Thiamine (vitamin B1) is essential for converting carbohydrates and some amino acids into energy that your dog's cells can use. It plays a particularly critical role in nerve function and brain metabolism — the brain is highly dependent on glucose metabolism, which requires thiamine at every step. Severe thiamine deficiency causes neurological damage that can be irreversible if not caught early.
A quarter cup of green peas provides about 0.2mg of thiamine — a medium dog needs approximately 0.56–2.0mg of thiamine per day. Most commercial dog foods provide adequate thiamine, but it is heat-sensitive and can be destroyed during processing. Peas, sunflower seeds, and lentils are good natural sources. Avoid feeding large quantities of raw fish, as thiaminase in raw fish breaks down this vitamin.
0.0% of daily nutrient intake
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) makes up 0.0% of your dog's total daily nutritional requirements by weight. That's a tiny amount — but it matters.
Loss of appetite, weight loss, neurological symptoms (wobbly gait, circling, head tilt, seizures), and in severe cases, a characteristic posture where the dog curls its neck backward (ventroflexion). Raw fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine, which is why feeding large amounts of raw fish regularly can cause deficiency.
Thiamine is water-soluble and excess is readily excreted in urine. Toxicity from dietary or supplemental sources is essentially unheard of in dogs.
| Life Stage | Size | Min | Max | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | medium 10-25kg | 0.56 | 2 | mg | NRC recommended allowance. Thiamine is heat-sensitive and may be partially destroyed during food processing. |
| Senior | medium 10-25kg | 0.56 | 2 | mg | Senior dogs maintain similar thiamine requirements. Avoid feeding raw fish, which contains thiaminase that destroys this vitamin. |
Source: NRC 2006
