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Claim evidence

Essential for bone, immune and cardiac health

Grade AStrong canine evidenceSave claim
Ingredient: Vitamin D3 · vitamin

Plain-language summary

Deficiency and excess both harmful; supplement only when a diet is measured-deficient.

About the ingredient

What it is

Fat-soluble vitamin.

Why it's used

Included in multivitamins. Excess is possible.

Also known as: Cholecalciferol

Cited studies (4)

Canine studies
  • Characteristics of Nutrition and Metabolism in Dogs and Cats.
    Li P, Wu G · Advances in experimental medicine and biology · 2024
    Save studyC
    Study summary
    Very limited quality
    Design score 2/11
    Design
    Journal Article
    Species
    dog
    Sample size
    Not reported
    Duration
    Not reported
    Controls / blinding
    Not reported
    Funding
    Not reported
    Strengths
    • Conducted in dogs
    Limitations
    • Sample size not recorded
    • No control group recorded
    • Study duration not recorded

    Relevance to this claim: Ingredient-level evidence for Vitamin D3

    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-54192-6_4
  • Rickets, Vitamin D, and Ca/P Metabolism.
    Miller WL, Imel EA · Hormone research in paediatrics · 2022
    Save studyD
    Study summary
    Very limited quality
    Design score 2/11
    Design
    Journal Article; Review
    Species
    dog
    Sample size
    Not reported
    Duration
    Not reported
    Controls / blinding
    Not reported
    Funding
    Not reported
    Strengths
    • Conducted in dogs
    Limitations
    • Sample size not recorded
    • No control group recorded
    • Study duration not recorded

    Relevance to this claim: Ingredient-level evidence for Vitamin D3

    DOI: 10.1159/000527011
  • Serum 25(OH)D status and disease outcomes in dogs
    Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2018
    Save studyA
    Study summary
    Very limited quality
    Design score 2/11
    Design
    review
    Species
    dog
    Sample size
    Not reported
    Duration
    Not reported
    Controls / blinding
    Not reported
    Funding
    Not reported
    Strengths
    • Conducted in dogs
    Limitations
    • Sample size not recorded
    • No control group recorded
    • Study duration not recorded

    Outcome: Both deficiency and excess linked to disease

  • Hypercalcemia.
    Chew DJ, Carothers M · The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice · 1989
    Save studyD
    Study summary
    Very limited quality
    Design score 2/11
    Design
    Journal Article; Review
    Species
    dog
    Sample size
    Not reported
    Duration
    Not reported
    Controls / blinding
    Not reported
    Funding
    Not reported
    Strengths
    • Conducted in dogs
    Limitations
    • Sample size not recorded
    • No control group recorded
    • Study duration not recorded

    Relevance to this claim: Ingredient-level evidence for Vitamin D3

    DOI: 10.1016/s0195-5616(89)50030-5

Products in our catalog with Vitamin D3 (8)

Educational information only. Not veterinary advice. Grades reflect published dog research and reviewer consensus, not marketing.