What Is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is an essential vitamin for dogs. In nutrition circles, the word “essential” means that a dog’s body cannot make vitamin B12 on its own; it has to be supplied in sufficient amounts in the diet.
Good natural sources of vitamin B12 include:
Vitamin B12 supplements are also routinely added to nutritionally complete and balanced dog foods.
Benefits of Vitamin B12 for Dogs
Vitamin B12 plays several roles in a dog’s body. Most importantly, it:
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is needed to produce myelin, the fatty layer that covers nerves, and therefore is essential for nervous system function
As important as vitamin B12 is, do not supplement your dog’s diet with it unless your veterinarian has told you to do so. Adding any vitamin or mineral supplement to your dog’s diet when it’s not needed can lead to nutritional excesses or imbalances.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Dogs
Without enough vitamin B12, many of a dog’s enzymatic and metabolic processes can’t proceed normally, which results in clinical signs like:
Importantly, these signs are also often seen with the very health problems that lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. Why? When a dog has a chronic health problem that disrupts the digestive tract, they frequently vomit, have diarrhea, and lose weight. Simultaneously, they aren’t absorbing vitamin B12 well because of changes to their digestive tract.
Even if the underlying problem is treated appropriately and the digestive tract returns to normal, the vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss may continue—but now because of the vitamin B12 deficiency, not the initial disease process.
Talk to your veterinarian if your dog has symptoms of a potential vitamin B12 deficiency.
How Do I Add Vitamin B12 to My Dog’s Diet?
Giving a vitamin B12 supplement to a healthy dog who is eating a nutritionally complete and balanced dog food is usually not necessary, but it’s also unlikely to be dangerous. Because vitamin B12 is water-soluble, excesses will simply leave the body in urine.
Vitamin B12 supplementation can be an important part of treatment for dogs with any of these conditions:
Veterinarians will routinely run blood tests to check a dog’s vitamin B12 levels after they have diagnosed any of these health problems or if the dog has symptoms that fit with a vitamin B12 deficiency.
If the dog’s levels are low, they will prescribe a supplement and recommend the appropriate dose based on the results of the test and the specifics of the dog’s case.
Best Vitamin B12 Supplements
Vitamin B12 supplements can be given either by injection or as an oral tablet. Your veterinarian will recommend the best product for your dog, but good options include:
Vitamin B12 degrades when it is exposed to light. Always keep vitamin B12 injections for dogs or canine B12 tablets in a light-proof container.
Vitamin B12 Food for Dogs
Dog foods that comply with Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regulations contain more than enough vitamin B12 to meet the needs of healthy dogs and puppies.
High-protein dog foods that contain a lot of meat, organ meat, poultry, fish, egg, or dairy get some of their vitamin B12 from these ingredients.
Good options include:
Pet food manufacturers sometimes add extra vitamin B12 to their diets. Look for it on the ingredient list.
FAQs About Vitamin B12 for Dogs
What foods are high in B12?
Foods that are high in vitamin B12 include organ meats, dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, and seafood. However, a B12 supplement is usually needed if a dog is deficient in this vitamin.
How long does it take for B12 to work in dogs?
Once a dog has begun taking a vitamin B12 supplement, small improvements may be seen in just a few days, but it can take several weeks before the dog fully responds to treatment.
