With the arrival of spring, we’re used to feeling a burst of energy from the first rays of sunshine, but at the same time, we often complain about drowsiness, dull skin, and general fatigue. We pop to the chemist for multivitamins to support our bodies after the winter. But have you ever considered that your four-legged friends go through similiar processes? Find out more on Tvaryny.
Springtime for dogs and cats is a period of serious physiological restructuring. Changes in temperature, active moulting, and the awakening of parasites place a huge strain on their immunity. Many owners ask: does “spring avitaminosis” exist in animals in the sense we understand it, and should we rush to the pet shop for flashy tubs of pills? Let’s get to the bottom of this, relying on veterinary science rather than marketing myths.
Avitaminosis or Hypovitaminosis: Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s
Before talking about treatment, it’s worth sorting out the terminology. What we colloquially call “avitaminosis” is actually most often hypovitaminosis.
- Avitaminosis – is the complete absence of a specific vitamin in the body. This is a severe pathological condition that can lead to serious, sometimes irreversible consequences and even death. In domestic pets that receive at least some food, it is extremely rare.
- Hypovitaminosis – is a partial lack (deficiency) of one or a group of vitamins. This is exactly the phenomenon most often observed in spring, when the body’s reserves are depleted by winter, and the demand for resources grows due to increased activity and moulting.
Therefore, when speaking about spring problems, we will be referring specifically to seasonal hypovitaminosis and a general decrease in the body’s resistance.
Why is spring stressful for an animal’s body?
Many people believe that if an animal eats the same food all year round, seasonality doesn’t affect it. This is a mistake. Important biological processes occur in spring:
- Seasonal moulting. This is perhaps the most resource-intensive process. To grow a new coat, the body uses a colossal amount of protein, sulphur, zinc, and B vitamins. If these substances are insufficient in the diet, they are “leached” from internal reserves, which weakens other organs.
- Hormonal surges. The increase in daylight hours affects the endocrine system, espeically in unneutered animals. This speeds up metabolism and increases the need for nutrients.
- Change in activity. In winter, walks with dogs are usually shorter. In spring, activity time increases, requiring more energy and antioxidants for the muscles.
Warning bells: Symptoms of vitamin deficiency
How do you know if your pet needs help? Symptoms can be vague, but an attentive owner will notice changes. It is important not to confuse vitamin deficiency with other diseases. By the way, some skin manifestations are often confused with allergies. If you see that your animal is scratching, we recommend reading our article on spring allergies and hay fever in pets to accurately differentiate the problem.
We have gathered the main signs of hypovitaminosis in a handy table:
| Body System | Symptoms in Dogs | Symptoms in Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Coat and Skin | Dull coat, prolonged moulting, dry skin, dandruff (“snow” on the back), slow healing of scratches. | Dishevelled fur, balding around the ears or eyes, loss of shine. |
| Behaviour | Lethargy, reluctance to go for long walks, quick fatigue, eating inedible objects (soil, chalk, faeces). | Sleepier than usual, irritability, refusal to play. |
| Musculoskeletal System | Wobbly gait, trouble getting up after sleeping (especially in large breeds). | Reluctance to jump onto high surfaces, limping. |
| Eyes | Weeping eyes, clouding of the cornea, worsening vision at dusk. | Discharge from eyes, frequent blinking. |
Top 5 vitamins needed in spring
Not all vitamins are equally critical during the spring period. Here is the “famous five” worth paying attention to.
1. Vitamin A (Retinol)
Responsible for vision, the condition of the skin and mucous membranes, as well as growth in young animals. Its deficiency often manifests as “night blindness” and dry eyes. For cats, it is critically important because, unlike dogs, they cannot synthesise it from beta-carotene (plant food) and must receive it exclusively from meat products.
2. B Group Vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12)
This is the “fuel” for the nervous system and the main building material for a healthy coat. It is the B group that suffers most during moulting. A lack leads to dermatitis, nervousness, cramps, and anaemia.
3. Vitamin D
There is a myth that it’s enough for animals to just have a walk in the sun. This isn’t quite true. The skin of dogs and cats is covered with fur, and the synthesis of Vitamin D under the influence of ultraviolet light is much less effective than in humans. This vitamin regulates calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Its deficency is a direct path to rickets in puppies and osteoporosis in adult animals.
4. Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
A powerful antioxidant. It protects cells from ageing and the effects of toxins, and supports reproductive function. In spring, it is necessary to maintain muscle tone.
5. Biotin (Vitamin H)
Although technically belonging to the B group, it is often highlighted separately. This is the “beauty vitamin”. Without biotin, it is impossible to achieve bright colouration and coat density after moulting.
Natural foods or pharmacy complexes: What to choose?
This is the eternal dilemma for owners. The answer depends on your pet’s diet type.
If the animal is on dry food (kibble)
High-quality Super Premium and Holistic class foods are already balanced. The manufacturer has calculated the daily allowance of all microelements. Adding vitamin complexes “just in case” can lead to hypervitaminosis (overdose), which is much more dangerous than a deficiency. For example, an excess of calcium and Vitamin D in puppies of large breeds can lead to bone curvature.
Advice: If you feed quality kibble but see signs of deficiency, do not buy vitamins yourself. Get a biochemical blood test done. The problem might not be the food, but that the animal’s body simply isn’t absorbing nutrients due to gastrointestinal issues (gastritis, worms).
If the animal is on a natural diet
Balancing a natural diet at home down to the milligram is practically impossible. Meat sold in shops is often depleted of vitamins due to livestock farming conditions. During the thermal processing of porridge and vegetables, a large part of the vitamins is destroyed.
For animals on natural feeding, spring courses of vitamin-mineral complexes are mandatory. But there are rules here too:
- Do not give human vitamins! The dosage and composition for people are completely different. Some sweeteners in human pills (for example, xylitol) are lethally toxic to dogs.
- Choose complexes according to age and size. The needs of a Yorkshire Terrier and a Shepherd Dog are fundamentally different.
Sources of vitamins in food: How to enrich the bowl
If you want to support your pet with natural products, here is a list of safe additives that can be introduced into the diet in spring:
- Fish oil (salmon oil). A source of Omega-3 and Vitamins A and D. It has a wonderful effect on the coat. Start with a few drops so as not to provoke an upset stomach.
- Seaweed (Kelp). A record holder for iodine and microelement content. Enhances coat pigmentation (note: give with caution to white dogs, as the coat may acquire a reddish tint).
- Brewer’s yeast. The best source of B group vitamins. Sold in veterinary pharmacies as a supplement.
- Sprouted grass (oats, wheat). Especially relevant for cats. This is a source of folic acid and a way to clear the stomach of fur.
- Beef liver. A powerful source of Vitamin A. Give only in boiled form and no more than once a week to avoid overdose.
How to choose the right vitamin complex?
You walk into a pet shop – and you’re spoilt for choice. Brewers yeast, multivitamins, calcium supplements… How do you avoid making a mistake? Owners should know that a universal pill does not exist, but there is a selection algorithm:
- Define the goal. Do you need vitamins “for the coat” (during moulting), “for joints” (for old dogs or puppies of large breeds), or general strengthening ones? Specialised complexes work better than “all-in-one” solutions.
- Form of release.
- Tablets: Convenient to dose, often taste like meat.
- Liquid emulsions: Absorbed faster, convenient to add to food for fussy cats.
- Powders: Well suited for large dogs on natural diets.
- Injections: Prescribed only by a doctor for serious deficiencies.
- Manufacturer. Trust proven brands (for example, Canina, 8in1, Beaphar, Nutri-Vet). Cheap chalky tablets are often not absorbed by the body and pass straight through.
Important: If you give vitamins that the animal needs, do it in courses. Usually, this is 3-4 weeks in spring and autumn. Constant use of supplements without a break suppresses the body’s own synthesis of vitamins.
Specifics for different types of animals
Rodents and birds
Small pets suffer from spring avitaminosis even more strongly than cats and dogs. In guinea pigs, for example, the body does not produce Vitamin C at all. In spring, when vegetables from the last harvest have lost their goodness and fresh grass has not yet grown, liquid vitamins in the drinker or special feeds are critically necessary for them.
Pregnant and lactating females
Spring is the season for babies being born. In a pregnant female, the need for calcium and vitamins increases two to three times. A deficit during this period can lead to eclampsia (milk fever) – a potentially fatal condition. Special lines of preparations exist for them.
Conclusions
Spring avitaminosis isn’t a myth, but it’s also no cause for panic. It is a physiological condition that requires diet correction. Remember the main rules:
- A healthy animal on high-quality professional food usually does not need extra vitamins, except during active moulting.
- Animals on “natural diets” require a spring course of vitamins.
- Do not self-medicate – hypervitaminosis is more dangerous than a deficiency.
- Keep an eye on your pet’s appearance: the coat is a mirror of health.
Take care of your furry ones, ensure they get long sunny walks and a tasty, beneficial diet. And may this spring bring you only joy from spending time with your four-legged friends!