes on to mention that there is a lack of education on raw diets in veterinary schools, too. Of course there, is, there isn’t much (if any) legitimate research proving that raw is safe and nutritious.

    Because Pet Fooled only shared one side of this discussion, I’m going to share the other.

    While the extent of industry influence remains a subject of contention, transparency and critical evaluation of educational materials are essential to uphold the integrity of veterinary education.

    Understanding pet nutrition necessitates a foundation in science and research, and with rare exceptions, it is the major kibble manufacturers that are actively engaged in these endeavors.

    Numerous peer-reviewed publications by these companies have contributed a wealth of information, ranging from strategies for treating bladder stones to mitigating the risk of bone growth issues in puppies.

    Isn’t that what we want our up-and-coming veterinarians to be learning about?

    Advocates for raw feeding could occupy a similar platform and impart peer-reviewed research and knowledge to veterinary schools; however, they choose not to.

    Throwing stones at veterinary schools, practicing veterinarians, and major kibble companies without constructive contributions does little to support their argument.

    Here is a great video from a veterinarian about this topic:

    @erdvm

    I was tagged in this video, and as always I’ll hide the face/account. This is a fairly typical string of half truths and full out misinformation. They claim vets get one day of nutrition education, that it’s taught by certain pet food companies, and that we’re all owned by a corporate entity. Nutrition is more than a class – it’s the fifth vital sign. To say that nutrition isn’t a part of EVERY class shows a misunderstanding of both nutrition AND vet school education. A simple search will show most curriculums have a semester of nutrition, and those that don’t supplement it through other classes and clinics. It’s always so interesting that these people claim vets are somehow bought and sold by these companies, yet don’t extend the same blame to their discount codes or owning an actual food store. They directly profit off their misinformation, but vets are seen as the bad guy. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing me debunk these myths but they just don’t go away. They find some new way to spin the tired old lie. Why? They have no science or studies to back up their point of view, so they have to attack veterinarians and discredit us.

    ♬ original sound – Emergency Veterinarian

    Controversial Claims Made in Pet Fooled

    This concludes part one of my series on the Pet Fooled Documentary!

    I’ve summarized the key claims from part one below:

    1. Raw feeding is inherently safer and healthier than feeding kibble: While raw feeding advocates argue that it mimics a more natural diet for pets, there is insufficient scientific evidence to conclusively support the superiority of raw diets over commercial pet foods. Additionally, raw diets can pose risks such as bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances if not carefully formulated and prepared.
    2. Veterinary education is biased by pet food companies: While it’s important to recognize potential conflicts of interest, suggesting that pet food companies universally bias veterinary education oversimplifies the complex relationships between academia, industry, and professional organizations. Veterinary curricula typically include a broad range of nutritional education, including discussions on different types of pet diets.

    These claims are contentious because they oversimplify complex issues and lack robust scientific evidence to support them.

    It’s essential for pet owners to critically evaluate information presented in documentaries like “Pet Fooled” and consult with qualified veterinary professionals before making significant changes to their pets’ diets.

    Note: This is a multi-part series! Additional articles in this series will be posted below.

    Part One: “Biologically appropriate” feeding, bacteria & pathogens in raw food, and the influence of “big kibble” on veterinary schools (See Part One HERE)

    Part Two: Pet food marketing, ingredients in pet food (including corn and by-products), manufacturing, AAFCO, and FDA regulations (See Part Two HERE)

    Part Three: Pet food recalls, veterinary diets, and holistic pet food elitism (See Part Three HERE)

    Footnotes

    1. FDA Advisory to Pet Parents about Darwin’s Raw Pet Food
      October, 2023 ↩︎
    2. FDA Recall Alert: Northwest Naturals Raw Food
      February, 2018 ↩︎
    3. Merck Veterinary Manual
      Salmonellosis in Animals
      ↩︎
    4. AVMA Policy on Raw Diets
      ↩︎
    5. Axelsson, E., Ratnakumar, A., Arendt, ML. et al. The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet. Nature 495, 360–364 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11837 ↩︎
    6. Diet Shaped Dog Domestication, Elizabeth Pennissi, 2013
      “Genomic analysis reveals that dogs and humans walked similar evolutionary paths” ↩︎
    7. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs ↩︎
  • Is Vitamin C for Puppies Good or Bad?

    Is Vitamin C for Puppies Good or Bad?

    In the world of puppy care, the practice of giving vitamin C to treat knuckling or carpal laxity has been a long-standing tradition. However, some veterinary journals suggest that this practice may be outdated and potentially harmful. This article aims to provide a thorough examination of the history, pros and cons, dosing information, and recommendations for pet owners considering vitamin C supplementation for their puppies.

    This blog is especially important for those who own large or giant breed puppies such as Great Danes, as they are particularly susceptible to growth disorders affecting their orthopedic structure for life!

    In this blog we will discuss:

    • Vitamin C as a treatment for puppy knuckling
    • The health benefits of Vitamin C for puppies
    • New research on bone health and optimal nutrition
    • The cons of giving Vitamin C to puppies
    • Which form of Vitamin C to choose, if you use it
    • Vitamin C dosing for Puppies
    31

    Are Vitamin C Supplements Beneficial for Puppies?

    A quick Google search turns up countless blog posts on this topic, but few answers are backed by legitimate science and research.

    The tradition of administering vitamin C to puppies stems from a belief in its potential benefits for joint health, particularly in large and giant breeds. Vitamin C plays a key role in collagen production and may play a supportive role in joint health. Proponents also believe that it can boost the immune system and act as an anti-inflammatory.

    To further understand if that is beneficial, it’s helpful to know how Vitamin C works for dogs in the first place.

    Dogs synthesize Vitamin C in their liver, all on their own, creating around 18mg of Vitamin C for every pound of their body weight.

    In other words, it is extremely unlikely for a dog to be deficient in Vitamin C, because they make it themselves.

    Can Dogs Get Scurvy?

    Scurvy is a condition caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C, which plagued pirates and travelers who spent extended periods at sea without access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

    The link between citrus fruits and scurvy prevention in humans was discovered in the 18th century by James Lind, a Scottish naval surgeon.

    While it’s theoretically possible for dogs to experience scurvy, the likelihood is exceedingly low, thanks to their natural ability to produce vitamin C without relying on dietary supplements. In this way, dogs and cats differ from humans!

    If a dog is suffering from symptoms that mimic or could be scurvy, veterinary diagnostics are needed to sort out the root cause of the deficiency.

    16 1

    Carpal Laxity Knuckling and Vitamin C Supplementation

    Many pet owners administer vitamin C to their puppies with the belief, rooted in the practices of breeders and fellow pet owners, that it can prevent or even address the issue of puppies knuckling over.

    Carpal Laxity, commonly known as “knuckling over,” occurs when a puppy undergoes rapid growth that outpaces the development of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Consequently, the feet may either knuckle over or lose support at the ankle and toe joints and fall flat.

    This condition is understandably alarming to pet parents! It can also be common, especially among young large and giant breed dogs during their explosive growth stages.

    Breeders and enthusiasts frequently recommend Vitamin C as a preventive or treatment measure for this condition. However, the question remains: is this practice genuinely beneficial, or is it rooted in anecdotal beliefs?

    I’m not convinced it’s something we should be doing for every dog. It may be a harmful practice! Let’s dive into this.

    The Dangers of Over-Supplementation in Pet Diets

    Excessive supplementation in pet diets poses significant risks to the health and well-being of our furry companions.

    While certain vitamins and minerals are essential for their proper growth and development, an overdose can lead to adverse effects. Over-supplementation, whether intentional or unintentional, may result in toxicity, causing symptoms ranging from digestive issues to more severe complications such as organ damage.

    While some argue that over-supplementation merely leads to “expensive pee,” the reality is that at times it can translate to costly veterinary bills.

    For example, there is a reason that excess vitamin D in pet food has resulted in multiple recalls from pet food companies (including Hill’s, Fromm, Simply Nourish, and others). Excess vitamin D is toxic to dogs.

    Just because something is “natural” and sounds healthy, doesn’t mean that it is.

    Is Too Much Vitamin C Toxic For Dogs?

    Vitamin C does act as an ANTI-oxidant. Antioxidants prevent cell damage, and that’s a wonderful benefit.

    However, according to the veterinarians at Tufts University, excess Vitamin C (too much of it) will have the opposite effect.

    When given in large amounts, Vitamin C can become a PRO-oxidant! Instead of fighting oxidation, it begins to promote oxidation and thus, lead to cell damage.

    (Read more about Vitamin C and cell damage in this article from Tufts University HERE).

    What I’m trying to get at here is that the blind practice of giving large and giant breed puppies Vitamin C as a “preventative” may be misguided and worse, damaging.

    Of course, one data point on this topic isn’t enough. I want to see the research! So I dug some more.

    25

    Cons of Vitamin C for Puppies Joint Health

    In my research, I found four additional problems with giving puppies high levels of vitamin C!

    Calcium Oxalate Stones

    When the body has an abundance of vitamin C, it metabolizes into oxalate, a compound that, when combined with calcium, can lead to the development of these stones in the urinary tract.

    Calcium Oxalate Stones pose a serious health concern for dogs, as they can obstruct urinary passages, causing discomfort, pain, and potential complications.

    Chronic Loose Stools & Digestive Upset

    When provided more than their body needs, abundant vitamin C can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach discomfort, or vomiting.

    Advocates for providing puppies with high levels of vitamin C often suggest resolving potential digestive issues by dividing the dose across multiple meals. Yet, considering the inherent sensitivity of puppy stomachs and the prevalence of chronic digestive problems in many young pups, one may question the wisdom of this practice.

    A lot of pet owners modify their puppies’ diet and incorporate various home remedies into their food to address persistent loose stools and stomach upset. In many of these cases, the culprit behind these issues might have been Vitamin C.

    Excess Calcium in the Blood

    Here is where things become sticky. Science tells us, without question, that excess calcium is damaging to puppies’ bones and joints as they grow. Calcium is an incredibly important mineral that is necessary for bone growth and health, but too much is devastating.

    This is a big reason we advocate for using WSAVA-compliant food brands that control their foods’ calcium and phosphorus levels very well.

    Large and giant breed puppies should receive no more than 3.5g per 1000 kCal of calcium in their diet. For most foods, that means the calcium needs to be at 1.2% or less, with phosphorus closely matched.

    Studies have shown that puppies with an excess of calcium in their bloodstream are highly prone to developing profoundly abnormal joints as they grow.

    One study showed that giving Ascorbic Acid to puppies that were suffering from HOD (hypertrophic osteodystrophy) correlated with an increase in their calcium levels.

    For puppies already experiencing the effects of over-nutrition and high calcium from their diet, vitamin C made it worse.

    Overnutrition and Rapid Growth

    Rapid growth and hasty bone modeling are significant indicators of potential orthopedic issues in large and giant breed puppies. The long-term effects of their puppy diet become evident, particularly in adulthood.

    It’s logical to assume that doubling or even tripling the quantity of a specific nutrient in the diet can lead to issues. The intricate process of tissue, bone, cartilage, and tendon creation is highly susceptible to negative influences when the body receives improper nutrition.

    Amino acids, vitamins, and minerals all play pivotal roles in the functions of growth, bone mineralization, and modeling. What’s more, they all work together. Some cannot function without the other.

    Excessive amounts of any of these key elements may have adverse effects, no matter how ‘nice’ and ‘harmless’ a simple nutrient (such as vitamin C) may sound.

    15

    Do Puppies Excrete Excess Vitamin C?

    Faced with this information, many individuals argue that animals, including humans, will excrete the excess Vitamin C through urine, suggesting that over-supplementation poses no problem.

    The belief here is often guided by the notion of “no harm, no foul.” This notion is often reinforced by the anecdotal favorite response of “Well, my dogs were given this, and they are perfectly fine.“

    While it’s true that some portion of the excess is eliminated through urine, particularly for vitamins with low bioavailability that won’t be effectively absorbed or utilized, we must acknowledge that over-supplementation has been proven to cause certain conditions.

    This raises the question of “when is it too much?”

    Irrespective of the dosage, there are established conditions linked to the excessive intake of vitamins, even those considered “safe”, like vitamin C.

    Every pet owner should conduct a risk-benefit analysis to ensure informed decision-making.

    If over-dosing could easily lead to cell damage, urinary stones, and an excess of calcium in the blood, it raises questions about whether Vitamin C is as beneficial a supplement as it was once believed to be.

    2 1

    Does Vitamin C Prevent Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?

    The role of Vitamin C in preventing hip dysplasia in dogs is not conclusively supported by scientific evidence.

    I’m sorry to say, but it just isn’t. There are thousands upon thousands of veterinary studies, journals, and research out there and there isn’t anything supporting the use of Vitamin C as a preventative for hip dysplasia or any other bone growth disorder.

    Genetic factors, nutrition, and proper care play crucial roles in hip dysplasia prevention.

    Similar to most bone growth disorders such as Panosteitis, knuckling over, HOD, Retained Cartilage Cores, etc., the development of these conditions is frequently influenced by excess calcium and over-nutrition.

    Hip dysplasia is genetically linked, and dogs with a predisposition are potentially at an even greater risk when exposed to preventable environmental factors.

    In my research on Vitamin C supplements for puppies, I’ve discovered that providing excessive amounts may have adverse effects. Puppies given an excess of vitamin C may experience elevated levels of calcium, which can be detrimental. Read more from the Vet Chick, HERE.

    7

    Does Vitamin C Prevent or Treat Knuckling Over in Puppies?

    If you’ve made it this far into my article here, you probably realize what I am going to say.

    Chances are, no.

    Observations regarding the potential effects of Vitamin C treatment on puppy knuckling are anecdotal and rooted in correlation rather than established causation.

    For example, if a puppy never experiences a growth problem (such as carpal laxity), a pet owner or breeder may believe that the supplementation of Vitamin C has played a role in its prevention.

    In a different example, a puppy exhibiting knuckling over may have shown rapid improvement upon the addition of vitamin C to its diet. It would be easy to believe that Vitamin C had resulted in the improvement.

    However, other contributing factors such as alterations in the diet fed, reduced overall stress levels, a better feeding routine, the puppy maturing out of it naturally, and improved practices in caring for the puppy’s joints, likely played a role in the observed recovery.

    Considering that a genuine diagnosis of scurvy is highly improbable for dogs, it becomes evident that vitamin C deficiency is not the root cause of the symptoms. If it’s not the underlying cause, the question arises: why is it being employed as a preventative or treatment?

    17 1

    Are There Benefits to Giving Vitamin C to Puppies?

    There can be some benefits to vitamin C supplementation, yes!

    It is well understood that while dogs make their vitamin C in their livers, their reserves of it may be depleted by stressful events such as extreme exercise (sled dogs and greyhound racing, for example), changes in the home environment (new home, leaving the litter), and medical procedures (including ear cropping).

    Nevertheless, since the advantages of supplementing in these scenarios lack conclusive evidence, such practices may serve little more than to provide a sense of reassurance for the pet parent.

    It’s important to highlight one study that found giving racing greyhounds vitamin C had the opposite effect as desired. It slowed them down!

    For me, the combination of a lack of scientific proof, paired with numerous data points showing the potential problems, makes me question the practice of giving puppies Vitamin C supplements.

    With an appropriate diet and adequate care at home or in a veterinary environment, dogs can effectively replenish their depleted vitamin C levels on their own.

    Does Vitamin C Prevent Cancer in Dogs

    Some research has shown that vitamin C may have a positive effect on cancer prevention and outcomes. However, this has not yet become well understood, nor has it been well replicated in human (or dog) models.

    Many researchers speculate, based on their studies, that the role of Vitamin C in cancer prevention will ultimately be disappointing. In other words, it is unlikely to be more beneficial and less harmful than other therapies and treatments.

    Practitioners in alternative medicine frequently advocate for the use of vitamins, including Vitamin C, in preventing health conditions, despite limited evidence supporting their effectiveness. It’s not uncommon for them to position things like Vitamin C as a magical cure-all with numerous benefits.

    This creates a challenge in distinguishing between factual information and speculation, as opinions within this field often diverge and contradict each other.

    While Vitamin C may have some potential benefits in cancer prevention, it’s important to recognize that it’s unlikely to be a miraculous cure-all.

    10

    What is the Best Form of Vitamin C to Give Puppies?

    The best form of Vitamin C for puppies is a nutritious diet.

    I’m not kidding! If you are feeding a well-balanced, nutritious diet formulated for large or giant breed growth, that’s all your puppy needs. (For information on recommendations for feeding large and giant breed puppies, read here).

    If you want to provide nutritious foods that contain vitamin C, consider offering fresh, whole foods as a boost instead of commercially available Vitamin C supplements. Adding fresh foods to the diet can have other benefits, too, such as increasing fiber intake and reducing the risk of bloat.

    Some examples of dog-safe foods that contain vitamin C include:

    Remember to keep healthy toppers like this to less than 10% of the diet, or less than 5% of the diet if under the age of 8-12 months.

    This is important because your pet needs balanced nutrition to support their overall health; too many extras can cause problems with the intake of other important nutrients, amino acids, and minerals.

    7 3

    Final Verdict – Is Vitamin C Beneficial?

    I don’t think it’s the most harmful practice, but I’m not convinced it’s necessary or truly helpful, either.

    Having now read some of the actual research in-depth myself, I will not be giving Vitamin C supplements to future puppies. Many veterinarians would agree with me; a lot of them consider this practice outdated and without merit.

    Millions of people have given their big pups up to 1500mg/day of Vitamin C and seem to have suffered no ill effects. However, how can we know for sure? We don’t, and that mystery is what gives me pause.

    Depending on the pup’s current weight at dosing, 1500mg can be 2-4x what their body produces, and needs, naturally.

    The form of Vitamin C used can affect how much is used in the body, too. Esther C is commonly seen as the most bioavailable form; however, it includes calcium. We know unnecessary and additional calcium in the diet is damaging.

    In assessing all of that, I’ve come to realize that it may just not be worth the money or the potential risk. We have no legitimate or scientific proof that Vitamin C supplements do much at all to help with certain conditions (such as knuckling over and dysplasia) and plenty of proof that it may be harmful.

    Do you believe that large and giant breed puppies should always receive vitamin C supplementation in their diet? Leave a comment below!