Introduction
Like our human kids, some days our dogs get into things they shouldn’t. We do our best to dog-proof our homes, but sometimes candy, food, or medications end up in reach and are too tempting for dogs to resist. One common item that finds its way into dogs’ mouths? Multivitamins or supplements.
With more and more people choosing to take vitamins and supplements daily or at least occasionally, having a bottle on the counter or forgetting a gummy on the floor could pose a risk to our four-legged family members. While not as common as food dangers such as chocolate or grapes, it’s still important to be aware of the effects of dogs ingesting vitamins meant for human consumption. If your dog ate a multivitamin gummy or a few, understanding potential toxicity levels, symptoms to watch for, and when to seek veterinary care can help protect your pup.
What Happens When Dogs Eat Vitamins
When dogs eat human vitamins, there is a risk of vitamin toxicity if they consume too much. The most common vitamins that can be toxic to dogs when consumed in excess include vitamin D, vitamin A, iron, and calcium. These vitamins are often found in higher amounts in human multivitamins and prenatal vitamins.
The potential side effects and risks of a dog eating too many vitamins include:
- Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling
- Loss of appetite, lethargy
- Increased thirst and urination
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Kidney or liver damage
The toxicity level depends on the type of vitamin, the size of the dog, and the amount ingested. Small dogs are at higher risk than larger dogs. Even one human multivitamin may cause vitamin toxicity in a small dog.
Vitamin Toxicity
Some vitamins can be toxic to dogs if consumed in large quantities. The most dangerous vitamins for dogs include:
- Vitamin D – Excessive Vitamin D causes a condition called hypercalcemia, resulting in symptoms like vomiting, lack of appetite, increased thirst and urination, drooling, weight loss, kidney failure, and even death. Toxic doses start around 2,000 IU per pound of body weight (FDA, VCA Hospitals).
- Vitamin A – Toxicity can occur above 100 IU per pound per day. Symptoms include bone abnormalities, liver damage, vision problems, and skin lesions (VCA Hospitals).
- Iron – Excess iron causes vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Toxicity can occur above 60 mg per pound (WagWalking).
Other fat-soluble vitamins like K and E can also cause toxicity at high doses. Water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C generally only cause mild stomach upset. Seek veterinary advice if your dog consumes more than the recommended daily amount of any vitamin.
Signs of Vitamin Toxicity
Some symptoms to watch out for if your dog eats too many vitamins include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Increased thirst and urination
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, vitamin A toxicity can result in vomiting, drowsiness, irritability, and skin peeling. Vitamin D poisoning may lead to increased respiratory rate, breathing difficulty, intestinal bleeding, and slow heart rate.
Pay close attention to any unusual symptoms after your dog eats vitamins, as the effects can become severe without swift veterinary treatment.
What to Do
If your dog ate vitamins, the first step is to contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control hotline immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so, as some vitamins can cause further damage coming back up.
Gather any packaging and have the vitamin bottle with you when you call. Be prepared to provide details on what type of vitamin was ingested, how many tablets or gummies, the dosage size, and your dog’s weight. This will help determine toxicity levels and treatment.
If instructed by your vet, they may advise you to induce vomiting at home using 3% hydrogen peroxide. Give your dog 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight, up to 3 tablespoons maximum. Vomiting should occur within 10-15 minutes.
Your vet may also recommend starting activated charcoal to help absorb any toxins still in the GI tract. This can be given 1 gram per kg of body weight every 6 hours. Do not induce vomiting after charcoal is given.
Most important is to get veterinary advice quickly after ingestion, as early treatment greatly improves outcomes. Call poison control or your vet with any concerns after eating vitamins, as they can advise the safest course of action.
Calling the Vet
It’s important to seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your dog ate one or more vitamin D pills. According to PetMD, any ingestion of vitamin D should be considered an emergency. Do not wait for symptoms to develop before contacting your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, as vitamin D toxicity can lead to kidney failure and death if untreated. Some signs that warrant an urgent vet visit include vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, lethargy, and constipation. Your vet will likely induce vomiting if ingestion was recent, and administer medications like calcitonin or steroids to help lower calcium levels. Your dog may need to stay at the animal hospital for several days to receive IV fluids and have calcium levels monitored. Early treatment greatly improves the chances of recovery.
Sources:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisons/my-dog-ate-a-vitamin-d-pill-now-what
https://wagwalking.com/condition/vitamins-poisoning
Treatment
Vets will treat vitamin toxicity by inducing vomiting and administering activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins in the dog’s system (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vitamin-a-toxicosis-in-dogs). The vet may also give fluids intravenously to help flush out the kidneys and support normal organ function.
If liver damage or bleeding disorders have occurred due to vitamin toxicity, the vet will provide supportive care such as a blood transfusion. They may also give vitamin K supplements to help with blood clotting (https://www.poison.org/). The vet will monitor blood work to ensure the dog’s organ function normalizes with treatment. Full recovery can take several weeks in severe toxicity cases.
Prevention
There are several tips to help prevent dogs from eating vitamins.
Store vitamins and supplements out of your dog’s reach, such as in a high cabinet they cannot access. Keep bottles closed tightly and dispose of any spilled pills right away.
Give your dog their vitamins mixed into their food or concealed in a treat, rather than free vitamins they could potentially grab and ingest more of. Only leave your dog alone with their measured dosage.
Use pill splitters and Pill Pockets to give smaller, easy to swallow doses your dog is less tempted to spit out. Monitor your dog after giving medications to ensure they swallowed it.
Keep your trash cans secure and regularly empty them so your dog isn’t tempted to rummage and eat discarded vitamin bottles or supplements.
Educate children and house guests to keep vitamins and medications put away and not accidentally leave them in reach.
Consider using baby locks if your curious dog manages to get into cabinets. Be vigilant when handling vitamins around your dog.
Talk to your vet about alternative methods of giving your dog necessary vitamins, such as powders that can mix into food or liquids.
Vitamin Alternatives
While human vitamins can be dangerous for dogs if consumed in large quantities, there are safer alternatives to supplement your dog’s diet. Here are some vet-recommended options:
Whole Foods: Instead of synthetic vitamins, opt for whole foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods like chicken liver, sardines, eggs, carrots, and sweet potatoes can provide natural sources of vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K.1
Fish Oil: Fish oil supplements are a great way to provide omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which support skin/coat health, joint function, heart health, and brain development. Choose a dog-specific fish oil made from salmon, anchovies, or sardines.2
Probiotics: Probiotic supplements can improve digestive and immune function by maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Look for dog probiotics with added prebiotics and multiple strains of beneficial bacteria.3
Joint Supplements: Chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM supplements can help dogs with arthritis by supporting cartilage, joint flexibility and mobility. Consult your vet on dosage and combination of ingredients.2
Always consult your veterinarian before giving any supplements to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your dog.
Conclusion
In summary, while eating the occasional vitamin gummy likely won’t cause major issues for your dog, it’s best to keep human vitamins out of your pup’s reach. Certain vitamins like iron and vitamin D can build up to toxic levels and cause concerning symptoms if consumed regularly. Call your vet if you notice any signs of vitamin toxicity after your dog gets into supplements.
Going forward, look for pet-safe vitamin alternatives made specifically for dogs. Or add nutritional boosts like fish oil, probiotics, or joint supplements to their meals instead. With some care and planning, you can give your furry friend all the vitamins they need without raiding the human medicine cabinet.