Active Ingredient Research
Vitamin A/ Retinol/ Retinoid
The most important supplement for pet skin & gland function.
Research Overview
Vitamin A (retinol) is THE MOST IMPORTANT supplement for the Skin and Glands. Vitamin A has an amazing health promoting effect on the Hair, Skin, Glands, and Nails. Vitamin A makes the skin and glands more normal; meaning if the skin and glands are too slow the Vitamin A will increase their function and if the skin and glands are too fast the Vitamin A will slow them down.
In dogs, retinol therapy may be used to treat skin conditions such as dry skin, dermatitis, and hair loss. It can also help improve the condition of the skin and coat, and may aid in wound healing.
Dog Skin Disorders Improved with Vitamin A:
Doodle Dandruff
Sebaceous Adenitis
Old Dog Warts
Schnauzer Bumps
Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome
Ichthyosis
Seborrhea
Vitamin A Responsive Dermatitis
Cocker Spaniel Seborrhea
Ear Margin Dermatosis
Sebaceous Gland Adenoma
Acne
Dose Recommendations:
Typically, a dosage of 2,000 to 4,000 IU of vitamin A per day is recommended for a dog weighing 10 pounds with sebaceous adenitis or seborrhea. It is important to follow the recommended dosage guidelines and to consult with a veterinarian before administering retinol therapy to your dog. The toxic dose of vitamin A in dogs is generally considered to be around 4,000 to 8,000 IU per kilogram of body weight per day
General Research References
Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology - 9781416000280
https://www.elsevier.com/books/muller-and-kirks-small-animal-dermatology/miller/978-1-4160-0028-0
Small Animal Dermatology - 9780323376518
https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/small-animal-dermatology-9780323376518.html
PubMed Research Summary
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=vitamin+a+treatment&filter=pubt.review
Vitamin A in Skin and Hair: An Update
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35889909/
Pet Wellness and Vitamin A: A Narrative Overview
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38612239/
Oral vitamin A as an adjunct treatment for canine sebaceous adenitis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00944.x
Vitamin A, infection, and immune function
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11375434/
Role of Vitamin A in the Immune System
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6162863/
Vitamin A and immune regulation: Role of retinoic acid in gut-associated dendritic cell education, immune protection, and tolerance
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22120429/
Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21868478/
Vitamin A for treating measles in children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11869601/
Vitamin A supplementation and child mortality: A meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8426449/
Vitamin A, immunity, and infection
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7811869/
Epidemiology of vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia in at-risk populations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22326691/
The effect of vitamin A on epithelial integrity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10466169/
Illuminating the Role of Vitamin A in Skin Innate Immunity and the Skin Microbiome: A Narrative Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33494277/
Vitamin A and Wound Healing
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31697447/
Topical Retinoids in Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30674002/
Topical Retinoids: Therapeutic Mechanisms in the Treatment of Photodamaged Skin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26969582/
The role of topical retinoids in the treatment of photoaging
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15907143/
A review of acitretin for the treatment of psoriasis
General References
Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology - 9781416000280
https://www.elsevier.com/books/muller-and-kirks-small-animal-dermatology/miller/978-1-4160-0028-0
Small Animal Dermatology - 9780323376518
https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/small-animal-dermatology-9780323376518.html
PubMed Research Summary
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=vitamin+a+treatment&filter=pubt.review
Vitamin A in Skin and Hair: An Update
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35889909/
Pet Wellness and Vitamin A: A Narrative Overview
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38612239/
Oral vitamin A as an adjunct treatment for canine sebaceous adenitis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00944.x
Vitamin A, infection, and immune function
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11375434/
Role of Vitamin A in the Immune System
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6162863/
Vitamin A and immune regulation: Role of retinoic acid in gut-associated dendritic cell education, immune protection, and tolerance
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22120429/
Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21868478/
Vitamin A for treating measles in children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11869601/
Vitamin A supplementation and child mortality: A meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8426449/
Vitamin A, immunity, and infection
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7811869/
Epidemiology of vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia in at-risk populations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22326691/
The effect of vitamin A on epithelial integrity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10466169/
Illuminating the Role of Vitamin A in Skin Innate Immunity and the Skin Microbiome: A Narrative Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33494277/
Vitamin A and Wound Healing
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31697447/
Topical Retinoids in Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30674002/
Topical Retinoids: Therapeutic Mechanisms in the Treatment of Photodamaged Skin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26969582/
The role of topical retinoids in the treatment of photoaging
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15907143/
A review of acitretin for the treatment of psoriasis
General Research References
Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology - 9781416000280
https://www.elsevier.com/books/muller-and-kirks-small-animal-dermatology/miller/978-1-4160-0028-0
Small Animal Dermatology - 9780323376518
https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/small-animal-dermatology-9780323376518.html
PubMed Research Summary
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=vitamin+a+treatment&filter=pubt.review
Vitamin A in Skin and Hair: An Update
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35889909/
Pet Wellness and Vitamin A: A Narrative Overview
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38612239/
Oral vitamin A as an adjunct treatment for canine sebaceous adenitis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00944.x
Vitamin A, infection, and immune function
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11375434/
Role of Vitamin A in the Immune System
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6162863/
Vitamin A and immune regulation: Role of retinoic acid in gut-associated dendritic cell education, immune protection, and tolerance
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22120429/
Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21868478/
Vitamin A for treating measles in children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11869601/
Vitamin A supplementation and child mortality: A meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8426449/
Vitamin A, immunity, and infection
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7811869/
Epidemiology of vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia in at-risk populations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22326691/
The effect of vitamin A on epithelial integrity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10466169/
Illuminating the Role of Vitamin A in Skin Innate Immunity and the Skin Microbiome: A Narrative Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33494277/
Vitamin A and Wound Healing
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31697447/
Topical Retinoids in Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30674002/
Topical Retinoids: Therapeutic Mechanisms in the Treatment of Photodamaged Skin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26969582/
The role of topical retinoids in the treatment of photoaging
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15907143/
A review of acitretin for the treatment of psoriasis
Skin Health Benefits
Vitamin A helps to keep the skin healthy and may be used to treat skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
References
Keratinization Defects, Seborrhea and Dandruff
Canine ichthyosis and related disorders of cornification in small animals - PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3529142/
Oral vitamin A as an adjunct treatment for canine sebaceous adenitis
Doses varied from 380 to 2667 IU/kg/day, with a mean of 1037 IU/kg/day.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21599767/
Applied dermatology: sebaceous adenitis in dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23532758/
Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Canine Dermatological Disorders - PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7355824/
PubMed Retinol Pet Skin Treatment Summary
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=vitamin+A+or+retinol+sebaceous+adenitis&filter=pubt.review
Diet and skin disease in dogs and cats. Watson TDG. Journal of Nutrition. 1998. Reviews dietary factors in canine/feline coat and skin health; notes supraphysiologic vitamin A use in vitamin A-responsive dermatosis and other keratinization/seborrheic conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9868266/
Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis in the dog. Ihrke PJ, Goldschmidt MH. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1983;182:687-690. Classic report of dogs with seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions responding to oral vitamin A.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6221006/
Synthetic retinoids in veterinary dermatology. Power HT. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 1990. Review of synthetic vitamin A analogs, epithelial differentiation, and potential dermatologic use in animals.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2251740/
References
Keratinization Defects, Seborrhea and Dandruff
Canine ichthyosis and related disorders of cornification in small animals - PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3529142/
Oral vitamin A as an adjunct treatment for canine sebaceous adenitis
Doses varied from 380 to 2667 IU/kg/day, with a mean of 1037 IU/kg/day.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21599767/
Applied dermatology: sebaceous adenitis in dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23532758/
Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Canine Dermatological Disorders - PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7355824/
PubMed Retinol Pet Skin Treatment Summary
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=vitamin+A+or+retinol+sebaceous+adenitis&filter=pubt.review
Diet and skin disease in dogs and cats. Watson TDG. Journal of Nutrition. 1998. Reviews dietary factors in canine/feline coat and skin health; notes supraphysiologic vitamin A use in vitamin A-responsive dermatosis and other keratinization/seborrheic conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9868266/
Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis in the dog. Ihrke PJ, Goldschmidt MH. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1983;182:687-690. Classic report of dogs with seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions responding to oral vitamin A.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6221006/
Synthetic retinoids in veterinary dermatology. Power HT. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 1990. Review of synthetic vitamin A analogs, epithelial differentiation, and potential dermatologic use in animals.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2251740/
Immune Support Benefits
Vitamin A supports the immune system by helping develop and maintain the cells that fight off infections.
References
Vitamin A: The Key to A Tolerant Immune System? | Clinical Education
https://www.clinicaleducation.org/resources/reviews/vitamin-a-the-key-to-a-tolerant-immune-system/
The Role of Vitamin A in Your Immune System - In and Out Express Care
https://inandoutexpresscare.com/the-role-of-vitamin-a-in-your-immune-system/
Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation on Immune Responses and Correlation with Clinical Outcomes
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/CMR.18.3.446-464.2005
References
Vitamin A: The Key to A Tolerant Immune System? | Clinical Education
https://www.clinicaleducation.org/resources/reviews/vitamin-a-the-key-to-a-tolerant-immune-system/
The Role of Vitamin A in Your Immune System - In and Out Express Care
https://inandoutexpresscare.com/the-role-of-vitamin-a-in-your-immune-system/
Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation on Immune Responses and Correlation with Clinical Outcomes
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/CMR.18.3.446-464.2005
Infection Prevention Benefits
References
Illuminating the Role of Vitamin A in Skin Innate Immunity and the Skin Microbiome: A Narrative Review
Review of the role of vitamin A and its derivatives on innate immune regulators through mechanisms that promote skin immunity and sustain the skin microbiome.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33494277/
Topical vitamin A treatment of recalcitrant common warts - PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3274422/
Vitamin A at the interface of host–commensal–pathogen interactions - PMC
Vitamin A is central to immune homeostasis in the gut, coordinating both innate and adaptive immunity. VitaminA stimulates the migration of immune cells including dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells to the intestine and helps inform their function. Vitamin A directly regulates proliferation and differentiation in the intestinal epithelium, which is crucial to the maintenance of the gut barrier.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6553882/
References
Illuminating the Role of Vitamin A in Skin Innate Immunity and the Skin Microbiome: A Narrative Review
Review of the role of vitamin A and its derivatives on innate immune regulators through mechanisms that promote skin immunity and sustain the skin microbiome.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33494277/
Topical vitamin A treatment of recalcitrant common warts - PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3274422/
Vitamin A at the interface of host–commensal–pathogen interactions - PMC
Vitamin A is central to immune homeostasis in the gut, coordinating both innate and adaptive immunity. VitaminA stimulates the migration of immune cells including dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells to the intestine and helps inform their function. Vitamin A directly regulates proliferation and differentiation in the intestinal epithelium, which is crucial to the maintenance of the gut barrier.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6553882/
Cancer Prevention Benefits
Some studies suggest that vitamin A may help prevent certain types of cancer.
References
The use of nutraceuticals in cancer therapy
Other nutraceuticals of interest in patients with cancer include antioxidant vitamins, trace minerals, glutamine, protease inhibitors, garlic, tea polyphenols, vitamin A, and shark cartilage.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15032131/
Vitamins A, B, C, and D: A Short Review for the Dermatologist
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33245705/
References
The use of nutraceuticals in cancer therapy
Other nutraceuticals of interest in patients with cancer include antioxidant vitamins, trace minerals, glutamine, protease inhibitors, garlic, tea polyphenols, vitamin A, and shark cartilage.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15032131/
Vitamins A, B, C, and D: A Short Review for the Dermatologist
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33245705/