B12, also called cobalamin, is one of the vitamins that is crucial for your cat’s health. It plays a key role in keeping your cat’s immune, digestive and nervous system functioning optimally.
Cats obtain B12 from their diet. It is naturally found in animal products such as meat, liver, fish and eggs. While most commercial cat foods have sufficient levels for a healthy cat, cats with certain health conditions, especially those that affect the intestinal tract, may not be able to absorb enough of the nutrient from their food, leading to deficiencies.
Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency
Not having enough B12 can cause weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease can interfere with the absorption of B12. B12 is water soluble and only stays in the body for a limited time. In a healthy cat, the tissues retain B12 for an average of 13 days, but in a cat with gastrointestinal disease or other health problems, B12 may stay in the body for only about 5 days. This quick depletion can cause low B12 levels. (Source: Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Cats: The Role of the Gut.) Measuring B12 levels in your cat’s blood can be a good indicator of overall gut health.
Vitamin B12 supplementation
There are two forms of Vitamin B12, methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin. Methylcobalamine is more readily absorbed when given orally as a supplement. Vitamin B12 can also be given as a subcutaneous injection.
Jackson Galaxy B12 for Cats Dietary Supplement
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Jackson Galaxy developed a B12 supplement for cats that contains only methylcobalamine, no fructose, fillers or artificial ingredients. The supplement can help to
- boost immunity
- maintain or improve gastrointestinal health
- maintain kidney health
- keep the nervous system functioning optimally
- keep the pancreas healthy
- increase appetite
It should be given with food.
Allegra likes hers with a with a little bit of a Churru treat. I drizzle the B12 on a small plate, top it with half a tube of Churru, and she laps it all up.
Visit Jacksongalaxy.com for more information.
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