As a pet parent, you’re likely aware of common canine health concerns. For instance, it’s easy to tell when your dog is limping or if they ate something that upset their stomach. But are you also aware of their proper vitamin levels? Just like humans, dogs require a healthy balance of nutrients in their diet.
Biotin is one such vitamin that goes a long way for the well-being and comfort of your pup.
If you don’t know your dog’s biotin intake—or have never heard of this B vitamin before—you’re in the right place. The team at Vetericyn is here to break down the properties, uses, and benefits of biotin for dogs.
What is Biotin?
Biotin, known by its more common name vitamin B7, is a B vitamin that plays an important role in both human and animal health. Its name actually derives from the Greek word “biotos,” meaning life or sustenance, which sheds light on the significance of this nutrient.1
First off, biotin lends a helping hand to a dog’s digestive enzymes or gastric enzymes in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates during digestion. It also has a number of health benefits, particularly related to:
- Hair (or fur)
- Skin
- Nails
- Eyes
- Liver2
Due to these properties, biotin is often found in beauty supplements.
Humans often consume enough biotin in their everyday lives, but our furry friends might need some extra help depending on their diet. Luckily, biotin is easy to incorporate into your dog’s regimen. Read on to discover the ins and outs of this powerful B vitamin.
Benefits of Biotin for Dogs
Biotin is a super-nutrient when it comes to supporting a shiny coat, silky fur, and healthy skin. Even if your dog doesn’t have any chronic skin conditions, a biotin supplement can help give them a lustrous coat everyone in the dog park will be commenting on.
Flourishing Skin and Coat
Biotin’s nutritional properties work from the inside out, helping prevent dry skin or a dull coat. Don’t just take our word for it—veterinary research has reported many positive effects of biotin for dogs.
In one study, over 100 dogs with fur and skin conditions were given biotin every day for several weeks. Their skin condition symptoms included hair loss, scaly skin, dull coat, and dermatitis. At the end of the study, all symptoms were cured in 60% of the cases, with a noticeable improvement in 31%.
This means that not only can biotin be used “cosmetically” as a coat supplement for your pup’s shiny coat, but it may also be able to help treat underlying skin conditions.
Strong Paw Pads
We all know how easily our own feet can dry, crack, blister, or swell, even while wearing shoes. When you think about how dogs spend all day on their feet without any barrier between their paws and the ground, the importance of paw pad health becomes clear.
Your dog’s thick, protective paw pads are what provide traction and absorb shock while on walks or chasing neighborhood squirrels. Healthy paw pads help keep your dog’s feet, legs, and joints safe.
Generally speaking, paw pads should be smooth, without any roughness or cracking. However, it’s common for them to become calloused or dry over time, depending on the season and environment. Fortunately, biotin vitamin B7 dog supplement can support paw pad health in the long term by strengthening and healing the skin.
Healthy Nails
While your dog may not be getting a regular pedicure, it’s still important to care for their nails just as you would your own. Biotin helps prevent brittle or cracked nails by promoting keratin growth and nail thickness.
Proper Digestion
Since biotin helps digestive enzymes break down nutrients, the vitamin also plays a key role in your dog’s metabolism and overall digestive health.
Is My Dog Biotin Deficient?
Without knowing what to look for, it can be difficult to determine if your dog needs more biotin in their diet. So, let’s break down some common symptoms of biotin deficiency in dogs.
- Dull coat – Shiny fur is an indication of a healthy pup. The coat should be smooth and gleam in the sun, so lackluster or oily fur could be a sign of a biotin deficiency.
- Dry skin – Dogs without enough biotin can suffer from flaky skin, rashes, or skin lesions. Warning signs include excess scratching, licking, or chewing on their own fur or skin.
- Hair loss – Thinning hair, or in extreme cases missing patches of fur, can indicate a biotin deficiency. Abnormal shedding or an overall disheveled appearance are sure signs that something is awry.
- Digestive problems – Due to biotin’s role in normal metabolic function, dogs can experience digestive issues if they don’t have enough biotin in their diet. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and loss of appetite.
- Damaged paw pads – A biotin deficiency could be the cause of dry or cracked paw pads. If you notice your dog limping or repetitively licking their paws, and there hasn’t been any physical damage, biotin may be the answer.
- Seizures – A more severe symptom, seizures can potentially stem from advanced-stage biotin deficiency.3
Possible Causes of Biotin Deficiency
Now that you know the warning signs, it’s also helpful to understand the causes of biotin deficiency so you can take action and implement preventative measures. Here are some potential reasons your dog may not be getting enough biotin.
- Diet – The most common culprit is a biotin-deficient diet. Fortunately, many dog-safe foods are rich in biotin and can help balance out their vitamin levels.
- Rapid growth – Puppies or large breeds that grow very quickly in a short amount of time can experience biotin deficiency if their internal systems can’t catch up to their physical growth.
- Antibiotics – A prolonged use of antibiotics can cause intestinal bacteria imbalances, interfere with biotin production, or produce biotin-consuming bacteria.3 If your pup needs antibiotics, it’s a good idea to proactively use biotin supplements to prevent other side effects.
- Gastrointestinal parasites – Most of biotin’s nutrition breakdown happens in the stomach before the B vitamin is absorbed into the small intestine. A digestive issue can interfere with this process and prevent biotin from dissolving.2
- Genetic factor – Just like people, dogs can inherit a biotin deficiency from their parents. But with the right supplements, they can be just as healthy as any other dog.
How to Incorporate Biotin in Your Dog’s Diet
Biotin-rich foods are one of the easiest ways to add biotin to your dog’s everyday routine—and the good news is there are many tasty and non-toxic dog food options your pup will love. Natural biotin sources include:
- Liver
- Kidney
- Eggs (especially the yolk!)
- Salmon
- Sunflower seeds
- Sweet potato
- Almonds
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Bananas2
Biotin Supplements
For a more targeted approach to treating a biotin deficiency, try daily dog vitamins or supplements. There are many types of supplements to choose from, such as dog treats, powders, and liquid drops. Whether you hide the supplement in a pill pouch or sprinkle it over kibble is up to you.
Keep in mind, that this is an instance when sharing isn’t caring—in other words, you should buy dog-specific supplements for your furry friend, rather than giving them some of yours.
Closely follow the recommended dosage based on your dog’s size and weight, and follow up with a veterinarian if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Are There Any Side Effects of Biotin for Dogs?
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that, unlike a fat-soluble vitamin, it’s not stored in the body. Biotin either dissolves into tissues or is absorbed into urine and expelled as waste.2
This means two things: first, biotin needs to be replenished often, as the body doesn’t keep any extra in reserves. Second, it’s unlikely that your dog would ever deal with having too much biotin, as it’s water-soluble and, thus, won’t build up. If they ever do have a biotin excess, they’ll eventually pee it out.
This is not to say that biotin has no side effects—too much of anything is never beneficial. When introducing biotin to your dog’s regimen, be on the lookout for potential adverse reactions, including:
- Skin rashes
- Digestive upset
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Kidney issues
If you have any doubts or dog health concerns, it’s always best to consult with a vet.
Support Your Dog’s Skin Health and More with ALL-IN from Vetericyn
For an all-in-one approach to canine nutritional health, look no further than our ALL-IN supplements. Designed for complete support at every stage of life, ALL-IN is made with age-specific formulas for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. These customized supplements are an excellent, all-natural way to ensure your dog gets the perfect balance of essential nutrients.
From biotin for healthy skin to probiotics for immunity, ALL-IN supports every area of dog health, including:
- Bone and joint
- Muscle
- Skin and coat
- Digestive
- Heart
- Immune
- Mental
Head to a local pet store today or order your supplements at our website to go all-in for your dog’s health.
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- Healthline. Health Benefits of Biotin. https://www.healthline.com/health/the-benefits-of-biotin
- National Institutes of Health. Biotin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
- National Library of Medicine. Biotin Deficiency. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547751/
- National Library of Medicine. Clinical study on the effect of biotin on skin conditions in dogs. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2602924/
