Vitamin E for Dogs: Uses & Benefits

Vitamin E has a lot of helpful benefits and effectivity that transcends to other mammalian species other than humans alone. Vitamin E, as we know it, is incredibly essential for the wellbeing of dogs, helping them to sustain an active lifestyle. This article centers on deciphering just how important vitamin E is to dogs, and how it can be implemented for major health benefits – but first, we’ll take a brief look at what vitamin E really is, and with the essential information gotten from its backstory, we can better explain its uses and benefits.

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is an essential component needed to maintain the working functionalities of several organs in the body.  In general, it is an antioxidant, which has the sole aim of eliminating agents in the body that function through oxidation, and damage cells. This is the major reason why vitamin E is referred to a mandatory vitamin needed for keeping the cells, and organs of a living body in good condition. It is also known to be extremely soluble in fat and is actively present in a lot of foods that are regularly eaten. Some of which include fruits, vegetables, eggs, and many others. Furthermore, it also exists in the form of supplements, used where there are deficiencies in vitamin E as a whole and poses great effectiveness at subsiding major illnesses, and this is because Vitamin E is said to have properties that actively fights off deficiencies, as well as memory loss, while also aiding in formation of blood cells, and many others. As important as Vitamin E is to the human body, it is also interestingly important to dogs as well, and we’ll look at some reasons why.

Uses of Vitamin E for Dogs

Stating briefly, the use of vitamin E will explain how and why it is essential to the wellbeing of a dog. Looking adeptly, there are many reasons why this vitamin is essential, but the major sum is that there are a lot of activities going on in your pup’s body, that only Vitamin E can act as a curbing solution. In your dog’s body, free radicals are constantly being formed, which happens under normal body procedures happening. Free radicals, better explained, are a combinations of atoms that wield oxygen, but sadly, this could pose many threats to the wellbeing of the body. The oxygen that these free radicals possess are known to deter the state of the cells, proteins which have been formed, as well as the state of many other parts of the body. There is no way to coherently stop the formation of these radicals, as they form due to normal metabolic processes, and are also formed at a high rate either when your dog is sick, or going through many other challenges.

Additionally, free radicals in your dog’s body, which later damage the cells, could lead to a lot of illnesses such as heart diseases, cancer, and many others. This essentially brings up the dire need of the presence of an antidote to derail the harmful effects of the free radicals in a dog’s body. The only antidote is the presence of antioxidants. Antioxidants are active at deterring the cell-damaging processes that free radicals cause. Vitamin E, like mentioned earlier, is an antioxidant, pointing to the fact that vitamin E for dogs is essentially needed. It doesn’t just stop the deterring effects of the free radicals, but is also useful to improve and sustain the working functionalities of various parts of a dog’s body, including its organs.

Firstly, we have to understand that Vitamin E is used to help support the immune system of dogs. We know that the free radicals in the body cause a lot of harm leading to certain illnesses, and insightfully, vitamin E doesn’t just stop these processes from occurring, but actively builds up the immune system in many dogs, to maintain a standard of deterring and preventing such illnesses or diseases from manifesting in a dog’s body. Another thing to note is that free radicals are produced at a magnified rate as all dogs get older. This means that the older a dog gets, the more this vitamin will be required as a strong defense mechanism to help its body fight off sicknesses. In this case, vitamin E is essential to ensure that older dogs don’t encounter detrimental health conditions and can also be used for taking care of dogs that have given birth, to boost their immune system, and help for proper recuperation. Find out more about supplements for older dogs here.

Additionally, Vitamin E is used for in dogs is for the health of their skin. UV rays are known to deter the health of a dog’s skin, and also actively removes the presence of Vitamin E in the skin. This means that the skin’s vital fighting force has been deteriorated, causing the skin to lack its natural luster and create a dull appearance with the skin.

No doubt, this vitamin is essential for your dogs on this topic as it helps a great deal to build up a protective layer, and rejuvenate the skin in such circumstances. Vitamin E for dogs’ skin cannot be overemphasized, as the health of the skin ensures the health of the entire body. On the advent when certain skin conditions arise, perhaps a dry or itchy skin, or any other condition, it is known to be a curbing force to such problem. This can be used in the form of Vitamin E oil for dogs, which can be applied onto the skin as a helpful remedy.

Benefits of Vitamin E for Dogs

We have looked at the various cases where vitamin E can be used, however, it is also vital to consider as a whole, the benefits of vitamin E for dogs.

• Builds up muscles

Vitamin E has been known to build up muscles in dogs, giving them the necessary strength and energy to carry out their activities. This is essential, at the same time, beneficial to dogs of all breeds and ages, as it is also mandatory for the strengthening of dogs’ joints, especially for older dogs.

• Great for pregnant dogs

For pregnant dogs, vitamin E helps in a lot of building up processes. It is essential for the growth of her pups, as well as for helping her through the processes of pregnancy, and to ensure good motor functions. For her unborn pups, vitamin E helps them to be strong and healthy when they arrive.

• Improves immune system

As discussed earlier, vitamin E is helpful towards the advancements of the immune system. From small to elderly dogs, this is essential to avoid a lot of health conditions from spurring up. As essential as it is towards minimizing the effects of certain illnesses, it is essentially more potent for these conditions not to take roots on the interim, as supposed to using vitamin E to subside the conditions. However, in cases where a dog has certain conditions that vitamin E could be of great help, it should be ministered nonetheless, and according to a veterinarian’s instructions – as this will not only help with the sickness, but actively help the immune system to fight others.

• Great for your dog’s skin

Vitamin E is known to diminish from the skin of dogs as they get older, which could cause a lot of skin conditions to arise. On a lot of occasions, UV rays also deter vitamin E levels, causing several other complications. The vitamin is also essential for the health of any dog’s skin, improving its appearance, fighting off skin infections, alongside protecting the skin from further complications.

• Essential for your dog’s organs

Vitamin E has been known to help with organ-related issues in dogs, and also helps to keep them in good functioning states. What’s more, it is beneficial for a dog’s heart, liver, nerve cells, and etcetera and very useful for preventing the occurrence of illnesses relating to organs in a dog’s body.

How Can Vitamin E Be Taken?

Vitamin E supplement for dogs can be helpful, however, should not be used outside the consent of a veterinarian. It can be given to them directly being mixed with their food, or can be used in the form of oils, either applied directly, or added to their shampoos, in the cases of skin conditions. Vitamin E supplements can also be found in many manufactured products containing kibble, or tocopherol. There are also natural supplements such as nuts, seeds, vegetables, seafood, alongside many others. Overall, Vitamin E dosage for dogs should be administered depending on the dog’s age, weight, condition, and as directed by a veterinarian.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Vitamin E is essentially great for the wellbeing of all dogs, as it greatly contributes to the healthy and active lifestyle that all dogs should have. However, the best way to up your dog’s vitamin E levels is with products that have been affirmed to provide such advantages, and lastly, with the help of a veterinarian.

Sources:

1. K. C. Hayes, Vitamin E Deficiency and Fat Stress in the Dog, The Journal of Nutrition
2. Kristina Barroso, Vitamin E for Dogs, The Nest
3. Sarah Winkler, 10 Fruits and Veggies that Aid in Dogs’ Nutrition, HowStuffWorks
4. David F. Kramer, Is Vitamin E Good for Dogs?, PetMD

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