Vitamin D metabolism and disorders in dogs and cats

J Small Anim Pract. 2021 Nov;62(11):935-947. doi: 10.1111/jsap.13401. Epub 2021 Jul 29.

Abstract

Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating calcium metabolism and in the development and maintenance of skeletal health of companion animals. There is also a growing interest in understanding the role vitamin D plays in non-skeletal health in both human and veterinary patients. This review provides an update of our current understanding of vitamin D biology in dogs and cats and gives an overview of how vitamin D metabolism can be assessed in companion animals. Congenital and acquired vitamin D disorders are then summarised before the review concludes with a summary of recent studies which have explored the role of vitamin D in the development and outcomes of non-skeletal diseases of dogs and cats.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases*
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases*
  • Dogs
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin D