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Niacin (B3) in dog and cat diets

A short guide to the role of Niacin (B3) in dog and cat nutrition.

It is a water-soluble vitamin. Niacin is defined as compounds with the biological activity of nicotinamide. Its main forms are nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. After transformation into NADH and NADPH, it takes part in enzymatic reactions, i.e. cellular respiration and modification of [1] proteins. It affects the proper functioning of the brain, digestive system (metabolism) and the healthy appearance of the skin. Species difference: Dogs can produce some niacin in the liver from the amino acid tryptophan (often accompanied by vitamin B6 and iron). In cats, due to the high activity of the tryptophan-degrading enzyme, this process is practically zero, so they must receive the entire pool of ready-made niacin in their food (their demand is much higher) [2]. In food, it occurs mainly as NADH and NADPH in free form or in compounds with other macromolecules [3]. It is thermally stable.

What it contains: Muscle meat, offal (liver), fish, brewer’s yeast [1].

Deficiency: Very rare in carnivores. In dogs, it has historically caused blacktongue disease (severe inflammation and necrosis of the oral cavity) [3].

Excess: Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, excess from a natural diet does not occur. The body does not accumulate its reserves, and any surpluses are methylated and filtered out by the kidneys on an ongoing basis, and then excreted in the urine [4].

Sources

  1. National Research Council (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, ch. 6. National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10668/nutrient-requirements-of-dogs-and-cats
  2. Morris JG, Rogers QR (1982). Metabolic basis for some of the nutritional peculiarities of the cat. Journal of Small Animal Practice 23:599–613. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1982.tb02520.x
  3. Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, Roudebush P, Novotny BJ (2010). Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition. https://www.markmorrisinstitute.org/sacn5.html
  4. Merck Veterinary Manual (2023). Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-small-animals/nutritional-requirements-of-small-animals