Overview

Supplementation with extra vitamin C is both popular and widespread among health-conscious people. However, unlike humans, dogs and cats manufacture their own vitamin C in the liver. Despite this fact, many pet owners and veterinarians continue to debate the need for extra dietary vitamin C in pets.

What Does Vitamin C Do?

Vitamin C is necessary for the production of proline and lysine, two amino acids necessary for the formation of a substance called collagen. Collagen is a primary constituent of bone, teeth, and connective tissue fibers, and is produced during skeletal growth and development. Most veterinarians believe that unless inadequate amounts of vitamin C are made by the liver, or there is an unusually high metabolic requirement, supplementation of the diet with vitamin C is unnecessary.

Vitamin C may occasionally be included in a pet food because of its ability to act as a natural antioxidant. However, its effectiveness as an antioxidant is limited unless it is combined with other antioxidants such as vitamin E.

How Does Vitamin C Affect My Pet’s Health?

There is some controversy about whether or not supplementation of a dog or cat diet with vitamin C is necessary, particularly during times of increased physical demands or stress. However, no studies at present support the need for vitamin C supplementation. In humans, the general belief is that vitamin C is, at best, beneficial and at worst, harmless. Vitamin C supplementation in dogs and cats is also relatively safe.

Unlike humans, however, vitamin C supplementation may be harmful under certain circumstances. For example, excess ascorbic acid is excreted in the urine as oxalate and elevated concentrations of urine oxalate may contribute to the formation of bladder stones in the urinary tract.

If you are feeding a nutritious, well-balanced diet to your dog or cat, there is likely no need to provide a vitamin C supplement.