Can B12 hurt a dog? A Complete Guide

Vitamin B12 in your dog’s food

Supplying your precious pooch with nutrient-rich food is always the aim. If your dog is deficient in Vitamin B12, they may be lethargic, losing weight, and showing signs of the inability to digest their food. This typically happens if, for some reason, the liver, kidneys, pancreas, or intestines cannot use the nutrient properly.

If you think your pet is unwell and possibly lacking Vitamin B12, contact the veterinarian for advice and have your pet checked. Your vet may prescribe a Vitamin B12 supplement. Your dog will be monitored to ensure there is not an overdose of B12 in the system at any time.

Can I Give My Dog B12 Vitamins?

Yes, you can give your dog vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 for dogs, also known as cobalamin, cyanocobalamin, and methylcobalamin, can be safely administered to your dog as directed by your veterinarian. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is an essential nutrient for dogs.

Cobalamin is vital for many biological reactions in the body involving cell growth, protein synthesis, digestion and nutrient metabolism, production of red blood cells, and proper functioning of the brain and nervous system.

Unlike some other vitamins, cobalamin is not synthesized in the body. Therefore, it needs to be obtained through high-quality dog food and dietary supplements.

It is important to consult with your veterinarian before supplementing your dog, as some over-the-counter supplements may not be appropriate and can contain dangerous ingredients, such as xylitol which is poisonous for dogs.

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  • Is Vitamin B12 Safe for Dogs?

    Yes, vitamin B12 for dogs is safe.

    Vitamin B12 is non-toxic for dogs, and supplements come in different forms, such as cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin. These different forms are safe as well.

    While it’s important to give vitamin supplements as directed by your veterinarian and as directed on the label, giving your dog higher amounts of Vitamin B12 is safe. As it is a water-soluble vitamin, excess Vitamin B12 is simply eliminated via the urine.

    Dr. Lisa Steinberg says, “Vitamin B12 is very important for many bodily functions in dogs, and is sometimes overlooked in veterinary medicine. As a veterinarian, I most frequently see a cobalamin deficiency with decreased intestinal absorption from inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal cancer, and pancreatic disease. As B12 is water soluble and generally safe, it is often given to geriatric animals who are losing weight and just doing poorly in general, and it definitely helps increase energy and improve quality of life in dogs.”

    Can B12 deficiency cause gastrointestinal problems in your dog?

    Vitamin B12 is the gifted child of the B-vitamin family. While all dog vitamins are important and have a role to play in the body, getting enough vitamin B12 for dogs makes all the difference between sickness and good health.

    Vitamin B12, along with other B vitamins, is whats known as a water-soluble vitamin. A feature of vitamin B12 is that at its heart is a type of cobalt molecule, called cobalamin. This is key to many of the jobs that vitamin B12 for dogs does. What makes vitamin B12 so important is that its needed for many basic body systems to work, from digestion right through to making DNA.

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