Sitting under the warmth of the sun oftentimes just feels great. I’m sure you’ve heard that we get our vitamin D from doing this as well. However, do you know exactly how the process works?
When it comes to furred mammals, they don’t get their vitamin D the same way we do, but you’ll find out how it’s done shortly! First I’ll explain the importance of vitamin D, then mention how it’s formed for us humans, and then finally, how it relates to our furry friends.
What’s the importance of vitamin D3?
Vitamin D3 isn’t really a vitamin. It’s actually more like a hormone. The importance of it is that it helps regulate your mineral metabolism and subsequently maintains the calcium balance in your bones. It is thought that this vitamin plays a role in affecting the expression of over 200 genes.
How do humans create vitamin D3?
The oil that naturally comes from our skin is a type of cholesterol. Whenever we stand under direct sunlight, the ultraviolet rays react with this oil. The ultraviolet radiation breaks some chemical bonds in the oil so that it forms a different molecule. This molecule is known as the infamous Vitamin D3 which is why it’s also called the “sunshine vitamin.”
Once the cholesterol is converted to vitamin D3, it is then absorbed back into the skin and enters the blood stream. You need about 10-15 minutes of full sunshine to get enough, but most people aren’t always able to do that, so it’s highly recommended you take a supplement. This is especially important for fair-skinned people who just can’t hang out in the sun too long anyway because they will burn.
How do our furry friends create Vitamin D3 in their bodies?
In dogs and cats, Vitamin D performs the dual role of a vitamin as also a hormone. A dog’s body is not capable of producing calcium without the presence of Vitamin D. This vitamin also acts as a hormone when the dog’s system manufactures it with the help of direct sunlight.
Vitamin D is present in the fatty tissues of the body and the liver of a dog. It helps in regulating the quantities of calcium and phosphorus – both minerals develop and strengthen bones in a dog’s body. Vitamin D obtained from the sun is important not only in forming bones but also for effective control of muscles and nerves.
A study by the Pet Education says that retention of calcium in the dog’s body is stimulated by the presence of Vitamin D, which in turn stimulates preservation of calcium in the kidneys. Although the sun’s rays help in generating this vital nutrient, a dog’s diet acts as the main source of this vitamin.
How do the sun’s rays benefit dogs and cats?
In a human body, the sun’s rays split or break down the oils in the skin that produce Vitamin D. When exposed to direct sunlight, the Ultra Violet Rays (UV rays) react with the oil in our skin by breaking the chemical bonds, thereby generating Vitamin D3. Through the process of dermal absorption, this Vitamin is channeled back into body and blood stream. The duration of this process is not much, taking up merely fifteen to twenty minutes.
Dogs process the same chemical in their skin, and thus the process is the same. The difference lies in the fact that the furry coat of dogs and cats does not allow the efficient absorption of the vitamin thus generated. As a result, Vitamin D3 is left on their fur. Dogs and Cats take in this left-over vitamin orally when they spruce themselves by licking. Hence the licking action is not just restricted to grooming but also makes up for the inefficient absorption of Vitamin D.
Apart from these advantages sun’s rays also help improve their ability to sleep. By regulating the body temperature, sun’s rays help them to sleep well, which is essential for the well-being of any living being, be it humans or animals.
Dogs and cats secrete the same oily cholesterol from their skin, just like us. When they lay in the sun, that oil is, again, converted to Vitamin D3. The difference, however, is that because they have so much hair, the vitamin ends up on their fur and doesn’t get absorbed through their skin.
When they lick their body, to groom or clean themselves, they ingest the vitamin D orally. So maybe it’s a good thing that cats have OCD with cleaning themselves. Oh and by the way, I mention cats and dogs, but this info applies to ALL furry mammals and also to birds.
Does your dog or cat have a favorite spot?
All that these adorable and faithful creatures requires is a good and caring master. But when it comes to choosing a favorite sunny spot, these animals do excel in picking the best spots. They nominate a small corner or niche as their own feel-good area. Be it a window pane or a door carpet, they will never let go of a single ray. They make full use of the sunny spot that they have claimed as their own.
Hence, next time if you see your dog or cat lazing around in the sun, do not disturb. It is taking good care of itself by proactively producing Vitamin D3, thereby ensuring its own wellbeing.
Sources:
https://www.mypetneedsthat.com/why-dogs-like-to-lay-in-sun/
https://www.mypetneedsthat.com/why-dogs-like-to-lay-in-sun/
