Benefits of Vitamin C for dogs

Vitamin C (also called ascorbic acid) is important for a dog’s body. Just like in people, it helps make blood vessels, cartilage, muscles, and collagen (which helps keep their bones strong). It also helps the body heal.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. That means it helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. These are tiny, harmful molecules a dog’s body produces when it breaks down food or when dogs are exposed to things like cigarette smoke, radiation from the sun, X-rays, or other sources. Free radicals may be linked to heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Vitamin C also helps a dog’s body absorb and store iron.

Did you know that people cannot make their own vitamin C, but dogs can?

A dog’s liver produces it naturally. But if a dog is sick, stressed, or very old, it might not produce enough.

Most commercial dog foods contain a sufficient amount of vitamin C, but if your vet recommends supplementing it, here are some natural foods you can consider. You can find vitamin C in oranges, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and spinach.