Dog Vitamins : The B Complex Vitamins

The B Complex Vitamins

- This range of vitamins is necessary for a healthy nervous system.
- These vitamins require each other to work and so are taken in the B-complex unit, with occasional additions of the other single B vitamins.
- Mouth, eyes, skin, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive organs are B deficiency disease sites, as well as behavior, intelligence, and brain and nerve functions.
- Stress depletes the B vitamins, as it does vitamin C, and so does extremely cold weather.

The individual B vitamins known to be vital for a healthy dog are:

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
- Results of this deficiency are brain damage, seizures, and loss of movement control, potentially leading to death.
- Treatment with the vitamin by injection effects full recovery within 24 hours.
- In dogs, B-1 deficiency signs are lack of appetite, vomiting, unsteadiness, and spasticity of the hind legs.
- Dogs also respond to B-1 as a flea repellant.
A tablespoon of brewer's yeast contains 1.25 mg of B-1, but some dogs are allergic to yeast.

Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
- A B-2 deficiency may lead to cataracts in dogs.
- Bloodshot eyes and conjunctivitis are often deficiency symptoms.
- This vitamin is necessary for red blood cell formation, antibody production, food metabolism, and growth.
- Riboflavin prevents birth defects and dandruff.

Vitamin B-3 (Niacin)
- B-3 deficiency may cause black tongue in dogs which is the equivalent to human pellagra.
- Niacin is an immense help in controlling seizures and reducing behavioral problems.
- It reduces cholesterol levels, improves blood circulation, and aids in central nervous system functioning.
- Raw meat and brewers yeast are good niacin sources; cooking destroys many B-complex vitamins.
- Because of the hot flush effect, niacin is usually given only as part of the full B-complex or as niacinamide.

Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)
- B-5 adds to dog's longevity.
- It is important for good immune system and adrenal function, and vitamin and food utilization.
- It is essential in fighting allergies, inflammations, asthma, and infections.
- Vitamin C and B-5 together are highly important for skin diseases and allergies.
- The presence of allergies or infections is considered a B-5 deficiency symptom.
- It also helps dogs to combat stress, reduce depression, and ease anxiety.

Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
- B-6 deficiency symptoms include failure to grow and thrive, epilepsy, anemia, water retention, and kidney stones or kidney damage in dogs.
- Its deficiency is also implicated in artery disease, cancer, arthritis, asthma, and allergies.
- B-6 is essential for the metabolism of protein.
- It is required in the utilization of some minerals for a healthy nervous system, red blood cell production, good brain function, and a strong immune system.

Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid)
- B-9 deficiency results in reproductive problems, birth defects when the mother is deficient, weight loss and anemia, erratic appetite, low energy, seizures, eye discharge, depression and anxiety, as well as decreased immune function in dogs.
- Red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and protein metabolism depend on this vitamin.

Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin)
- Dogs can suffer from B-12 deficiency anemia, but how much they actually require is unknown.
- Supplementing pregnant females with vitamin B-12 results in stronger, larger, and healthier young, with better disease resistance.
- This vitamin prevents nerve damage, aids fertility, and promotes normal growth and development.
- It is necessary for normal digestion and proper food absorption; raw liver is the best animal food source.

Biotin
- Biotin deficiency results in hair loss and in hair and skin disorders in dogs, but the exact requirement for it are unknown in both.
- This B vitamin is essential for thyroid and adrenal health, strong nervous systems and nerve tissue, healthy reproduction, normal sweat glands and bone marrow, and healthy skin.
- It is necessary for utilization of fat, proteins, and carbohydrates in the body.
- Biotin is a cure for dogs that eat their feces; they may be looking for this vitamin, which is produced to some extent in the intestines. Raw egg whites contain an enzyme that depletes biotin. For this reason, eggs fed to dogs should be cooked to deactivate this enzyme.

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