Many of us take vitamins or nutritional supplements to keep our health in check, but the same supplements that can be good for us can be dangerous or even fatal to our pets. Whether it’s related to the ingredient we want to take or the inactive ingredients in the product, it’s important to keep these supplements out of our paws. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has provided a quick overview of some common supplements that can be harmful to our furry friends.
Alpha lipoic acid (aka thioctic acid) is a vitamin-like antioxidant found in many foods such as yeast, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, and meat. It is often taken to reduce inflammation, slow skin aging, lower risk factors for heart disease, slow memory loss, lower blood sugar, promote weight loss, and improve nerve function. However, pets exposed to thioctic acid may have lower blood sugar levels due to its synergism with insulin. Clinical signs of overdose often include drooling, vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, and seizures. These effects can be seen within 30 minutes to two hours after an overdose. If left untreated, this overdose can be fatal for pets, but with timely veterinary treatment, most pets recover.
Coffee extracts often found in supplements in the form of green tea extract, coffee and guarana. People often take these supplements to speed up their metabolism, help lose weight, or keep them awake. Alternatively, for our four-legged friends, an overdose of these supplements can cause vomiting, anxiety and hyperactivity, increased thirst and increased urination, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, tremors, and seizures. In some cases, very high doses of caffeine can be fatal.
Iron accepted by many people as our diets are often insufficient. While iron supplementation can be beneficial for most people, in pets, high doses of iron can be irritating and caustic to the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea and, in high doses, can cause liver damage.
Vitamin D3 is the commonly recommended vitamin for humans, as we are often deficient due to poor diet or lack of exposure to sunlight. In our furry brethren, vitamin D overdose often results in vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. In very high doses, calcium levels in the body increase, which can lead to kidney damage and soft tissue mineralization.
Xylitol, which is now found in a growing number of supplements – especially chewable or quick-melting ones – can be very toxic to pets, causing low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs.
It’s important to remember that this list only covers a few vitamins and supplements. Make sure to keep all supplements away from your pets to keep them happy and healthy!
If your pet is taking any of your supplements or swallowing something potentially toxic, contact your veterinarian immediately or call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 to get proper treatment started as soon as possible.