Dogs need Vitamin B Complex to stay healthy. This vitamin which is found in the diet of a dog or in supplements helps keep the dog’s body working correctly. Let’s learn about each vitamin B complex and the RDA (recommended daily allowance).
Fresh is always best over supplements, supplements should be a last resort! Never give supplements to a dog without first consulting with a vet first.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B1 is essential for a dog’s health. This water-soluble vitamin is necessary every day and helps a dog’s body function correctly.
Dogs can’t create this vitamin independently, so they need to get it from their diet. The foods Vitamin B1 include are fruit, fish, milk, vegetables, plants and meat.
Vitamin B1 Recommended Daily Allowance: 0.01mg/Ib.
What does Vitamin B1 do for dogs?
- Digestion: helps a dog’s digestive system by breaking down the carbohydrates to convert into energy.
- DNA Production (Nucleotides) is vital for creating a dog’s DNA. It supports the growth and functioning of muscles whilst maintaining a healthy weight.
- Brain Function: supports a dog’s motor skills and nervous system.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 is a water-soluble vitamin known as Riboflavin that plays a vital role in a dog’s metabolism, growth, and development. Its found in egg yolk, organ meat, and fish.
Vitamin B2 Recommended Daily Allowance: 0.05mg/Ib.
What does Vitamin B2 do for dogs?
- Digestion: helps a dog’s digestive system by breaking down the carbohydrates and fats to convert into energy. It also lines the digestive tract with a healthy protection mucous membrane.
- Cells: Produces red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to other dog body parts.
- Helps Other Vitamins: It helps the absorption of other minerals such as Vitamin b6 and iron.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
The water-soluble vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is required in every part of a dog’s body. Niacin is mainly found in meats and small amounts in vegetables and grains such as corn “maise”.
Vitamin B3 Recommended Daily Allowance: 0.12mg/Ib.
What does Vitamin B3 do for dogs?
- Digestion: Supports the digestive system by breaking down the fatty acids.
- Brain Function: supports a dog’s motor skills and nervous system.
- Helps with hormone production
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5, also known as Pantothenic Acid, has an essential task in the dog’s body and is required for a dog’s body to function. A dog’s deficiency of this vitamin can lead to stomach problems, lethargy, and fur loss.
Vitamin B5 Recommended Daily Allowance: 0.01mg/Ib.
What does Vitamin B5 do for dogs?
- Digestion: Required to assist a dog’s body in making and breaking down proteins and fatty acids.
- Energy: It helps turn the food a dog eats into energy.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as Pyridoxine, which benefits the central nervous system and metabolism. It’s also crucial for cell function.
Vitamin B6 Recommended Daily Allowance: 0.01mg/Ib.
What does Vitamin B6 do for dogs?
- Regulate sodium and potassium levels in the dog’s body
- Healthy cognitive function
- Important for erythrocyte production
- Part of the process is the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and GABA.
GABA explained
Gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA is an amino acid that helps control nerve cells’ activity in the brain and spinal cord.
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Vitamin B7 is a water-soluble vitamin also known as Biotin and can be found in foods such as organ meats, eggs, fish and some vegetables like sweet potatoes.
Vitamin B7 Recommended Daily Allowance: 0.001mg/Ib.
What does Vitamin B7 do for dogs?
- Skin and coat: essential for a dog’s healthy skin, nails and fur
- Biotin also helps with processing fatty acids aswell as carbohydrates
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin required to function correctly in the dog’s body.
Vitamin B6 Recommended Daily Allowance: 0.002mg/Ib.
What does Vitamin B9 do for dogs?
- Cells: Produces red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to other dog body parts.
- Immune system support
- It helps control blood levels of the amino acid
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a type of vitamin that helps a dog’s body produce red blood cells and DNA. This essential nutrient cannot be made by a dog’s body but must come from food or supplements.
Vitamin B12 Recommended Daily Allowance: 0.0025mg/Ib
What does Vitamin B12 do for dogs?
- Aids a healthy digestive system for dogs
- Production of red blood cells that carry vital oxygen around the dog’s body
- Burning of fats and carbohydrates for energy
- It supports the health of a dog’s nervous system
- It assists the brain of a dog in functioning correctly
- Supports the overall immune system of a dog
Should dogs take Vitamin B supplements when on antibiotics?
A dog can benefit from taking vitamin B complex supplements when on antibiotics. Antibiotics can reduce the amount of B-vitamins that the dog absorbs, so taking an extra dose will help make up for this. Additionally, supplements can help to reduce diarrhoea caused by antibiotics. However, it is always best to speak with your veterinarian before supplementing your dog with additional vitamins.
Symptoms of Vitamin B deficiency
Vitamin B strengthens a dog’s immune system. Many health problems can arise when a dog’s immune system fails or struggles.
- Allergies
- Anxious
- Behaviour problems
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Excessive Shedding
- Hair loss
- Lethargic
- Poor dental hygiene
- Stress
- Unhealthy coat
- Weight gain
What is a water-soluble vitamin?
These vitamins dissolve a lot quicker in the dog’s body and are used as they are absorbed. Unlike their counterparts, the fat-soluble vitamins tend to store in the body, so you shouldn’t ever over supplement a dog with any fat-soluble vitamins because they hold in places like the liver that can cause health problems. On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins, if too much, get dispersed in the urine.
Water-soluble Vitamin List
There are nine water-soluble vitamins altogether, which are listed below.
- B1
- B2
- B3
- B5
- B6
- B7
- B9
- B12
- C
Fat-soluble Vitamin List
There are four fat-soluble vitamins altogether, which are listed below.
- A
- D
- E
- K
Do dogs need minerals?
Yes, dogs need minerals in their diet, both macro and micro minerals. These are also required to work in conjunction with other vitamins and enzymes within the dog’s body. Without these, a dog’s body will become highly unhealthy and will not be able to function.
Which vitamins and minerals are essential for bone health in dogs?
There are five main vitamins and minerals a dog needs in their diet to maintain, grow and repair bones and joints—Vitamin C, D, K and minerals calcium and phosphorus.
The three best foods for dogs to eat to get these nutrients are broccoli, spinach and peanuts. All of which are safe for dogs to eat.
Fats
Another vital nutrient is fat. Dogs need good fats in their diet to develop better brains, exhibit better behaviour, and healthy eyes, heart and muscle tissue.
Conclusion
The main task for the set of vitamin B complex is that it helps the body turn carbohydrates into glucose for energy: cell repair and production and hormones assistant. As you can see, these vitamins are essential to everyday life.
