Cobalamin (B12): Why our Pets Need It & Why We Should Supplement

After Lucy was diagnosed with diabetes in August 2015 she developed hind end weakness. It improved significantly with supplemental methyl B12. Encouraged, I gave methyl B12 to my arthritic dog Bella, who quickly regained her ability to roll on the grass. I then tried it with Frank, my other dog, and he also showed positive results.

Today I am going to talk about cobalamin (B12), why our pets need it and why we should supplement. Grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage and let’s get to it!

Cobalamin or B12 is important vitamin that is necessary for mammals to live, it is not something that mammals produce. B12 is synthesized by archaea and bacteria and is then transferred and accumulated in animals. 

B12 plays a role in red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and the central nervous system. B12 is crucial to the regeneration and formation of myelin sheaths. Myelin sheaths are insulation or protection for nerves, this includes nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. B12 also plays a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and hormones that control brain function.

As you can see B12 is vital for our dogs and cats to run like fine-tuned machines, but what are some causes of B12 deficiency? 

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency better known as EPI is the inability to produce enzymes that digest food. Amylase, lipase and protease are produced by the exocrine cells of the pancreas and are the enzymes that break down carbs, fat and protein during digestion. When a dog has EPI, they cannot absorb carbs, fat and protein because they are not broken down in the intestine. Digestive enzymes to help break down food, easily digestive foods like hydrolyzed dog food, low fat and possible B12 supplements can be given to dogs with EPI. 

Breed specific B12 deficiency – certain dog breeds that are predisposed to B12 deficiency are the Giant Schnauzer, Beagle, Border Collie, Shar Pei and Australian Shepard. Cat breeds prone to B12 deficiency are the Burmese, Siamese, Oriental Shorthair and the Himalayan. B12 supplementation is given.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is inflammation of the intestinal tract and causes the inability of the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients. B12 deficiency can be found in dogs and cats with IBD and B12 supplements are given to help.

Diabetic humans can suffer from diabetic neuropathy so why can’t dogs and cats? There are clinical studies in diabetic humans that show when a higher dose of methyl B12 is given daily, nerves are regenerated and neuropathy is reduced. Unfortunately there are no studies of diabetic dogs with diabetic neuropathy and B12 supplementation but I have seen the power of methyl B12 repeatedly. B12 is also given to diabetic cats to help with diabetic neuropathy and it works.

Methyl B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Excess water-soluble vitamins are urinated out unlike fat-soluble vitamins. 

Water-soluble vitamins are:

• Folate
• Thiamine
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
• Pantothenic Acid
• Biotin
• B6
• B12
• C

Fat-soluble vitamins are:

• A
• D
• E
• K

What is the difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble?

Water-soluble vitamins are in the body for a shorter period and any excess is urinated out. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fat cells and can be toxic in excess amounts.

Why have I mentioned toxicity information regarding vitamins? Because I want to share with you that we can safely give our dogs and cats a higher dose of methyl B12 without worry of toxicity or organ damage. 

Suggested dosing for oral B12 is 100 – 200 µ per kg. per day. Since we want to give our dogs a higher dose to help regenerate nerve paths a good dosage is right in the middle of that suggested dosing, 150 µ per kg. per day or 68 µ per lb. per day.

150/2.2 = 68.18 (so we round off to 68 for dosage in lbs.)

Dosage for cats is easy because no math is necessary. 3,000 µ is suggested for cats with diabetic neuropathy.

I hope that this blog has helped you learn why supplementing methyl B12 can be so beneficial for your pet, it helped Bella, Lucy, Frank and countless other cats and dogs!

Until we meet again!

Michelle Matlock

Canine Nutrition Coach

AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator

Founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University