Canine Nutrition

Many dog food companies replaced corn with sweet potatoes so if you use B-vitamins, learn how this can interfere with potentially critical lab results.

BIOTIN: GOOD OR BAD VITAMIN

Sue Beaulieu, Health Research Editor

Foods that are rich in biotin include egg yolks, almonds, cauliflower, cheeses, mushrooms, sweet potatoes. corn, beef liver, soybeans, oats and spinach.

The Good: Biotin is a vitamin that belongs to the “B complex vitamins” group. It’s also sometimes referred to as vitamin H. Having healthy amounts of biotin is associated with having glossy hair, glowing skin, and sturdy nails in both dogs and people.

The Bad: The FDA warns that high doses of vitamin B7, or biotin ^{{Ref #1}}, in dietary supplements ^{{Ref #2}} can interfere with hundreds of common lab tests -- including some that emergency room doctors rely on to diagnose a heart attack ^{{Ref #3}}.

Biotin is in many multivitamins. It’s also sold in formulas that are marketed to improve hair and nail growth. People only need about 30 micrograms of biotin a day, while the amount varies in different breeds and types of dogs. Supplements usually contain much more. The right amount of biotin is healthy but too much of a good thing can be harmful.

The Ugly: Some people can have a severe autoimmune reaction to biotin. This will cause an itchy flaky rash. I believe the same can happen in dogs but it isn’t as visible.

There are many reasons that canines develop rashes. Insect bites, fungal infections such as ringworm, allergic reactions, parasites, infections, breed specific inherited conditions, endocrine disruptors and autoimmune disease. A vet who is experienced and knowledgeable about canine dermatitis can help you determine the cause of your dog’s discomfort and work with you to heal the animal.

But what if the cure just might be the cause?

Egg yolks contain a healthy amount of biotin but they must be cooked or hardboiled. Feeding raw eggs to dogs can actually cause a biotin deficiency since the egg whites contain an enzyme that interferes with biotin absorption. Stepping on biotin isn’t healthy!

Antibiotics can also cause a deficiency because they mess up the microbes in your dog’s gut. This can interfere with the levels of biotin in your dog’s body.

Check your dog food labels. A mostly vegan diet is not healthy for dogs. I also see vegan recipes that contain large amounts of sweet potatoes and other veggies. A small amount may be OK, but too much may cause problems.

TheDogPress.com has warned about GMO Round Up Ready soybeans^{{Ref #4}}. Most soybeans have been created in a lab to survive heavy spraying of glyphosate, a known endocrine disruptor. Remember the saying, “It’s not good to fool with Mother Nature.”

A current fad that we have all heard about is the “Beyond Meat Burger”. These contain a great deal of soy and soy contains a great deal of estrogen. The hormone itself can throw other hormones off balance. This is a controversial subject and the information campaign is said to have been started by ranchers but nevertheless, soy is a phyto-estrogen that has both positive and negative results.

This we do know – dogs are carnivores and need meat and protein. Buyer Beware! A new market for “Beyond Meat” is also targeted for pet owners.

I see many websites encouraging that puppies be given biotin. Mother Nature provided milk for young carnivores that were not yet on protein and meat diets. I question the logic of a “one size fits all” approach to feeding biotin to puppies or to adult dogs.

We welcome your comments or personal experiences on this topic. Email the Editor@TheDogPlace.org.

Reference Articles: {1} Biotin ~ {2} Dietary Supplements ~ {3} Heart Attack ~ {4} GMO Soybeans

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