Vitamin B9, Folate or Folic Acid

What does Vitamin B9 do?

Vitamin B9 is called both Folate and Folic Acid. The word “folate” actually means leaf—aptly named because green leafy vegetables are an excellent source of folate. This B vitamin is essential for the developing fetus, growing pets, and adult pets. If the fetus lacks Vitamin B9, its spine and nerves don’t develop normally. Growing and adult pets that lack folate become anorexic, lose weight, and develop diarrhea. They can also become irritable and weak. Some will have heart problems, including palpitations; some may develop cancer.

Why pets may have a Vitamin B9 deficiency

Because bacteria in the small intestines synthesize and absorb folate, your pet needs healthy intestines if it is to have healthy folate levels. Diseases that destroy healthy intestinal bacteria, especially bacteria in the first portion of the intestine—the small intestine—can decrease your pet’s folate levels. Diseases that do this include parvo virus infection and chronic food allergies. Pets with these diseases benefit from probiotics, which contain a high concentration of friendly bacteria to repopulate your pet’s intestines.

Food Sources of Vitamin B9

avocado
black-eyed peas
chicken liver
garbanzo beans
lentils
pinto beans
spinach
turnip greens

Folate and the fetus

To help prevent folate deficiency, supplement your pets—especially pregnant pets—with cooked, ground beans, barley sprouts or with leafy vegetables. .

Tomorrow, the blog will discuss another of the B Vitamins—Cyanocobalamin or Vitamin B12.