Vitamin B for Dogs: How It Benefits Your Pet’s Well-Being
Vitamin B for dogs has a variety of functions in their bodies, ranging from providing energy to keeping their teeth healthy — and that’s just the beginning. The benefits of this essential vitamin for your pup are pretty much endless.
There has been a lot of discussion about vitamin B for dogs lately. Does your dog’s body need it? If so, how much should you give them? What happens if your dog does not get enough?
There are some questions to consider, but the answer to these questions is all about doing your research. The more you know about how the Vitamin B complex for dogs benefits your pet’s well-being, the easier it will be for you to determine just what they need.
In this article, we will explore the topic of vitamin B for dogs and the benefits they bring. We will go through how these vitamins work, how to tell if your dog is deficient, and what to do if your dog requires more.
Table of Contents
- What Is Vitamin B?
- Which Foods Are Rich in Vitamin B?
- What Is Vitamin B for Dogs Good For?
- How Much Is the Daily Recommended Intake?
- Vitamin B Deficiency in Dogs
- Signs of B-Complex Vitamin Overdose in Dogs
- B-Complex Vitamin Supplements for Dogs
- The Takeaway
- Nutrition Strength Vitamin B for Dogs
What Is Vitamin B?
Vitamin B is a group of water-soluble chemicals found in food consumed by both people and dogs. It has many functions, such as promoting healthy metabolism and keeping cells in check. Vitamin B acts as a coenzyme, supporting metabolic actions that turn carbohydrates into glucose, which provides power to the dog.
And, because Vitamin B is water-soluble, it flushes through your dog’s digestive tract. If you give your dog fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, or K, any excess will be retained in fat cells, which can lead to toxicity in rare situations.
Each vitamin in the B-complex group has a particular purpose in the body of a dog. They have an impact on practically all of the body’s systems. Here is what they do:
| Thiamine (Vitamin B1) | Required for carbohydrate digestion; Enhances the body’s immunological response; Essential for brain function. |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | Supports eye health and plays a function in red blood cell synthesis; Works closely with the muscular system to preserve strength. |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | It aids in fatty acid digestion and metabolism; It promotes brain function; It is a catalyst for hormone production; It aids in the synthesis of corticotropin-releasing hormones. |
| Folic acid (Vitamin B9) | Used in the creation of red blood cells; Required for DNA synthesis; Critical for the development of healthy embryos throughout pregnancy. |
| Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) | It’s a wonderful supplement choice for both active and pregnant dogs; It’s necessary for the body to manufacture proteins and fatty acids; It’s a terrific supplement option for both active and pregnant dogs. |
| Biotin (Vitamin B7) | Adding biotin to your dog’s food will help them keep healthy skin, a lustrous coat, and strong nails; Also, extra biotin may benefit your dog’s skin health while she’s pregnant or breastfeeding. |
| Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) | Regulates sodium and potassium levels in the body; Promotes healthy cognitive function; Important for erythrocyte production. |
| Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) | Impacts nerve function; Required for the development of myelin, which covers the nerves; Cobalamin works in tandem with folic acid for dogs to synthesize nucleic acids. |
When there is enough Vitamin C in the diet, the B-complex vitamins work better, and both are important for protein and fat absorption. Biotin for dogs is best absorbed with the help of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).
Individual B vitamins are available for purchase. For example, it is possible to buy only vitamins B1, B6, or B12, if they are needed. Many people use these vitamins for their dogs without giving the whole complex.
There are many of them in B vitamin-rich foods, and no food has been identified that distinguishes them. So, if you decide to provide extra B6, make sure to do so in combination with the complex powder. The vitamin component should not be removed for more than one month without being re-evaluated.
Check out our Nutrition Strength Vitamin B for Dogs here.
Which Foods Are Rich in Vitamin B?
Even while kibble is the best source of B-complex vitamins for dogs, it is not ideal. B-complex vitamins are light-sensitive and can quickly denature. As a result, you should store your pet’s food in its original container, away from light and heat, to ensure that the vitamin’s efficacy is maximized.
So, where else can dogs get the B-complex vitamins if their food is not fitting the bill? Here are some B-complex vitamin-rich human meals that are healthy for dogs:
- Organ meats (liver, kidneys, etc.);
- Wild venison steaks (elk, deer, etc.);
- Grass-fed meat;
- Salmon;
- Tuna;
- Haddock;
- Sardines;
- Other wild-caught fish (the smaller, the better);
- Pastured eggs;
- Grass-fed chicken;
- Pastured turkey;
- Lamb; (never processed in any way).
Feed the following items to your raw-fed dog to ensure that they get enough of each B vitamin:
| Vitamin B1 (thiamine) foods | Liver |
| Vitamin B2 foods | Liver; grass-fed beef; mackerel; eggs |
| Vitamin B3 foods | Liver; chicken; beef; salmon; sardines |
| Vitamin B5 foods | Salmon; beef; raw milk; eggs |
| Vitamin B6 foods | Chicken; turkey; fish; grass-fed beef |
| Vitamin B7 foods | Meat; eggs; liver; salmon |
| Vitamin B9 foods | Eggs |
| Vitamin B12 foods | Fish; organ meats; poultry; meat; eggs; raw milk |
When offering these things to your dog, keep in mind that the chicken and eggs should come from pastured hens. Also, the smaller the fish you feed them, the better because larger fish contain more mercury and might harm your pet.
However, some diets containing these products still fall short of your dog’s daily vitamin B needs if you do not feed them enough. Vitamin B deficiency is also common in dogs that eat a vegetarian diet.
That is why the complex powder must be included in your dog’s diet. Vitamin B will keep your dog feeling active and cheerful every day, whether he or she is young, old, little, huge, or an athlete.
What Is Vitamin B for Dogs Good For?
Now that we’ve discussed what your dog would look like if they didn’t have vitamin B in their body, let’s talk about what they would look like if they had enough vitamin B.
A sufficient quantity of vitamin B in your dog’s body provides various benefits that will keep your dog strong, healthy, and happy. Here are the different benefits of Vitamin B:
- Help keep away fleas and ticks;
- Improves metabolism and energy;
- Forms blood cells and nerves;
- Gives healthy skin and hair;
- Prevents heart disease and cancer;
- Helps the brain and the nervous system;
- Strengthens the immune system.
Vitamin B complex with vitamin B1 for dogs is the key to keeping the fleas and ticks away! Use a vitamin B complex derived from plants, and tailor the dose to your dog’s weight.
Your dog will always have a healthy supply of blood cells, which will signal one another to generate healthy muscle tissue and protein, thanks to Vitamin B’s role in cellular metabolism and regeneration, as well as energy production.
Vitamin B also strengthens neurotransmitter signaling, resulting in improved cognitive function and more vitality in your pet. And, thanks to all of the wonderful things Vitamin B helps to promote on the inside, your dog’s hair will be shinier and healthier, and their skin will be less itchy and dry.
How Much Is the Daily Recommended Intake?
The daily B-complex vitamin consumption for a healthy 30-pound dog is listed below. Keep in mind that every dog is different, and some may need more or fewer vitamins depending on their activity level and any conditions they may have. Consult your veterinarian for daily needs tailored to your dog’s size and breed.
Daily recommended B complex dosage for dogs which weight is around is as follows:
| Thiamine | 0.56 mg / 1,000 calories |
| Riboflavin | 1.3 mg / 1,000 calories |
| Niacin | 4 mg / 1,000 calories |
| Folic acid | 68 micrograms / 1,000 calories |
| Pantothenic acid | 4 mg / 1,000 calories |
| Biotin | 7 mg / 1,000 calories |
| Pyridoxine | 0.4 mg / 1,000 calories |
| Cobalamin | 9 micrograms / 1,000 calories |
Vitamin B Deficiency in Dogs
The body rapidly excretes B vitamins. Thus any deficit will show up immediately. Alterations in the dog’s neurological condition stand out among the signs of vitamin B insufficiency in dogs.
Vitamin B12, in particular, is so paramount for dogs that any lack can cause neurological disorders and psychological and hematological alterations.
Depending on whatever vitamin the dog is weak in, the symptoms of B-complex vitamin insufficiency differ. Some of these symptoms are quite distinct and simple to identify (like the black tongue, which is a classic sign of a niacin deficiency).
Other symptoms of B-complex vitamin deficiencies are not as distinct and make it more difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. The symptoms of B-complex deficiency are listed below by vitamin.
| Signs of a thiamine deficiency | Absent reflexes; Anorexia; Muscle weakness |
| Signs of a riboflavin deficiency | Stunted growth; Decrease in strength; Poor eyesight; Weakness of the back legs; Heart problems |
| Signs of a niacin deficiency | Darkening of the tongue; Swelling of the mouth; Anorexia; Blood in the stools; Bad breath |
| Signs of a folic acid deficiency | Low hemoglobin; Fatigue |
| Signs of a pantothenic acid deficiency | Bald patches; Change in fur color; Loose stool; Stomach upset |
| Signs of a deficiency of biotin for dogs | Dull coat; Skin sores; Muscle weakness or paralysis |
| Signs of a pyridoxine deficiency | Low hemoglobin; Skin sores; Tooth decay; Kidney stones |
| Signs of a cobalamin deficiency | Anorexia; Lethargy; Weight loss; Foul-smelling diarrhea |
Vitamin B insufficiency can be caused by several circumstances, including:
- Intense training and exercise;
- Life changes or events that may create stress, such as traveling, relocating, etc.;
- Low-quality meats and organs;
- Chronic stress;
- Feeding and overall poor-quality diet;
- Poor absorption of nutrients owing to impaired gut health;
- Age-impaired digestion;
- Malnutrition.
Signs of B-Complex Vitamin Overdose in Dogs
Unlike vitamins A and D, which are fat-soluble and stay in the system for long periods, B-complex vitamins are water-soluble and freely eliminated from a canine’s body.
Overdoes of B-complex vitamins are almost unheard of due to their high-water solubility, which means your dog will pee out anything their body cannot utilize.
Dogs cannot respond to extremely high doses of niacin, which can cause liver damage and skin blisters if taken in sufficient quantities. Pyridoxine is the only other B-complex vitamin that dogs can overdose on.
B-Complex Vitamin Supplements for Dogs
Sometimes foods are not enough to satisfy a dog’s vitamin needs, so pet parents turn to supplements to give their dogs an extra boost. But what does vitamin B supplement for dogs?
A healthier, shinier coat is one of the most noticeable side effects of vitamin B dogs supplement. When dogs with skin problems take B-complex vitamins, they may notice smoother skin, reduced irritation, and less inflammation. B-complex vitamins, particularly more vitamin B6, provide some dogs with a boost in energy.
If you are looking for a B-complex vitamin supplement for your dog, be sure it is produced specifically for dogs. These formulas are tailored to the nutritional needs of dogs, and some even come in a variety of pleasant tastes to make giving easier.
B-complex vitamins for dogs come in powders and liquids that may be incorporated into food, as well as capsules that can be disguised in treats. B-complex vitamins, as well as other vitamins and minerals your dog need, such as vitamin D and zinc, are commonly found in canine multivitamins.
The Takeaway
As you can see, B-complex vitamins have a wide range of effects on internal systems, from improving vision to aiding DNA synthesis. Dogs can swiftly deteriorate if they don’t consume enough B-complex vitamins, but because these vitamins are light-sensitive, getting them into your dog might be challenging. For this reason, some pet parents choose supplements.
Foods rich in B-complex vitamins provide a large, varied helping of nutrients that your dog can use. These nutrients aid in the development and maintenance of healthy cells in your dog.
They also have a good impact on learning and the neurological system. All of these factors help to maintain a healthy immune system. Therefore, you should provide foods rich in B-complex vitamins to any dog.
Some dog owners opt to make B-complex vitamin supplements in their kitchens. As long as the recipe is well-balanced, these homemade supplements are a great option for giving dogs supplemental B-complex vitamins.
But do make sure you check with your vet first before using these recipes. If you decide to make your own, be sure to follow the directions for proper dosages and safety measures.
Do not take unbalanced supplements as they can lead to severe poisoning. You must check with your veterinarian first before administering these supplements.
Nutrition Strength Vitamin B for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Vitamin B for Dogs here.
Nutrition Strength’s Vitamin B for Dogs chewable supplement are tasty chewable tablets, made with the complete range of B vitamins, which take a vital part in critical cellular processes, acting as coenzymes in a great number of catabolic and anabolic enzymatic reactions. Crucially, B vitamins lend support for healthy brain function, including energy generation, synthesis and repair of DNA and RNA, in addition to taking part in the synthesis of various neurochemicals and signaling molecules.
A great way to support your dog’s well-being, our premium B complex for dogs supplement could benefit your four-legged friends by helping to:
- Keep blood cells healthy.
- Sustain cellular energy production.
- Maintain healthy brain function.
- Support the nervous system.
- Promote healthy metabolism.
Our specially-made vitamin B complex for dogs is designed to help ensure that your four-legged best friend gets adequate levels of the eight B-vitamins, which are essential for optimal physiological and neurological functioning. Moreover, studies have shown that a great number of our dogs may suffer from deficiencies or inadequate levels of one or more members of this important group of micronutrients.
Taken together, the research suggests that, in the absence of optimal diet, supplementation of the entire group of B vitamins, rather than administering only one, two or three compounds, might be beneficial for preserving brain health, as long as it is done in sufficient doses. The B group of vitamins includes thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B6, biotin (B7), folate (B9) and vitamin B12.
Image source: Wikimedia / Jim Winstead.
