Cats and dogs love to lay in the sun.  They’re doing it for reasons other than generating vitamin D, otherwise known as the sunlight vitamin.  Humans, hamsters, rats, and other mammals can synthesize sufficient amounts of vitamin D from just being in the sun.  However, many wrongly believe cats and dogs get their vitamin D from the sun too. 

Vitamin D is a cornerstone nutrient dogs and cats.  Dog and cat bodies don’t make vitamin D; it doesn’t end up on their fur, or the fur blocks the sun from their skin.  Several scientific studies (ref 1, ref 2) show that exposure of dogs and cats to ultraviolet light does not significantly increase vitamin D concentrations.  In contrast, similar exposure of rats leads to a 40-fold increase in vitamin D.  Since dogs and cats can’t get vitamin D from the sun it must come from DIET.

Dogs and cats must have vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorous needed for bone growth and to avoid skeletal issues like soft bones (rickets) in pups and kittens, and fragile, misshapen bones in adults (osteomalacia).  

Too little vitamin D has been linked to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and concurrent hyperparathyroidism, and decreased blood and serum concentrations.  Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is often tied to low vitamin D.  Vitamin D may play a role in cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Increased cancer risk is linked to low vitamin D intake . A variety of anticancer activities are promoted by vitamin D, such as inducing apoptosis and reducing cancer cell growth. 

Food sources rich in vitamin D include fresh fish, liver, blood, fat, egg yolks, and dairy products.  Fetching Foods contains sufficient amounts of naturally occurring vitamin D, proven through laboratory testing.

Don’t go out and buy a vitamin D supplement, pouring it onto your kitty’s food.  More is not better.  Too much vitamin D can be toxic!  Do you remember the pet food recalls for excessive vitamin D earlier this year (ref)?  Dogs died from too much vitamin D.  Cats can have a similar reaction.  

It’s important to get your food from a trusted pet food supplier so you can be certain of a proper nutritional balance.  Consult your vet before adding supplements — it can be dangerous to their health.