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Pyridoxine (B6) in dog and cat diets

A short guide to the role of Pyridoxine (B6) in dog and cat nutrition.

It is a water-soluble vitamin. It takes part in the production of red blood cells, supports immunity and creates neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine) [1]. In its active form, it most often occurs in the form of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and is a cofactor in many catalytic reactions. The activity of many enzymes involved in the metabolism of proteins, amino acids, organic acids, glucose, sphingolipids and fatty acids depends on it. [2]. Principle: the more protein in the diet, the greater the need for B6 (in cats it is naturally higher) [3]. It is sensitive to high temperature.

What it contains: Muscle meat (especially poultry, pork, beef), offal (liver, kidney), eggs, fish (salmon, cod) and brewer’s yeast [1].

Deficiency: Rare on a raw food diet. It results in microcytic anemia (small, pale blood cells) with high serum iron concentration, neurological disorders (convulsions), kidney damage and calcium oxalate stones (oxalates) in the urinary bladder, which cannot be dissolved by diet. In the absence of a proper diet, it may result in death [2][4].

Excess: Due to the fact that it is a water-soluble vitamin, its excess is efficiently excreted in the urine. Only gigantic, long-term synthetic doses can damage [4] peripheral nerves.

Sources

  1. National Research Council (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats - Chapter 6, Water-Soluble Vitamins. National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10668/nutrient-requirements-of-dogs-and-cats
  2. Chu, V., Fascetti, A. J., Larsen, J. A., Montano, M., & Giulivi, C. (2024). Factors influencing vitamin B6 status in domestic cats: Age, disease, and body condition score. Scientific Reports, 14, 2037. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52367-y
  3. Bai SC, Sampson DA, Morris JG, Rogers QR (1989). Vitamin B-6 requirement of growing kittens. Journal of Nutrition 119(7):1020-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2754508/
  4. Gershoff SN, Faragalla FF, Nelson DA, Andrus SB (1959). Vitamin B6 deficiency and oxalate nephrocalcinosis in the cat. American Journal of Medicine 27:72-80. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13661189/
  5. Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, Roudebush P, Novotny BJ (2010). Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition. https://www.markmorrisinstitute.org/sacn5.html