Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) for Dogs

Folic acid (also known as vitamin B9) is a vitamin that is crucial for the development and well-being of dogs (and humans!) This water-soluble vitamin is the synthetic version of folate, a naturally occurring vitamin found in foods like seafood and greens. It is super important during pregnancy since it can help prevent birth defects and help with blood cell formation. We will explore the functions of folate, as well as sources of it, how much your dog needs, and the pros and cons of supplementing with folic acid.

Let's look at all the ways folate helps our furbabies to get a better understanding of its importance.

Folate is imperative for proper development in utero and during puppyhood. According to a 1997 study, the rate of dogs born with cleft palate defects in Boston Terriers in a breeding program dropped from almost 17.6% to 4.2% once they started giving folic acid supplements daily during pregnancy.

Since Folate is a coenzyme, it's also essential for enzymatic reactions and numerous bodily processes, like keeping homocysteine levels under control and making proteins!

Highly involved in DNA and RNA synthesis, folate is crucial for synthesizing nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of DNA and, thus, the very foundation of your pup! Furthermore, folic acid is essential for DNA methylation and repairing structural damage to DNA.

Folate even assists in forming your pooches' blood cells, and without enough of it, dogs are at risk of becoming anemic.

The recommended daily intake of folic acid for dogs depends on many factors, including their life stages, size, and diet, so it's a good idea to talk to your vet about how much your pet should be getting. A good rule of thumb is 0.05 to 0.14 mg (50 - 140 micrograms) per lb of body weight. 

There are many natural sources of folate to help supplement your pet's intake. Some yummy foods that contain this vital nutrient include:

• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Bananas
• Seafood
• Liver
• Eggs
• Kale
• Beets

Folate deficiencies can occur alongside a history of GI diseases and malabsorption including proximal small intestine disease. Long-term use of anticonvulsants, certain IBD medications, and diuretics can also put dogs at higher risk for folate deficiencies. Some dogs may be genetically predisposed to folate deficiencies, as well.

It is not uncommon for humans to have a mutation of the MTHFR gene, which makes the body unable to synthesize folate to methylfolate (the active form). In fact, I have this mutation myself! This glitch in our DNA can cause an array of issues like brain fog, depression, and even dementia if we don't supplement with methylfolate. 

Research on the canine genome is still out, but it appears that genetic mutations may affect their folate levels, as well. The findings from a study by Kagoshima University, which looked at the relationship between certain diseases and high homocysteine levels (a common symptom of folate deficiency), found evidence of a similar genetic component in dogs that may lead to folate deficiency.

• High blood homocysteine levels (which are associated with heart problems, poor kidney function, cognitive decline, and arthritis)
• Changes in activity level or personality
• Low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
• Problems with fetal development
• Changes in eating habits
• Changes in breathing
• Low platelet counts
• Slow blood clotting
• Swollen tongue
• Unhealthy coat
• Upset stomach
• Tiring easily 
• Malnutrition
• Weight loss

Treatment of Folic Acid deficiency 

Folate deficiency is treated with folic acid supplements or the active form, methyl folate.  However, depending on the root cause of the deficiency, other treatments may be necessary to treat the underlying cause. Likewise, if a medication is contributing to the deficiency (as anticonvulsants and IBD meds can), the vet may want to reevaluate their treatment plan and find alternative medications.

 Most vets order blood tests to check folate levels to get an idea of their baseline levels before beginning treatment. Folic acid may be given orally or injected to help supplement the dog's intake, and the vet may want updated serum levels periodically to ensure the supplements are working.

Folic Acid is one of the safest supplements to give dogs. Since it's water-soluble, overdose is highly unlikely since the kidneys will filter the excess and eliminate it through urination. According to our research, there are no reports of folic acid poisoning in dogs. Reports of dogs ingesting large doses of folic acid typically result in the dog having diarrhea, which resolves on its own within 4 - 8 hours.

• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Poor appetite

Thankfully, folic acid has a very short half-life and is typically eliminated from a dog's system within 24 hours unless they have pre-existing conditions that can cause the supplements not to be eliminated as efficiently or as effectively (like kidney disease.)

So, should you supplement your dog's diet with folic acid?

Folic acid is super important for breeding dogs and puppies, especially since it prevents certain birth defects and encourages proper growth and development. Likewise, supplementation may be a good idea for senior dogs since folic acid is involved with cellular repair, which becomes increasingly important as our furbabies age. Folic acid is also shown to support cardiovascular, joint, and cognitive health in humans through various metabolic processes, and it's thought to have a similar influence on canines.

If you think your dog might need more folic acid, talk to your vet to make sure your pet doesn't take any medications or have pre-existing illnesses that could be problematic when combined with folic acid.

Most healthy pets who eat a fortified commercial dog food are not at risk of folic acid deficiency. However, pregnant dogs, seniors, and those with underlying conditions such as GI issues or malabsorption may benefit from a folic acid supplement.

If you and your vet decide your pet would be a good candidate for folic acid, you'll be happy to know it's easy to find online and in big box stores. Folic Acid supplements are available in many different forms, including flavored chews, tablets, and in combination with other micronutrients in multivitamin blends. It also comes in an injectable form that vets may administer in a clinical setting.

• Folic Acid is the lab-made version of vitamin B9, also known as folate in its natural form.)  This vitamin has wide-reaching effects on the canine body, from ensuring healthy pregnancies to repairing the very DNA that makes your dog, well, your dog!
  
  
• Folic acid deficiencies can happen due to poor diet, GI disease, and certain medications, and can have some pretty unpleasant side effects. Side effects of severe folate deficiency include tongue swelling, anemia, fatigue, and shortness of breath. 
  
  
• Luckily, there are plenty of foods and nutritional products on the market to help you supplement your pet's intake. 
  
  
• Fish, liver, and eggs are all yummy additions to commercial diets to help up your pet's folate levels. If you'd prefer a more convenient alternative, there are so many multivitamins, chews, and tablets with folic acid in them that make it easy to meet your pet's needs. 
  
  
• Since folic acid has such a short half-life, overdoses are essentially unheard of and is considered to be one of the safest supplements to give pets.  While side effects are rare, they aren't impossible. You may see mild stomach upset or diarrhea if your dog takes too much.
  
  
• Remember to talk to your vet before starting your pet on any new medications and to tell them immediately if your pet shows signs of an adverse reaction.