We all need to make sure that we have the right amount of vitamins and minerals in our diets to help to maintain our health.

The same is true for our dogs. It is just as easy for pets to become deficient in a crucial vitamin if they are not ingesting enough of it and this may result in a need for supplementation.

There are many health benefits of vitamin E for dogs, but there is a chance that your pet isn’t getting their required amount.

Itchy, dry skin is a tell-tale sign that our pets need a little help in some way. Luckily, there are a number of different products and methods for giving dogs Vitamin E.

This guide aims to ask a simple question: can I give my dog vitamin e?

There are different ways of providing Vitamin E supplementation and this guide will look at some of the methods and implications.

Are oral supplements the best way to go? Are there any negative links between dogs and vitamin e? What should you consider when giving your dog these capsules?

Before that, it is important to look at the health benefits of this vitamin and the reasons for administering it.

Some see Vitamin E as a skin care treatment but there is more to this vitamin than that.

What does Vitamin E do and why should we be making sure to give it to our pets?

Vitamin E is well known to many of us as a way of treating dry skin. Many of the best-known human moisturisers and anti-ageing solutions now have added vitamin E in them to enrich the formula.

[thrive_text_block color=”red” headline=””]Dogs are said to require 1 mg of vitamin E a day in their diet to help maintain health and well-being. [/thrive_text_block]

This doesn’t sound like much, but it can make a big difference. Simply put, Vitamin E helps to boost immunity, health and general well-being and should be a staple part of the diet with all the other great vitamins and minerals.

The potential benefits of healthy vitamin E levels in dogs are actually quite remarkable. It is known to promote fertility – which is essential for breeding adults – and it can also help to prevent cataracts, regulate digestion, and aid respiratory health.

Many dog owners look to use some form of vitamin e for dogs skin.

Dogs can suffer from dry skin quite easily and allergies, fleas and other parasites will just make the situation worse.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the vitamin help to soothe areas of skin that have been inflamed by infection, bites or scratching. It also happens to be for good for coat conditioning as it makes it more shiny.

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The importance of this vitamin cannot be underestimated. Some look at the link between vitamin e and dogs purely through this issue of dry skin.

[thrive_text_block color=”red” headline=””]If you fail to provide vitamin E for your dog from a young age, dry skin could be the least of your concerns. Puppies with deficiencies in vit e showed muscles weakness, decreased muscle mass and sensitivity to pain. This is a major problem with drastic health implications for adulthood. [/thrive_text_block]

Symptoms can be reversed with supplementation, so it is never to late to introduce capsules into a diet or use some creams to help the skin.

Vitamin E supplementation for dogs: how much should you provide and what are the best methods?

There is confusion over the need for supplements.

[thrive_text_block color=”blue” headline=””]Some dog owners and experts say that pet food doesn’t always offer enough Vitamin E to meet the needs of all dogs, so additional capsules may be required for a boost. Others say that the ideal diet does offer the right amount of it and any deficiencies may be down to food choices. [/thrive_text_block]

As a result, many suggest looking into a new food source before heading for the capsules.

Some swear by ingredients such as ostrich, some oily fish and kidney and liver meats. There are also herbal remedies for vitamin E, such as raspberry leaf, dandelion and alfalfa.

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If this route is not possible – perhaps because your pet is a fussy eater – the most obvious approach is to go for a formulated vitamin e capsules for dogs.

These simple capsules are easy to understand, come in specific dosages and require little effort.

Some owners will look at these foreign capsules and wonder: how do I give my dog vitamin e? The ease of administering the capsule depends on the dog. In some cases the capsules can be added to food with relative ease.

Other times you may need to open up the capsules and mix the liquid into the food.

Ideally, these capsules should be eaten with a fatty meal so that it enhances absorption in the bloodstream.

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How much vitamin e for my dog: what is the best dosage for different breeds?

The Optimal dog vitamin e dosage will depend on the size, age and health of the dog.

[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””]Generally, the recommended daily dosage is 400 IU for small dogs and 800 IU for larger dogs. [/thrive_text_block]

Some advocates for Vitamin E dog products will say that it is perfectly safe for pets to consume much more than that, but it is best to stick to the RDA to avoid any negative effects.

Unfortunately, there are other potential downsides to using too much vit e for dogs.

It is a bit strong to say that it is possible to cause a dog vitamin e overdose, but there are dangers.

[thrive_text_block color=”red” headline=””]Large dose can result in vomiting and there are concerns over links between Vitamin E and the poor absorption of Vitamin D and some blood disorders. [/thrive_text_block]

You should always remember check with your vet before giving your dog any form of additional supplementation like this, especially if your dog is currently on supplements or other medications.

Also, make sure not to give your dog any formula that is designed for humans because the dosage will be different and there may be other, harmful ingredients.

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Choosing the right products: where to buy vitamin e for dogs and some of the best oral options

There are three different routes that you can take in order to purchase a bottle of Vitamin E capsules – or any of the other solutions that you might want to try out.

The most obvious is to head online to reputable retailers. Sites like Amazon always have a wide selection, as do the e-commerce stores of some of the top pet stores. This is a great route if you know precisely what you want and are after a good deal.

Always check the product information to be sure it is safe for you pet and read the reviews.

You can also get these vitamin e supplement for dogs as a basic product option from a pet store. Heading to a brick and mortar store is great if you want to start browsing flavors and reading labels. You can get a better idea of your options and maybe get advices from the staff.

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The other option is to try and get your Vit E dog capsules from the vet.

This is a great option for any dog owner that is concerned about the correct measure and any underlying problems.

A vet can ensure that dogs receive the correct dosage and inform owners about methods best suited to dogs. This can be particularly useful if they have a specific health problem or a potential issue with certain ingredients.

There are some brands that are more popular than others and one of the better oral capsules is the healthy hounds vitamin e antioxidant supplement for dogs.

This product is pretty basic, but the formula words well, it offers a safe 200 iu dose and there are 60 of them in a bottle.

This option is praised for it antioxidant count and natural ingredients. The capsules contain D-alpha tocopherol acetate, sunflower seed oil, gelatin, glycer and water. There are no dangerous additives, colors or potential allergens.

These simple, natural capsules are the best approach for owners that want to go down the route of Vitamin E oral supplementation for dogs.

The only problem is that it can be difficult getting dogs to take their vitamins. If there is no noticeable rewards for eating these strange liquid capsules, they may refuse them.

This is where some of the alternative options come in handy.

Food-based multivitamins are the ideal middle ground between dietary changes and capsules. These specially formulated bite-size treats are packed full of goodness – often in the form of multivitamins – and have the taste and texture of a dog treat.

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Its just like when we give our children gummy, candy-like multivitamins because they don’t want to swallow a pill.

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Other means of providing vitamin e oil for dogs dry skin

These capsules have a lot of benefits and are a safe, controlled way of providing vitamins when the content in a diet isn’t enough.

The problem is that some dogs won’t go near them and there are concerns about absorption and efficiency.

[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””]If you are deliberately looking to aid a skin complaint rather than supplement a diet, a topical solution could be a much better approach for dealing with dry skin. [/thrive_text_block]

There are a number of oils, lotions and shampoos for dogs that are enriched with Vitamin E and are applied directly to the hair and skin.

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Some owners may also choose to add the oils to the water so that their pets can have a good soak.

There are definite pros and cons when turning to these options.

On the one hand, topical solutions can be preferable to using pills and capsule because they get to work in the right places and don’t run the risk of other chemicals being ingested. The method is straight forward and safe and adds no extra hassle to the grooming regimen.

The act of massaging the oils and shampoos into the skin is brilliant because it is soothing for the dog, provides loving physical contact and helps to dissolve the oils faster.

[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””]The problem with going for these shampoos, lotions and oils is that they are more specifically targeted towards skin complaints and do not make up for any shortcoming in the diet of the dog. They can also be difficult to administer on dogs with long coats. [/thrive_text_block]

Much like the Vitamin E dogs products for oral supplementation, it can help to shop around and look out for products with certain ingredients and special features.

Natural products with minimal ingredients lists are always preferable to those with lots of chemicals and additives. You don’t want any harsh chemicals exacerbating the condition and inflaming the skin further.

It also helps to look for products with a dog-friendly fragrance (as this is going on their fur) and herbal extract.

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The more helpful ingredients you can include in these creams and the better the Vitamin E content, the better the chance of improving the condition.

Also, it should go without saying that you should never use your human products on your dog’s skin.

Shop around online, check out the different shampoos in the pet store and discuss medicated options with your vet.

What we have learned about vitamin e for dogs

The first question that we wanted to answer was simple: can I give my dog vitamin e for dry skin?

Just like with human skin care products, it is highly beneficial to use. This vitamin is great for inflammation and skin disorders, but the potential health benefits clearly go much further than that.

The potential of this vitamin means that there are lots of reasons to ensure that your dog gets enough of it in their diet, and also that there are lots of different products on the market.

Dog vitamin e products are a great aid for a number of conditions when handled correctly.

If you choose to go down the oral supplementation route, make sure to check the dosage and ingredients and look for alternative styles for fussy eaters.

If you simply want a doggy skin cream, compare the oils and shampoos to find a simple, enriching formula to add to your dog’s bath.