Vitamins for Dogs With Cataracts

Discovering that your dog has cataracts can be a distressing. Conventional treatment involves surgery, but there are also alternative ways you can aid your dog's recovery. Although cataracts are traditionally thought to affect older dogs, vet Mike Richards, DVM, says that the condition can also be congenital and affect younger dogs too. Although cataracts can be debilitating for your dog, with the right treatment it will regain its proper eyesight.

  1. Vitamin A

    • Vitamin A is an antioxidant. It combats free radicals that can damage the eye and helps prevent the lens from degenerating. This vitamin can be found in foods like liver, dairy products and vegetables. According to vet-run website Pet Education, dogs need a minimum of 2,272 UI per pound of food to maintain healthy eyes. Once the dog has ingested Vitamin A, it is stored in the liver for future use. Toxicity from overdosing on this vitamin is possible, but only when large doses are administered for months or years.

    Vitamin C

    • Like Vitamin A, Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant and therefore protects the body from free radicals that can damage cells. Vitamin C can be found in vegetables and citrus fruits. You can also buy supplements specially designed for dogs from your vet. While the supplement is not usually needed by healthy dogs, it is useful for dogs who are suffering from an illness. There is no risk of your dog overdosing on vitamin C.

    Vitamin E

    • Another antioxidant, Vitamin E has a similar effect on the lens' cells as vitamins A and C. It can be found in meats, such as liver and fat, as well as nuts and green, leafy vegetables. According to vet-run website Pet Education, it aids the formation of cell membranes and cell respiration, meaning it can help repair damage to the lens that has been caused by cataracts.

    Zinc

    • Zinc is found in healthy eye tissue and, according to vet Mike Richards, DVM, it can slow the progression of cataracts. It can be found in plants, but is absorbed in higher concentrations from meat and bones. Fish, soy and barley also provide good sources of zinc. Toxicity caused by an overdose of zinc can occur, but happens very rarely and only when animals are fed large amounts of the mineral. The recommended daily amount is a minimum of 120 mg per kg of food for adult dogs.