Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is a component of coenzyme A, one of the most important molecules in your dog's metabolism. CoA is involved in breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins for energy, synthesizing fatty acids and cholesterol, and producing steroid hormones and neurotransmitters. The name comes from the Greek word pantos meaning "everywhere," and true to its name, B5 participates in over 100 metabolic reactions. It also supports wound healing and helps maintain healthy skin and coat by driving the production of skin oils and lipids.
One large egg provides about 0.7mg of pantothenic acid — a medium dog needs approximately 4–12mg of vitamin B5 per day. Chicken breast, eggs, sunflower seeds, salmon, sweet potato, and lentils are all good sources. Commercial dog foods reliably provide adequate B5, and supplementation is rarely necessary.
0.0% of daily nutrient intake
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) makes up 0.0% of your dog's total daily nutritional requirements by weight. That's a tiny amount — but it matters.
Because pantothenic acid is found in nearly all foods, deficiency is extremely rare in dogs on balanced diets. Experimental deficiency produces loss of appetite, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, skin irritation, and impaired wound healing. In practice, B5 deficiency almost never occurs in isolation and would typically accompany broader nutritional deficiency.
Vitamin B5 is water-soluble and excess is rapidly excreted in urine. Toxicity from dietary or supplemental sources has not been documented in dogs. It is one of the safest vitamins to supplement.
| Life Stage | Size | Min | Max | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | medium 10-25kg | 4 | 12 | mg | NRC recommended allowance. Pantothenic acid is found in nearly all foods, making deficiency extremely rare. |
| Senior | medium 10-25kg | 4 | 12 | mg | Senior dogs maintain similar B5 needs for ongoing energy metabolism and hormone production. |
Source: NRC 2006
