Vitamin C… As Important for your PETS as it is for YOU!

So much research has been done on the benefits of Vitamin C, and dogs on a regimen of this vitamin are much less likely to develop hip dysplasia, spinal myelopathy, ruptured disks, viral diseases and even skin problems.  Cats will benefit too, as it can help prevent urinary tract infections and kidney disease. Wendell O. Belfield, DVM. Author of How to Have a Healthier Dog, had over fifteen years of clinical experience, and after working with over two thousand animals, saw that dogs definitely benefit from extra Vitamin C in their diet.

There’s so much to say about the powers of Vitamin C and its antioxidant properties. There is no doubt that it helps support bones, teeth, ligaments and joints.  I have seen animals who walked with limps, or could not get up the stairs rebound beautifully with mega-doses of this vitamin, and if your cats are prone to urinary tract problems, this amazing vitamin is sometimes a total lifesaver!

I must admit that my own pets don’t care much for the sour properties though, so I have to artfully camouflage ascorbic acid in their favorite treats or mix it in with their stew. I prefer a powder or a liquid supplement because I question the dubious ingredients in a tablet, (which may contain binders and fillers) and don’t even have to be listed on the label!

When supplementing Vitamin C, consider splitting the daily recommendation into three or four doses per day.  I recommend splitting a meal or a snack into two portions and serving them at different times to accommodate giving your pet Vitamin C mixed into its food several times a day.  By supplying more frequent doses, you ensure that your pet’s body is provided with Vitamin C for longer periods of time, enabling it to use as much as it possibly can.  The doses below are for general maintenance. It’s fine to double these dosages during times of stress or for overcoming specific ailments.

Pet’s Weight                 Amount of Vitamin C

2 – 10 pounds                    up to 625 mg per day

11 to 25 pounds                 up to 1,250 mg per day

26 to 50 pounds                up to 2,500 mg per day

51 to 100 pounds              up to 3,750 mg per day

Over 100 pounds              up to 5,000 mg per day

Dosage Tip: Always start with a small amount of Vitamin C and slowly increase the dose every few days until you work your way up to the ideal amount.  Adding too much Vitamin C all at once, before the body is used to it, may cause loose stools or an upset stomach.

Not all vitamins are created equal.  Remember to always use a product that is human-grade and, as with any supplement; if the product is high quality, you should expect to notice some marked improvements in your own pet’s health. Keep in mind that Vitamin C alone is not a panacea.  You will certainly need other vitamins to keep your pets in peak condition, and that vitamins should be carefully chosen for your individual pet’s needs.

173 Responses

  1. I have a cat that is 17 going on 18 hyper thyroid is on meds for that he moves around slowly and is very loveable, I have had him since he was two hours old, what can I give him safely to perk him up a bit.? but not hurt him
    .

    1. Hi Sharon, I would definitely give him a diet of homemade food. There is not a commercial food on the market that can come close to what the stew can do. Vitamin C is beneficial and so are homemade treats. Find the recipe for Voyko’s Paw Lickin treats on my recipe list and my book has lots of fun treats to give. Your sweet one is lucky to have you care so much. Keep us all posted! xoxox

    2. My male cat needs some vitamin C to hopefully help him with the FUTD issues which are just starting. He’s about 5 years old. What brand vitamin C do you recommend and where do you get it? I’m searching and searching on-line and there are not many choices out there.

      1. hi Bonnie, there are MANY brands of powdered vitamin c and if they have rose hips, its even better. Don’t buy ANY PET VITAMINS.. Only natural vitamins made for humans. You will find them.! xoxo

        1. Hi there, you mentioned rosehips, could I give my 3 yr.old cat organic whole rosehips in tea form?

          1. Hi Deborah, I don’t see why you can’t do this. Are you trying to replace the vitamin C and use this as a supplement instead? I’m not sure that a few drops will do much, but it certainly can’t hurt! xoxo

          2. A small amount of rose hips can be very beneficial to cats. But please use what you are comfortable with. Thanks

      2. I have cured urinary blockages in my male kitties by giving only Reverse Osmosis filtered water. The whole answer… They drink ENOUGH water when it tastes good instead of all the chemicals.

        1. Pure water sources are very important, but even the purest water cannot undo what commercial pet foods can cause. (Particularly dry food). My cats and dogs get most of their water from the broth of the stew and the foods they consume. Thanks for the tip on clean water, for sure!

          1. For urinary blockages, I use Carpon, again from Dr. Belfield’s site. Great stuff!

  2. What’s your recommendation for Vit. C? I would like to buy one for my dogs. I have one dog with limp. Thanks.

    1. Vitamin C should be given according to the individual pet’s needs and weight. I added a chart on the Vitamin C post. You can double up on the recommended dosage to help him overcome the limp. Feed great food and keep him trim! xoxox

  3. Can you give a dog ascorbic acid powder dissolved in water and then mixed in with their stew? I’m just a little confused when looking at the supplements, what with the binders, etc. used.
    Jennifer
    PS: Love your book! We just adopted a dog and promptly put her on the chicken stew. I don’t think I have to tell you she loves it:)

    1. Hi Jennifer,
      Thanks so much for your kind words about my book:) You have one lucky pup! Yes, you can disolve the ascorbic acid powder in water and add it to the stew, but you really don’t need to bother to do it. Should be just fine to sprinkle and MIX WELL. Try to find a pure ascorbic acid powder without the binders. Rose hips and other bioflavinoids are just fine, though. Your dog of course loves the stew and you will love NO VET BILLS and how well she does on it forever! Keep up the wonderful work.. You’re a great Mom! xoxox (sign up for my newsletter, if you haven’t already!)

    1. Hi Wyolene, Glad Prissy is enjoying the stew and doing well already. Look at the bottle of the product and it should tell you how to measure it precisely, or contact the company that makes it directly.! You’re doiing just great. xox

    1. Absolutely.. Vitamin C is typically very sour.. So you’ll want to hide it well into the wet food.. Hopefully you’re cooking for your kitty! xoxo

  4. My dog always had tear stains then for about a week had an upset stomach I took him to the vet and they gave him an antibiotic as well as probiotics and like magic the tear stains disappeared. They were gone for maybe three months and now just last week started coming back. I make him homemade food and clean his face daily and have changed nothing recently to bring them back. Please help they are so ugly and he is so cute.

    1. Tricia, some people don’t have the best recipes for homemade food and therefore don’t get the desired results. For your dog, I would suggest making my stew and adding the oils for sure. You can buy the oils already made (here) and my guess is that if you got a copy of my book.. you would turn your cute little boy around very quickly (without meds).. Keep us posted! xox

  5. Can my dog take any vitamin c and does it have to be her whole life for her ph and crystals? I hope she only needs it for a month

    1. Hi, Human Grade Vitamin C from the health food store is the best and whatever your dog does not use, will be urinated out of the body. Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant which will help support the body in so many wonderful ways. It can taste sour, so you’ll want to mix it well with her wet food! ox

  6. HI,MY MALE CAT IS 4YRS OLD HAS HAD A UTI INFECTION NOW FOR AT LEAST 2 MTHS,BEEN TO THE VET,MED,C/D CAT FOOD HE STILLS SEEMS TO HAVE IT AGAIN,STARTED HIM ON THE VIT C 250MG WITH WATER,THE ONLY WAY HE WILL TAKE IT,SHOULD I GIVE HIM 500MG A DAY? I JUST HOPE THIS VIT C WILL HELP,HOW LONG SHOULD I KEEP HIM ON IT?

    1. Sounds like you need to make a major change in the diet. i’m hoping that you are not using dry food.. Dry food can lead to UTI’s and if you either cook for him or use wet food, you will be able to mask the sour taste. I have found that cats with problems like this need the highest quality diet and generally do better with Vitamin C all their life. xoxo

    2. Pam I have gotten rid of UTI in my pets and friend’s pet with herbs. Please let me know if you would like the herbs we used. Prayers for your baby.

  7. My Female Cat has a UTI, and Just this Morning I Noticed Blood In the Little Bit Of Pee. I Read that Breaking Up Half a 500 Milligram Of Vitamin C and Adding it to Her Wet Food Will Help. Is This True? I Have Taken Away All Her Dry Food and Am Going to Start her On a Special Diet. She Is Probably Around 15 Years Old.

    1. Hi Cora, PLEASE NEVER USE DRY FOOD. It leads to UTI’s and they are so painful and if not treated… can be very critical especially for male cats. Vitamin C is great, and perhaps using 500 mill twice a day would acidify the urine better than just once a day. Please be sure to check the box for blood, and see if she is straining to urininate. If the symptoms still appear… get her to the vet quickly. I hope that you’ve eliminated the antagonistic element. Dry food. Your best bet is to also make her food and not leave your sweet one in the hands of the pet food makers who don’t care as much as you do.. Keep us posted! xoxo

  8. Hi Andi,
    Thank you for the cool information, my cat got a slight limp probably from pulling a muscle. I will give him some vitamin c following the chart and share the results.
    Thank you again!
    Sid

  9. Hey Andi,
    I have a cat who is about 9 and is severly allergic to fleas. We didnt know for years, and the vet had told us early on that he had a blood infection. (which he did not) so we were not able to get rid of the fleas early enough and he has skin that constantantly has scabs and he looses fur from scratching at it. Do you think this could possibly help with his scabs? Even just make his skin not as dry. Also, about six months ago, his back foot was run over by a car, and he was left with only three toes and he walks funny. Could it help him with that too? I know its a long story and this cat just has really bad luck, but if you have time I would really like to know if it would be helpful or not. Thanks!

    1. Hi Taylor,
      Well… the “allergy” is something we can definitely help with. I believe it is not an “allergy”, but merely a deficiency. When you understand what goes into typical commercial pet foods and what is left out, it’s easy to understand why the itching scabs and skin problems occur. A new, homemade, healthy diet is just what this Doctor ordered! Please get a copy of my book. It will ANSWER all of your questions and keep you focussed on what is important to your sweet one. We can’t bring back the toe, but his whole body will get stronger with the new food. Please keep me posted on your success! xoxox

  10. Hello Andi,
    I recently discovered your websites and i am hooked. so much to learn Thank you so much. my one year old cat has bad breath i have noticed it recently and she seems to swallow a lot. I plan to take her to the vet for a check up. Will vitamin C help with breath. and if she have underlying problem in her stomach or kidneys will taking vitamin c daily help??

    1. Hi Sophia, No cat or dog should have bad breath. This may be caused by two things. 1. Bad food = bad breath. 2. Bad tooth = decay. A change in diet is very important and if you haven’t gotten a copy of my book yet, you really should. There’s so much great information about everything for your sweet one. Vitamin C is not the answer here, and but if there is kidney blockage.. vitamin c is a great pick. Keep us posted! xoxox

  11. Hi, Actually i wont to know, i have a German shepherd puppy. now 3 months old, so can i give humans vitamin C tablet for my puppy.

    1. Hi, Giving your dog Vitamin C will be great – to help boost the immune system as well as to help ensure proper bone, joint and hip health! xoxo

    2. Hi,
      I have been going through different notes from pet parents, yours being from 2013…. check out Dr. Wendell Belfield’s Mega C Plus. All my GSDs have been on it, no sign of hip problems and super good health!!!

  12. Hi!! I have a bull mastiff who is a year old and he keeps getting recurrent ear infections. Ive read that Vitamin C works well for that as well. What are your thoughts on this? My “baby” is approx 200 lbs, should i split up the dosage to 3 times a day? Thank you so much in advance for answering all of my questions. Your wonderful and I love reading your website!!

    1. Thanks for your kind words Lora. Vitamin C would be a good choice, and/but you really must understand the underlying CAUSE of the infections. Most commercial diets produce toxins in the body (yes.. even the so called natural brands) and the body is trying to eliminate these toxins through the avenues of waste, (such as the ears). So while Vitamin C is good to help boost the immune system and detoxify… (3 times a day is good)… unless you change the diet entirely.. you will not likely really overcome the problem. Hope you’ll start cooking for your big boy. xoxo

  13. HI, I recently was told that giving my 15 year old Tabby cat vitamin “c” would help her to not pee in inappropriate places. She has never done this before now. She recently had blood work done and the vet’s and I was told that there was a tiny trace of protein in her urine but not enough to do anything about. I would appreciate your kind advice. Thank you.

    1. Hi Linda, ANYTIME a cat is peeing outside of the litter box – it is reason for concern. Cats don’t do this unless they don’t have a clean box every day. (I’m sure that you are fastidious about this). Second and most important… it may cause them pain to pee. (and the pain is associated in the litter box). I am so surprised that your vet did not find reason for concern about the problem in the urine I would definitely give vitamin c, make sure that your cat does NOT eat dry food ever again (if she is now) and that she gets healthy food that you make yourself for the ultimate and best in health. Urine should flow freely in the box. Keep us posted on her and how you make her feel better. Get my book if you don’t already have it! xoxo Andi

  14. I have a 5yr old cat with a heart murmur that isn’t on any meds yet. I’m wondering if giving her vitamins would help keep her happy and healthy. If so which might you suggest? Thank you.

    1. Hi Andrea. I would definitely try making my stew and seeing how that helps her body to function normally. You’ll love the difference it makes. Vitamins are best as an adjunct to healthy food. I want to suggest that you get a copy of my book which helps to answer so many questions and helps you make the best food and supplement choices. I’ll help along the way as well. Food is the foundation of life! Please go for it! xox

  15. Hi Andrea, I have a 9 year old terrier mix that has been diagnosed with Cushing’s(pineal based). She is on a high protein diet, Cushex drops, organic flax seeds and melatonin. Can Liposomal vitamin C help ease the symptoms and how much?

    1. Hi Mary, If it were my dog, I would only be making her food. Vitamin C is always nice, but the key to great health and eliminating the Cushing’s is in the food you feed. xox

  16. Hi Andrea, we have a 10 year old male cat. In 2006 he had a surgery for crystals that blocked his urinary track. Since then the vet had put him on the Hill’s c/d prescription diet. He was fed it for the past 7 years. Few days ago he was diagnosed with diabities and we were told that he needs to get insulting injections. Immediately I questioned the quality of the food and found outt that it contains lots of carbs. For the argument sake I asked the vet whether we should switch him to food designed for diabities but he said to keep him on the c/d diet. To me is to telling the human to eat bacon only and take Lipitor pills. Nevertheless, we have put Gus on raw meat diet few days ago and he loves it. I already see improvements, he does not drink as much water and does not pee a lot. I will test his blood in a week or two to see if his glucose level went down. I am concerned about his urinary track though, and I wonder whether the vitamin C would prevent crystals formation in the future.

    1. Hi Lucy, Your sweet boy would do beautifully on the homemade stew and it’s great that you’re taking his health and food choices into your own hands. While raw foods are WAY WAY WAY better than commercial diets… (as you already know).. I really have found that they do best on a part raw/part cooked stew diet which will cover all of your bases. Grains in foods not only cause weight gain, but they turn the body alkaline and that creates urinary tract problems. What’s just as bad… the grains also cause diabetes. (Grains turn to sugar and upset the insulin balance). You’re definitely on the right track. I would surely recommend that you get a copy of my book to help you regulate your cat’s improvement in every way. I love vitamin c. The prescription diet contains an acidifier to help unblock the crystals.. but the food itself has been the major cause! You’re doing great. Keep us all posted on your lucky kitty’s improvement! xoxo

  17. Hello. My male cat is in pain and having frequent urination. I was wondering if I could give him 250mg if vit c whole or do I absolutely need to mix in his food? TIA ….I’m a very upset mommy right now and want to try and help him until I can get him into the vets.

    1. Jessica…. I’m very glad that you wrote me. PLEASE GET YOUR CAT TO THE VET. A male cat with a urinary tract infection could develop blockage and it could be deadly. This is one symptom you should not mess around with. The vet needs to check him out ASAP. He is in pain. His kidneys could be the problem. Once you take him to the vet and get him out of the crisis… I suggest that you begin cooking for him immediately. The vitamin C will help prevent blockage in the future. But for now.. it could be critical to get him professional help. PLEASE keep us posted. xox

  18. When feeding all the different types of recipes from your book, i.e. yogurt, blueberries, salmon, etc., I am very concerned about the shape, color and consistency of the poop. How do I incorporate all these changes? what should the bowels look like to be healthy?

    1. Great Question. Stool should be formed, and tubular. It should have no offensive odor. It should not be hard or dry. It should be easy to clean up and should be regular. Remember that feeding the stew should be the 95% of your dog’s diet. The other things are for an occasional treat or snack and not be just used for the sake of using. Make notes in your journal in my book. Be conscious of EVERYTHING you put in their mouths. You will find the perfect balance. xox

  19. Andi, thank you for this information. I have two rescued greyhounds. One began limping and the doc said possible torn acl and would need surgery. blah…. He scheduled her to come back so he can put her to sleep and take x-rays for a confirmed diagnosis. He tried manipulating her ACL and she yelled terribly. I have had to reschedule twice due to heavy snows in our area. Since then she developed a lump on the ankle of the same leg as the torn ACL. I have decided to try energy work with her and trashing her bagged “taste of the wild” dog food. and go to an organic dog food made by me. Do you have any suggestions on how I can help my Pepper with her leg issues? Thank you for your help. You are a kind soul helping our 4 legged family members.

    1. Hi Laurie, I’m so glad that you decided to make your sweet ones’ food. They will be so healthy because of your energy and work here. I couldn’t possibly tell you what to do about the leg. I would definitely use Vitamin C for all the reasons that you know. Perhaps find a holistic veterinarian who practices accupuncture and massage. I would do that less invasive route first. Keep her calm and allow the food to help make her stronger. Please keep us posted on your results. xoxox

  20. It’s working for us. My 16 week old kitty was in bad shape. She was squatting and trying to pee all over the house. There was blood in her urine. I found a vitamin c article online, crushed it up with a wooden spoon on the carving board and bought her some wet gourmet food to mix it with. I added water to her food to make sure she got the extra fluid and she lapped it right up -with the vitamin C. She was better within hours. I will keep her on it. She is content and happy and the flood gates are open!

    I used 1/2 of a 500 mg tablet, crushed. Make sure to peel off the coating and just use the powder inside.

    1. Leigh, Thank you so much for sharing about your kitty. Please make sure that you NEVER feed dry food because that is the leading cause of urinary tract infections. Let’s start your new baby off right and make her food. There’s nothing healthier for the ones you love and my book will help to keep you on track and organized. Bravo to you for making it better! xoxo

  21. Hello:
    I am researching ways to help my kitty who is experiencing UTI symptoms and I came across your site. Please be careful to check the ingredients of the vitamin C that you use for your fur babies. For instance, I use the Now brand Vitamin C for myself, but it contains xylitol, which is not safe for pets.
    Blessings always!!! 🙂
    Lisa

  22. What Brand of Vitamin C should I get for my cats? do some contain that xylito? I Just read some of the comments on here. I do not want to poison them when I am trying to help them feel better and stay Healthier!
    Thanks

    1. Hi Pam, you can search on the internet for ascorbic acid powder. Vitamin C with Rose hips are always nice. I searched for one online and came up with this one myself: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/c-1000-powder-1000-mg-17-oz-powder/vs-1018?sourceType=sc&source=FG&adGroup=60-80&keyword=VS-1018&cm_mmc=Google+Shopping-_-Product+Listing+Ads-_-60-80-_-VS-1018&gclid=CPSD1KfPnL0CFWdk7Aod5hoA2Q&gclsrc=aw.ds#.UyiDxfRDuSo
      Remember that pure vitamin c is sour tasting, so mix it well with your food! xox

  23. I HAVE A CAT THAT HAS HAD CRYSTALS IN THE PAST. SHE IS ON A SPECIAL CAT FOOD. THIS PAST WEEK SHE STARTED SPOTTING BLOOD AGAIN. WE WERE DOG SETTING FOR A FRIEND FOR 7 DAYS AND IT HAD HER PRETTY STRESSED. COULD THIS BRING ON CRYSTALS AND WILL THEY CLEAR UP ON THEIR OWN OR WILL WE HAVE TO TAKE HER TO VET.

    1. Hi Kay, Crystals and urinary tract problems are almost always very painful and can actually be deadly for a male cat. Yes – stress can certainly trigger an episode of the UTI, but it is also DIRECTLY RELATED TO DRY FOOD. Dry food dries out the entire body, the coat, skin, urinary tract, organs, etc. So – REMEMBER TO NEVER FEED DRY food and if it were my cat, I would be feeding her a homemade diet. Perhaps it’s time to get a copy of my book to read and begin creating the healthiest cat on the planet. There is no commercial pet food that will make her well. You will have to take the situation into your own hands. I hope that you’ll keep us posted. xox

  24. Hello! I Love your post! I have a question, my cat is very ill, he hasn’t eaten in a week, he has a mass in his lungs and he is very weak, I read in another article that a vet saved very ill pets with high doses of vitamin c! Do you recommend to use it on my cat, the vitamin c for humans? And since he is not eating by himself and barely drinks water, what is the best way for me to give the vitamin to him? Thank you for your help!!!

    1. Marcella… your cat is very ill. No amount of vitamin c will help him without an immediate change in diet. Vitamin C is wonderful but it is not a “CURE” for what might be the real problem. Please consider making him the Stew immediately. Sorry. Hope that this helps him to feel better. xoxo

  25. So, my cat recently fell and hurt his hip. (He is only 8 months old) but the vet told me on the phone that it can quickly heal itself. I’m looking for advice for any vitamins or herbs or anything to help him recover and help with his limp. I am 17 and have absolutely no idea about any vitamins or anything. Looking for help! Can I buy the human vitamins at walmart? Or do they need to be ordered from my local animal store?

    1. Hi Cynthiana, I would not recommend that you buy a vitamin for pets. I like to order at a reputable health food store or online. Sorry your kitty is hurting. Hopefully the vet is right and it will mend on its own. Let us know. xoxo

  26. Did you know that vitamin c neutralizes the chlorine and chloramines in tap water? Pur filtered water can’t filter out chloramines, which are more commonly used as disinfectants nowadays by water treatment facilities.
    I drop a vitamin C into a gallon pitcher of filtered water and store it in the fridge. No chloramines or chlorine along with an extra dose of vitamin c.

  27. Dear Andi
    thanks for this article. Great info for me.
    thus i have buy this vitamin C from Holland & Barrett.(Vitamin C-1000mg & Whild Rose Hips, no time release)
    it stated coated caplets, is that safe for cats?
    Glazing Agent : Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

    Thanks for your time and great help
    Wendi

  28. hi Andi
    i start my dog with your pet diet, this week , she has a very severe allergy and I stop giving her atopica and prednison and the allergy seem to come back with vengeance, the allergy is been going on for years the atopica seem to work and we just keep going back to the same circle over and over, so I am trying your pet diet and see if this will make any difference,
    I feel so bad for her cause she is just scratching and I dont know what else i can do to help her out..she is a Bichon and a super nice dog.. any thought on what else I can give her?
    thanks

    1. COOK, COOK, COOK! She will need nothing else but clean, healthy balanced food to take care of the problem forever. I hope that you get a copy of my book, so that you fully understand why the food you have been using is causing it! Good for you and start today! xoxo

  29. thanks Andi, I bought the book and following it like a mad woman…lol..we are in week 2,
    I didn’t bother transioning her food we just went straight to the stew and she love it a lot. she lick the bowl until all the food are scrape out..I am on my second batch of stew and I can see her checking the kitchen while I am cooking. Now she is excited when its dinner time. Her coat is so nice and soft from having the coat formula and her ears are getting better. We are defnitly in the rigth track and I am so thankful to find your book, it has a lot of information I could utilize to keep my pooch healthy..thanks again and will keep you posted in her progress.

  30. How many teaspoons or tablespoons of Now Foods Buffered C-Complex powder with bioflavonoids, rose hips, and Acerola do I give my 10 yr old shih tzu? Should I put it in her food or water? She has had 3 surgeries for stones in her lifetime already and gets urinary tract infections often it seems. Her vet put her on a $$$ prescription diet that she hates to eat, so I will be trying out your stew recipes on her. I hope that this is just the thing she needs. I ordered the book and can’t wait for it to arrive! 🙂

    1. Hi Ruby, how many mg per teaspoon is the product? The amount of Vitamin C should be based upon her weight, and health issues. You’ll want to start out slowly. Begin with about 500 mg a day for a few days and then work your way up to the maintenance dosage. If she is around 20 pounds, then I would probably use about 2,500 mg – 3,000 per day while her body is responding to the new food. You can assess the amount as you go. Once you have her on healthy homemade food and there are no more signs of the issues… you can reduce the amount to a lesser dose. Please cook for her. I am certain that food (dry food especially) is the cause of the stones. I’m excited that you’re beginning with a new lifestyle. You will both love what the stew can do. You put the vitamins in the food. Mix well. NO MORE COMMERCIAL FOOD! xoxo

  31. Hi so I have an older that was around dog that had kennel cough I’m pretty concerned because I think the rest of my dogs might have it so I’m wondering if vitamin C will help shorten the sickness?

    1. Vitamin C is a great option to help boost the immune system and keep all your dogs strong and resistant to disease and degeneration. There is nothing more important than a healthy, homemade diet though. Both the food and the vitamins are your intelligent key to success. xox

    1. Yes, you can give vitamin c at any age, but you must realize that a homemade diet is really critical for making her immune system strong and now is the best time to start! xox

  32. Hi,
    Could I give my dog Vitamin C for a UTI, if so, how much for a 48lb dog? His vet prescribed antibiotics too, is it okay do take the vitamin c with them?

    1. Hi Jen.. Yes you can give your dog Vitamin C along with the antibiotics. You can also continue to give it to him to help prevent further problems with the urinary tract. If it were my dog – I would be giving him about 3,000 mg a day, split into two doses. (1,500 each dose). Once the problem is over, I would drop down to about 1,200 – 1,500 mg a day… depending on what other foods and vitamins he was getting. If you are not cooking for your dog right now… I would definitely start. I have found that dry food is definitely a culprit in urinary tract problems and as you may know, I DO NOT recommend ANY commercially made foods on the market. xox

  33. I have an 11 year old cat who’s being tested for possible lymphoma. her legs are very weak and she can barely get around, but she’s alert and has a good appetite. her white blood cell count is high, her red blood cells are low and she’s got swollen lymph nodes. is there anything I could give her to help her? I can’t afford chemo treatments. would vitamin C help?

    1. Daniel, I would recommend that you get a copy of my book TODAY and begin the cooking ASAP. All of the supplements would be beneficial for sure, and Vitamin C alone will not do much for your sweet one. I’m sorry to know that she is going through this, but you can bet that no commercial cat food will help her. Please keep us in the loop. Use the food. Let the food be the medicine NOW. xoxoxo

  34. What are your thoughts on human beings (and other primates )and guinea pigs needing dietary vitamin c whereas dogs and cats can synthesize sufficient amount of vitamin c on their own? Would you consider that as something to take into consideration for providing vitamin c for dogs/cats as important as for humans?

    1. Hi Dan,
      According to all the holistic vets I know.. dogs and cat do not make enough vitamin c on their own and because they are mostly eating commercially, highly processed foods… they often develop things like urinary tract infections and other problems. I like supplementing with C and can’t say enough good things about it. Grains in the diet are also culprit and can wreak havoc on their bodies. C builds collagen too, so I think it’s a win win for them. xoo

      1. I’ve looked up the vitamin C synthesis pathway and saw that the precursor of vitamin C is (it’s glucose)), how can the grain and filler loaded commercial dog food not provide enough glucose for vitamin c synthesis?

  35. Do you still recommend using wheat bran in the Anitra Frazier’s Vita-Mineral Mix? It would just seem that dogs with digestion problems or IBS would have difficulties with bran, and there are no nutrients in bran and cause the transit time to be quicker. I saw that in your Halo product that you used flaxseed and some sort of clay. Just wondering.
    Thank you?

    1. Hi Lee, I don’t think there is anything wrong with the recipe. It has been used by thousands of people and their pets for decades. I don’t own Halo anymore, and cannot recommend anything made by any commercial pet food company. Flaxseed is fine for dogs, and montmorillonite clay has amazing minerals and helps to clean out the digestive tract so that food can be absorbed more easily. Hope this helps. xox

  36. My beloved nine year old lab was diagnosed with diabetes she developed cataracts in days and now her right eye has high pressure
    If been researching about vitamin c benefits also e and silinium and vitamin a and now I giving my Gucci ocuglo also so daily 5000 vA 400 vE silinium and 500 mg v C
    I don’t know what to do to make her better also I’m scared am I giving her too. Much vitamins all human vitamins also I would like your opinion on glutathione Reduced pills to help reverse cataracts

    1. Hi Sally, recently I had the pleasure of working with a 15 year old dog who developed stage 4 cataracts. We put him on the stew diet along with the supplements that I recommend in my book. This dog couldn’t run or even walk outside because his joints were so bad. According to his vet… his cataracts are GONE and he is running and playing with the family again. Regarding the diabetes… that too is hugely helped by making the food. Diabetes has been linked to dry food with grains and even wet food with sugar and grains. I can’t say enough great things about my homemade food. Please give it a try and it would be helpful for you to get my book. Keep us posted. xoxo

  37. Hi,
    Thanks for the information regarding vita c. My poodle has just been diagnosed with glaucoma. I am learning of the assistance of vita c for this condition and wondered if the ascorbic acid should be buffered to help their tummies? I also have a lypospheric vita c that he may like better and avoids their digestive system to go straight into the cellular level. Can you comment on the Ascorbic Acid verses the Sodium Ascorbate and also the lypospheric vita c for dogs? I offer these to my kids, but have not yet to my dogs…
    Thank-you

    1. Hi Kari… Funny, I just worked with a 15 year old dog with my diet and he had 4th stage cataracts. I believe that first and foremost, it is about the food we feed and then the supplements to use according to the specific pet’s needs. I like what I’ve been reading and hearing about the lypo spheric vitamin c. I would not opt for the sodium ascorbate, but a buffered vitamin c or ascorbic acid mostly for cats. Please try the lypo and let us all know how it goes for your sweet poodle. Thank you for writing! xox

  38. My 12 year old Yorkie was prescribed a dry kidney diet for a slightly elevated creatinine. 6 months later she is in full renal failure as well as cushings disease. I started researching ( wish I had done thus long ago) and have begun cooking for my pup. Mainly tapioca and small amount of meat with vitamins added. Her creatinine is now close to normal and her sky high phosphorus and potassium within normal limits. I would like to slowly get her on a more balanced diet but not sure what her kidneys can tolerate. Do you cover this in your book? What supplements do you recommend for kidney failure? Thank you for the wonderful info in your post and for your reply ( in advance).

    1. Hi Kim, PLEASE GET YOUR SWEETIE ON MY STEW IMMEDIATELY! They should NEVER be on a dry food, especially with kidney problems. Dry food dries out the whole body, and especially the kidneys which need to be hydrated with the food they eat. I’m glad that she is recovering and I’m so sorry for the delay in response. I was on vacation:) My book will help guide you through all the necessary supplements and the food will amaze you and your sweet one. I can tell you that it was created originally (back in 1986) for my cat with renal failure who was given 6 months to live and stayed with me and thrived for another 13 years! Keep us posted. We can’t wait to hear how healthy she becomes. xox

  39. Hey,my two years old cat is suffering from autoimmune gingivitis for a year now,
    She’s getting steroids shots which are not the answer,therefor she’s getting holistic treatments and I’ve tried treating her with colloidal silver which made a bit of improvement but not enough,I’ve heard Zinc,Vitamin C and E can help but her veterinarian claims for it to be dangerous…do you think vitamin C can help her?

    1. If your two year old cat is having these problems now.. it’s definitely time to change the food and it wouldn’t hurt to give her vitamin c. It can only help for sure. Please start making her food though. You’ll see vast improvements in every aspect of your kittie’s health.

      1. Hey again thanks for your answer! I switch her diet for raw a month ago and there a huge general improvement in her and in my male cat,but her gums are c still red 🙁
        Can I give her human grade vitamins? I also heard that zinc and vitamin E can also help with dental issues,what do you think?

  40. I have a female persian who has joint issues and hurts to get around and also aquired chronic cystitis which have been to vet and have been on several antibiotics and it clears then will flare up again . Now it seems under control it’s mainly her stiffness and getting around . She is on a special diet for uti . I also have a new baby male persian who recently started urinating alot and had some blood in urine . Vet said had high amount t bacteria in urine and put him on clavomox which seems to have helped but my question is can I give them both vitamin c and if he is 12 weeks is that to young ?

    1. Heidi, you really have to stop and ask yourself “WHAT IS GIVING MY CATS THESE PROBLEMS?”. Could it be dry food? Commercial food (especially dry) causes urinary tract problems. Vitamin c is fine for a pet of any age, but you are not getting to the cause. Time to get a copy of my book and start making food for your furry kids. You will see everything improve in a very short time. Please begin making the stew and see for yourself. xox

  41. Hi Andi,
    I am want to change my dogs to a homemade food, but there are times I do not have the time, Where can I buy your food and snacks. Also my Shih Tsu has cronic dry eye and I have to put opti immune in her eyes everyday. Do you have any suggestions that would help her produce more tears. Also what is your opion of vaccines and front line flea treatments. Thank you for your help.

    1. Hi Lori, Lots of questions here. I’ll try to sum it all up. First of all.. it would be great if you got a copy of my book, because it addresses all that you need to know in an easy to read and fun format. I am not currently making any products, but make sure you sign up for my newsletter, so I can keep you informed of when I do produce great products again. The eyes are a reflection of the food you’re feeding. Dry food makes the whole body dry. I never support any dry food. I do understand that making your food is a labor of love and once you get the hang of it.. my guess is that you’ll only have to cook once or twice a month, because you’ll be freezing what you don’t use in the first wee. As far as vaccines go.. you really need to consider what is legal in your state and the risks associated with them. As far as the flea treatments.. a TRULY healthy pet does not get parasites and the way to have a truly healthy pet is to cook. So… I think you and your sweet one will definitely benefit big time from the healthy homemade food. Hope this helps.. xox Andi

  42. Hi,

    My 14 year old Aussie / Golden female is developing cataracts. Would vitamin C be effective in reducing or eliminating them?

    Thanks!

    1. Hi there… i have a very dear friend with a 15 year old dog who developed 4th stage cataracts without any hope from the vet to help him see. He began making my stew and within 4 months, the cataracts were gone. The vet was BLOWN AWAY! Need I say more? xox Andi

  43. Hi
    All my dogs are fed (prey model), I’m aware that Vitamin C is available in their raw meat but, I have a pup whose relatives have a history of elbow dysplasia so I was considering adding extra Vitamin C to her diet.
    My question is, how much should a pup have? (shes a Bullmastiff, 9 weeks and 6kg) also, are there any risks to adding Vitamin C?
    Thanks

    1. Hi There… I think that as a prevention method.. vitamin C is a good choice. If it were my pup… I would give her between 2,500 mg and 5,000 mg a day of vitamin c. Once she is fully grown.. you may even want to add more. You will have to wait and see how she develops on her own. xoxo Andi

  44. Hi
    I have a 10 1/2 year old Great Dane. She has some arthritis in her lower back and hips. She was on Novox for about 8 months, and her CRE is 1.5 which the vet said is slightly above normal. He said it was more likely up by the 2 TBS of raw chicken or salmon I gave her in her food, not the meds. He said they had too much protien and her kidneys couldn’t filter it…? But he stopped the Novox and she’s now taking Duralactin, which seems to help with the stiffness some, and her CRE went from 1.6 to 1.5. She also gets Glucosamine and a cranberry relief powder. I started her on vitamin C with rose hips recently. She’s up to 1500 a day with no diarrhea. What dose would you recommend, and is the raw chicken and salmon really bad for her?
    Also, I have a 5 year old Great Pyrenees. He has no issues at all and is quite active. What dose would you recommend for him?
    Thanks.

    1. Hi Amy… I am not a really big fan of raw foods for dogs. It helps them so much more when the meat is cooked and is already broken down for better digestion. I would definitely get a copy of my book, which explains so much. Because of the dog’s sizes… If they were mine.. I would be giving them more like 5,000 mg of Vitamin C a day. Go slowly as you increase it, and take notes and see and monitor how they do. Keep us posted. xoo Andi

  45. i just started about feeding dogs whole foods.. like the idea. But I also was reading the fatty acid list. I gave my dogs a very small amount of organic coconut oil, just to see if that would help their coats. But that gave them diarrhea. And that just the coconut oil. I’m really Leary about giving them that whole list of oils. They, all have skin allergies. My one dog, Odie, is real bad. I want to help them but don’t want to overwhelm the poor things.

    1. Hi there… sometimes a new addition to the diet can cause a bit of loose stool. If they have allergies… they really need a change of diet and the oils in combination should help a lot. However… if you don’t change the food… and start making it – you will probably not see spectacular results. It would be great if you could get a copy of my book. It makes it so easy to do the new program and you will never regret doing so. It’s never too late to feed well. xoo Andi

  46. Hello. Im wondering if it ok to grind up some Vitamin C in wet cat food for my cat. I think he dislocated part of his tail and he hurts. We cant afford to take him to the vet right now but i still want to help him heal if i can.

    1. Yes, the vitamin c would be fine.. but i would love to see you make his food to help him heal. Protein will be important and my recipe for Stew is the best source of that for him. Good luck. Sorry he hurts. xoxo

  47. I recently found a company through Facebook who sells a liquid vitamin C supplement for cats that’s human grade and I was wondering if you’ve heard of them? The name is Two Crazy Cat Ladies and the product is called Vita-Cat. I just got my order yesterday and started taking it in my water today (I always try the products before I give it to my cats). I already have been taking vitamin C, so I’m not sure that I’ll notice a difference very quickly. Please let me know if you or anyone has heard of this product before.

    1. Hi… I don’t know this company… but I really only trust natural human product companies for my own pets. Please let us know how you/they like it!

  48. Hello ,I have a 2 1/2 month old English Bulldog puppy. She has kenell cough.Aside from the antibiotics the Vet gave her I’ve been also giving her 2 teaspoons of honey twice a day for relief of irritation from coughing. I would like to know if human vitamin C 500mg is good for her? and if it is ,what dose should I give her and how many time a day? Please let me know.Thank you:)

    1. Hi Jeica…. Yes, I ONLY recommend HUMAN products for pets at this time. Vitamin C will be helpful, but MORE IMPORTANTLY….. she should be eating the very best food on the planet. I recommend that you begin to cook for her as soon as possible. WIthout great food… there will probably not be great health. Getting a copy of my book to help you through the process will be wonderful, and/but you can begin by finding the recipe for Doc’s Stew right on my website here. Without knowing her weight.. i can’t give you an amount, but probably 500-1000 twice a day is great. Start slowly and gradually increase. xox

  49. Hi, i have a 4 months white pomeranian girl.
    She has vey bad brown tear stains.
    I’ve only had her for 2 weeks , her breeder fed her on raw mince twice daily and free grain dry food that was regularly available thought out the day. I expect due to having around 12 dogs.
    Ibdid not continue the raw mince as the vet advised that it can contribute to the staining.
    I am currently feeding her and my 6 month black pom boy raw puppy food (natural instinct ) 3 times daily. And around 10 to 20g of Arden Grange dry.
    My boy is over weight as per kennel club weight limits. Current weight is 2.2kg.
    My girl is 1.4kg…
    My concerns for my boy is his weight and my girl her tear staining is quite bad, least i think so. Plus she tries to eat my boys stools. Even if she’s just eaten..
    Ivwill be buying ur book and the liquid vitamin c, any adice, im getting very concerned about her staining….

    1. Hi Ellen,
      Your sweet pom is having problems that can certainly be overcome with the Stew as your basic diet. All of the symptoms you mention, – overweight, staining, stool eating – are all signs that the food you’re feeding is not doing a good job. Please do get a copy of my book and begin to feed Doc’s Stew today! You will be sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo glad you did. You can find the recipe for the stew on my website but please get a book so you can really understand why these problems are happening. Keep us all posted! xoxo Andi

      1. Hi Andi, thsnks for ur reply.
        Yes I’ve ordered ur book from amazon, juzt waiting for it to arrive.
        But just to add, i have 2 poms. My boy is 6 months and is house trained, he does NOT eat the poo, he is just a little over weight.
        My girl which is 4 months, I’ve only had her 3 weeks now, was not house trained by tge breeder. I’m sure she’ll work it out eventually, but she is the one eating the poo….
        Ive have them both now on only Natural Instinct Raw Puppy food and natural treats for training etc…. but her tear staining and poo eating are my msin concerns for her…..
        I look forwzrd to reading your book and trying the stew, but should i feed the ONLY the Stew or combine with the raw food, meaning alternating the raw and stew Meals, ie. 1 of each per day or alternate 1 day stew, 1 day raw ??? Thankyou Andi….

        1. Hi Ellen.. JUST THE STEW. So many people “think” they are doing so much good with raw food, but animals in the wild who consume the food they had to hunt and kill are different from the domestic pups that lounge around all day. STEW STEW STEW. take notes. You will never change the protocol, once you see how brilliantly and quickly it works! xoxoox Andi

  50. HI I have a kitten diagnosed with dry FIP. She was running low grade fever and quit eating. I’ve been force feeding her chicken human baby food, pedialyte and nutrical (sometimes she eats this on her own). So far shes maintaining but I read a blog from a vet who saved her kitten from FIP..I know this is rare but she is a feline only vet now-And so I started her on steroids and I want to add the vitamin C to her daily food. I figure I’m not out anything to TRY. I also put her on clindomycin just to rule out Toxoplasmosis.which she has been on for a week and still seems about the same but now has some congestion. We run a rescue and do not have the funds to run all the tests. The vet I think has just written her off and didn’t offer any type of meds to give her. I just want to give it our best shot to keep her alive. What dose of Vitamin C would you suggest? She is just 3 lbs..approx 8 months old. Shes already spayed and had all her shots and neg FIV/FeLV. Ijust cannot give up on her as long as shes not in real pain. She seems fine and alert just will not eat. We even got her fever gone at least for now. Fingers crossed.

    1. Marianne… the best suggestion I have is that you begin to make my Doc’s Stew immediately. She will likely pull out of it if you can give her all the important nutrients she needs to get strong. The vitamin C is also good, and/but it is not a panacea. This should be added to the healthy diet. I would start with 500 mg a day, broken into two feedings. (maybe 3 or 4 small meals a day). Sounds like she is coming around. Don’t give up on her. Take her food to be her medicine. You will – I’m sure see and love the results. Keep up the great work. xo Andi

      1. Gotta love Dr. Belfield! BUT please don’t forget the true importance of real, wholesome, healthy, natural food – homemade is the best. xox

  51. Hi I have two kittens that we have recently rescued one of them is a lot smaller and frail than the other they are on Royal Canin dry food, can I feed them any vitamin C tablets? I am unaware of their age all I know is they are still very young

    1. They will probably not want to chew on vitamin c tablets. Depending on the type of Vitamin C you have.. you could mix it with some wet food. I do not recommend ANY DRY FOOD for ANY CAT. Not a good choice. Cats need a lot of moisture in their diet. Perhaps you could get a copy of my book, and also begin to cook for them for optimal health! Hope you start! Good luck. xo

  52. Hi, I have a 14 yr old cat who I know could certainly benefit from Vit C. He has never been on dry food only canned. I have tried many times over the years to get Vit C down him. Even buried in his wet food, he would not eat it, at all! He could smell the difference apparently. (did I say he was very spoiled?) So, I was wondering about liposomal Vit C which is something kind of new, I think. You can use much less of it to get the desired dosage and doesn’t taste as sour. Do you know anything about that kind of Vit C? Or do you have any other recommendations about how to hide the Vit C powder? I stumbled across this site when googling liposomal Vitamin C for cats BTW. I would be interested in the stew everyone is mentioning here.

    1. Hi Marcia, typically vitamin c has a sour taste, so it’s a bit difficult to mask it in food. Sometimes I make a solution with water and if I want to be sure my cat will take it… I administer it in an eyedropper. Ususally I can bury it in her stew, though. Oh YES.. the wonderful stew is ready for you to make it too! You’ll both love what it does for his body! Lots of love in the pot! xoxo Andi

  53. Greetings… Rosehips or Rose Hips are not dangerous to cats but they can cause loose stools or even diarrhea. Avoid giving your cat Rosehips until you consult with your animals doctor first. I have given my cat Vit C with Rosehips because I bought without looking carefully at the Vit C bottle. In very small print it said RoseHips! I called my vet after two days of dosing him, left a message with the service, went to Google and my search and my pets doctor both stated that diarrhea could be a side effect and loose bowel movements are a fact. It DID prove to be true in our case. Our cat had pasty poop for one day even after I stopped giving it to him. He’s 12 pounds and I only give him 1/10 the dose of human but now I have animal Vit C… not buffered Crystal C because he needs the acid for his chronic Stomatitis and Aids virus. I did not toss it out though, I am keeping it for a fix if he should ever become constipated!

    1. Hi Deborah, Vitamin C should be used very slowly. Yes it can definitely cause loose stool. I go over all of this in my book in much more detail. Please do not think the vitamin is a panacea for your kitty. You should also be cooking my Doc’s Stew for him. I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll not be seeing the vet again for common health problems. xoxo Andi

  54. Hi Andi!
    my dog Cannelle is 4 years old and have gerd symptomes for quites a while, right now i feed her royal canine high energy gastro intestinal, i give her 4 smal meals a day instead of two…it does help but she’s not symptoms free…i want to start her on your chicken stew…do you think that adding your oil mix could worsen her symptomes…and do you think that vitamins c could help…by the way i just order your book today can wait to start reading it.

    1. Hi Leona… Any form of a digestive disorder is pretty much linked to the food that one is eating. I am CERTAIN that if you start making your sweet Cannelle’s food… that the symptoms will QUICKLY be a thing of the past. The stew is easy for the body to absorb, utilize and eliminate. So… she should be feeling fabulous in no time. I think that the oils will definitely help her. They enable the body to eliminate the “muck” that often cloggs up the digestive tract, and lets the body absorb all the great nutrients in the homemade food. You may be aware that I am not a fan of ANY commercial pet food. I just can’t trust the food makers to care for the ones I love as much as I do. Vitamin C will also be good. But not yet. Vitamin C (certain kinds) can be a bit harsh on the tummy. So let’s get her great and then make that decision later. You’re a great Mom for making the food and reading my book. I promise you a great outcome. xoxo Andi

      1. What about a senior cat, losing weight for the past year, inappetent, developer of calcium oxalates in the urine. Ultrasound shows cysts in his 2 kidneys, 2 small masses in liver and some liquid which was aspired and sent to lab. Results this Monday. I thought about giving kitty Vitamin C but then found it is not good if cat has problems developing oxalates and he does. Any other option to boost his immune system? Doctor asks to rule out peritonitis vs neoplasia vs vasculitis

        1. Hi Katherine,
          Senior cat… needs the best nutrition he can get. Start cooking. Get my book, and/but you can begin by making the stew. Use the Doc’s Stew recipe here on the website. Food is the ONLY thing that will truly boost the immune system. Vitamin C (without buffers) is great to help boost the immune system and it helps to keep the urinary tract clear from crystals. If you are feeding ANY dry food… throw it out. Start new with stew and remember that it’s NEVER too late to eat well. Please keep us posted on your success. xoxo

    1. Hi there,
      I have no idea what you are using the vitamin c for and I have no idea what the syrup is. Please be more specific so that I may help.. Andi

  55. My kitty, Fancy, has been diagnosed with Stage 2 kidney disease. I can give her treats for her probiotic. SHE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GIVE FLUIDS TO, and I thought the Vitamin C would help.

    1. Hi ELizabeth, So sorry to have taken so long to respond to you. Vitamin C is helpful but without a COMPLETE diet change… no amount of vitamin C is going to make it better. I am assuming that you are feeding commercial food. This cannot be done anymore. She will need plenty of hydrating stew to help heal the kidneys. Please see my book for all kinds of great info. xoxo Andi

  56. Your article is on point. I have studied and read many of the articles written by Dr. Belfield. Dr. Belfield’s findings were ahead of his time. I do believe that Dr. Belfied based his findings and use of Vit C in the form of SODIUM ASCORBATE NOT ASCORBIC ACID. There is a huge difference and result. If you agree, could you correct your article?

    1. I believe that it depends on what you are specifically using it for. For cats and animals with urinary tract infections (which are incredibly common).. i think that ascorbic acid is much more suitable. Sometimes pets or people don’t need extra sodium (as in the sodium ascorbate). I think that you are very wise to question this and hope that you choose the best version for your PARTICULAR pet’s needs. Thanks.. xox Andi

  57. We have a cat 6 months old with acute renal failure and he is not getting better. Which daily dose do you recommend for him. Thank you

    1. Alida, it is not about giving vitamin c to your kitten, as much as it’s about giving your kitten the most perfect food that the kidneys can process easily. If you are feeding dry food.. please stop immediately. Dry food should never be used, especially with kidney cats. PLEASE start to make the food immediately. You have an opportunity to have an incredibly healthy cat if you begin right away. I suggest you get a copy of my book, so that you can make better choices in everything you do for him. You can find my Doc’s Stew recipe right here on the website and it will be the greatest gift you can give your sweet one. Vitamin c alone will not be your answer. xox Andi

  58. hello

    my Golden Retriever Lilly has always had issues with her skin, unfortunately it has become much worst in past couple of weeks. When i have visited our vet they said it due to alergies but nfortunately test are far to expensive for us. I have just ordered your book but i was wondering could high dose of Vitamin C improve her skin as well?
    Thank you very much Jana

    1. Hi Jana,
      The vitamin c is nice and helpful, but the problem with the skin is almost 100% due to the food you’ve been feeding. I cannot recommend ANY commercially prepared foods, but teach everyone that to achieve optimal health for our sweet pets.. you MUST make their food yourself. Allergies are a catch phrase and they are so common. So, now we need to take a look at what we have been using and understand that it is completely inferior to anything you will make yourself. I’m so very glad you ordered the book because it will explain so much as to why Lilly is having the issues and the best news is that Lilly will no longer have the issues if you follow the food plan. It’s an easy read, and I’m very much here for you to help. If you have questions along the way.. it is best to use the “contact andi” button, or shoot me an e mail. I don’t check the comments here all the time. Don’t worry. You are going to be VERY happy and your vet will think you are very clever! xoxo Andi

  59. I have a 2 year old cat with either a food allergy or Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex would vitamin C help him with his rashes?

    1. Hi Alicia,
      Vitamin C alone will not do that much good. You need to know that it all begins and ends with REAL, Wholesome, Healthy Homemade Food. Without the Doc’s Stew on your side…(my best recipe for homemade stew) you can’t expect a whole lot with the “allergies” and the granulomas. I do not recommend ANY commercially prepared food. Not dry, not canned. It’s very sad, but pet food companies don’t care what they put in their products. Get onto the Doc’s Stew. The recipe is FREE for you on the website. It would be great if you also got a copy of my book, which is a really easy and fun read, but will explain all that you need to know to stay out of the Vet’s office. Make the food and keep us posted. Vitamin c can be added to the stew right before you serve it and will help to boost the immune system but you need real food to begin with. xoxo Andi

    2. HI Alicia,

      Two of my kitties have Eosinophilic Granuloma and as long as I give them 250/mgs of L-Lysine twice a day and two full droppers (the dropper came w/the product) of Colloidal Silver they never have any flare-ups whatsoever!!

      I began with a small bottle of Sovereign Silver (I order it on Amazon). I switched to one specifically for pets which is just as effective and costs much less. Silver for Pets-32 Oz-20 PPM Dietary Health Supplement – For Dogs, Cats, Birds, Fish, Horses and All Pets and even humans. Also available on Amazon.

      My vet had given them steroids and they never got better. I also find these two supplements help their mild stomatitis.

      I think the worst thing for a cat with this illness is cheap and processed food. Moreover, dry kibble. But if you must feed dry I recommend a human quality brand like Orijen or Wysong. Avoid tapioca, starches, and carrageenan as they cause a myriad of illnesses from tooth decay, cancer, cessation of cellular respiration and much more. Homemade food is best with the appropriate and required supplements like taurine, vitamins, and minerals. I believe Andi is spot on with her advice.

      I started my cats on a “human grade’ diet years ago but two kitties still had trouble with the E.G. and that when I added the two supplements I mentioned above and between the two they have never had a flare up.

      Best of luck to you and kitty!! <3

      1. Fabulous information Kara! Thank you for sharing this. I cannot recommend ANY commercially prepared pet foods as you know. I encourage EVERYONE to cook! Thanks and You’re a Great Mom! xoxo Andi

  60. Hello Andi,

    First, thank you so much for your wonderful blog! I am VERY impressed with how often you reply to visitors!! I have been to many blogs where people just plain ignore questions. So, it is very nice to see an active blog from someone that obviously cares!

    So, I have been thinking about adding Vitamin C to my cat’s supplements to try and mitigate the effects of stomatitis. I have read that C helps to rebuild oral tissue and can calm sores. Are you familiar with this claim? I would love your input.

    However, I am a bit worried about adding too much because Web/PetMd says that too much C can cause an acidic environment which can lead to bladder crystals and a blockage. I have a 10 yr old male that had this very problem about two summers ago and he hadn’t been on dry kibble for years and I hadn’t been giving him anything supplement nor food wise that would have put him at risk. I now mix about 4 teaspoons of drinking water, Ph balanced water, or distilled water with their small wet food meals three times a day.

    Do you feel it would be okay to add C to even my bladder crystal prone kitty? If so, what dose would you recommend to start with and to titrate up to? ie, how much/body weight?

    Thank you in advance for your time and efforts to help me. YOU are greatly appreciated! <3

    1. Hi Kara,
      Thank you for your kind words and sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. I’ve been planning a BIG WEDDING coming up next week! I would not hesitate to use vitamin c. Rule of thumb for me is that 250mg a day is great for maintenance. Ascorbic acid is acidic and does help to break down crystals. However… it can be rough on the tummy and some people prefer a more buffered product that is gentler. (Perhaps EsterC?). You will need to play with the dosages. My own cat Spot (who was prone to urinary tract problems, – and my reason for beginning helping animals over 30 years ago) – used to get 500mg of ascorbic acid every day. Broken down into two doses. The vets said I should put him to sleep at age 2 and he lived 11 more wonderful years. I hope this helps. Feel free to reach out to me for a quicker response if you need one at andi@thewholepetdiet.com
      xoxo

  61. ps. Sorry, I forgot you have a dose recommendation above. {blushing} – But, would you recommend a lower dose for my kitty, Seymour, who had the bladder crystal episode?

    1. 250 mg is what I believe is a good maintenance dose. You should always start slowly. So maybe begin a few days of 100mg till the body adjusts. xoxo ANdi

  62. Hi I have a cat with FLUTD. I bought some ascorbic acid Vitamin C powder yesterday however I do not know the dose to give him. He will not eat his food if I mix the powder into it we have already tried that one. The only way to get him to take it is syringing it into his mouth. I need to know how much powder to how much water do I mix THEN I need to know how much of the liquid mix do I administer to him. He currently weighs 4.2kg.

    1. Hi Car,
      Vitamin C powder is very sour. I don’t recommend using a syringe, but actually mixing it well into a moist food. There is no food on the market that I recommend, but you should start cooking his food right away. Dry food is a big problem with the urinary tract health and actually causes kidney and urinary issues. You can find the recipe on my website here for Doc’s Stew. There is NOTHING better than this to feed your kitty. The food change could clear it all up, and but for added comfort… you might consider giving him 250 mg a day as maintenance, or 500mg a day if he is really having issues. Without a food and diet total change… you will probably always be battling the FLUTD. Please get a copy of my book. It is an easy and fun read and will make a lot of sense and keep your sweet one healthy for many years to come. Keep us posted on your success xox Andi

  63. Hello,,, are you a licence Vet? because I have been told to stay away from Vitamin C due to calcium stones in male cats…. so is that true or not? I give my cat 50mg of potassium citrate daily now.

    1. While I’m not a veterinarian….. all of the holistic veterinarians I know – use and recommend vitamin c for cats. I like ascorbic acid myself and have found it to be very effective to keep the urinary tract and kidneys healthy. The thing that will really make the body healthy and keep it free of blockages – are feeding homemade foods that have a balance of healthy meats and alkaline veggies to help the body process the protein. Please consider making your cat’s food, so that you can really experience glowing, great health. You can find the recipe for Doc’s Stew on my website… and the book has a lot of great recipes for your sweet one.

  64. Someone adopted a cat from me, and she has a severe upper respiratory virus! She’s willing to try anything at this point! I want to get her vitamin C , but I want to get her the best kind! I read some on lypo spheric vitamin c (not sure if it’s a gel or in powder form) and read it’s the best absorbable kind. What do you suggest? I want to order this one for her but not sure. Thanks so much for your info!

    1. You are on the wrong track. Vitamin C is not THE ANSWER. REAL, WHOLESOME, HEALTHY FOOD IS THE ANSWER AND VITAMIN C IS AN ADJUNCT. Without the real food… all the vitamin c in the world does not matter. FOOD is the foundation of great health. Please don’t just use the vitamin c, but get a copy of my book which explains so much in an easy to understand format. Thanks and I’m here to help. But it’s the food and not the vitamin. Andi

  65. Also, she has been on antibiotics, but nothing is working well, so we want to try high doses of vitamin c and lysine, etc…anything!! Is Lypo spheric Vitamin C or liposomal Vitamin C the best kind for cats? Are they the same? Thanks so much for the info! I love your page!

  66. Hi,

    My cat had a disease called feline cutaneous asthenia and it’s pretty much a collagen deficency, making my cats skin very elastic and susceptible to tears. She currently wears a body suit and soft cone and she is a very happy cat I promise even if the circumstances suck. I went to a specialist and they informed me that vitamin C has a possible link to helping her disease. I bought vitamin C drops and she would not touch her food when I put a few drops in it and she hates when I put it right into her mouth. I apologize if you mentioned any ideas in the comments, I only read about half of them. I wanted to see if you knew of any treats with the vitamin in it that is from a reputable brand or if you have any other advice.

    Thank you for any help,
    Eric

    1. Hi Eric,
      As I mentioned in my e mail to you yesterday…. the BEST cure is a healthy, homemade diet. You can hide the vitamin C in the stew, and your sweet kitty will surely benefit from the vitamin, but you’ll be really addressing the CAUSE of the problem by taking her off ALL commercial foods and treats and making them yourself. Please keep us in your loop. I know that you will be totally amazed at the turn around you should see in a very short time. Thanks for sharing your story. xo Andi

  67. I love vitamin c for so many reasons. I give it to all my cats to prevent urinary tract blockages and it seems to make my ten year old dog a whole lot more energetic. Thank you so much for all your help with the food. I’ve shared your book and recipes with so many friends. You may not remember, but two years ago – your stew brought my Golden Doodle back to life. His old food was making him sick on a daily basis and although they claimed it was “holistic”, it was definitely not a good food. My whole family is so grateful for your book.

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