Pantothenic acid is a component of coenzyme A (CoA), one of the most important molecules in your cat's metabolism. CoA is involved in the breakdown and synthesis of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, making B5 essential for converting food into usable energy. It also plays a role in producing adrenal hormones (which help your cat respond to stress), synthesizing cholesterol and fatty acids, and maintaining healthy skin and coat. Because pantothenic acid is widely distributed in animal tissues, cats eating meat-based diets rarely develop deficiency.
A single cooked egg provides roughly 0.7mg of pantothenic acid — your adult cat needs approximately 0.4–1.0mg per day, about the amount found in a small portion of chicken or salmon. Commercial cat foods comfortably exceed this requirement.
0.0% of daily nutrient intake
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) makes up 0.0% of your cat's total daily nutritional requirements by weight. That's a tiny amount — but it matters.
Poor growth in kittens, rough and unkempt coat, skin lesions, gastrointestinal disturbances, and general lethargy. Severe deficiency can cause fatty liver changes and adrenal insufficiency, though this is very rare with normal diets.
Pantothenic acid is water-soluble and excess is readily excreted in urine. Toxicity from dietary sources is essentially unknown in cats. Even high supplemental doses are well tolerated.
| Life Stage | Size | Min | Max | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | — | 0.4 | 2 | mg | Pantothenic acid is widely available in meat-based diets. Commercial cat foods easily exceed minimum requirements. |
| Juvenile | — | 0.5 | 3 | mg | Growing kittens have higher B5 needs for rapid metabolism and tissue development. |
Source: NRC 2006, AAFCO 2024
