Quick Benefits Bullets
- Delivers 250 mcg of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) per mL for daily maintenance support
- Liquid dropper format — administer directly by mouth or mixed into food
- Weight-based dosing: 1 mL to 6 mL once daily depending on body weight
- Suitable for dogs and cats with a history of cobalamin insufficiency
- Appropriate as a long-term maintenance supplement following B12 restoration
- Natural flavourings (non-animal origin); free from artificial preservatives beyond potassium sorbate
Product Description
Vitamin B12 — also known as cobalamin — is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a central role in nerve function, red blood cell maturation, DNA synthesis, and the metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, B12 cannot be stored in large amounts in the body, and any disruption to absorption — whether from gastrointestinal disease, dietary gaps, or aging — can gradually deplete circulating levels.
In dogs and cats, clinically significant B12 deficiency is most often associated with conditions affecting the ileum, where cobalamin absorption occurs. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic small intestinal disease are among the most common culprits. However, subclinical insufficiency can also occur in older pets, those on restricted diets, and those recovering from prolonged GI disturbance — even after the acute phase has resolved.
Rx B12 Original by Rx Vitamins for Pets is formulated for maintenance-phase supplementation. Each millilitre provides 250 mcg of cyanocobalamin in a palatable liquid base of glycerin, water, D-fructose, natural flavourings, and potassium sorbate. The dropper format makes precise weight-based dosing straightforward, and administration is simple — directly into the mouth or mixed into a small amount of food.
This product is best suited for pets whose serum B12 levels have already been restored to normal range — typically after an initial period on a higher-concentration product or injectable B12 — and who require ongoing supplementation to maintain those levels. For pets with chronic, non-resolving GI conditions, continuous B12 support is often part of their long-term management plan.
Rx Vitamins for Pets products are manufactured to NASC quality standards. Canadian distribution and quality oversight is handled by MedVant Inc., based in Woodstock, Ontario.
Key Ingredients
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Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) — 250 mcg/mL: Supports red blood cell maturation, neurological function (including myelin sheath maintenance), fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, and homocysteine regulation. Essential for cognitive health and sustained energy metabolism in dogs and cats.
Inactive Ingredients: Glycerin, water, D-fructose, natural flavourings (non-animal origin), potassium sorbate.
Directions for Use
Shake well before use. Administer orally once daily, directly into the mouth or mixed into food.
| Body Weight |
Daily Dose |
| ≤ 11 kg |
1 mL |
| 11.1 – 22 kg |
2 mL |
| 22.1 – 45 kg |
4 mL |
| > 45 kg |
6 mL |
Store at 15°–25°C, out of direct sunlight.
Supplement Advisor's Note
Rx B12 Original is designed for the maintenance phase — after serum cobalamin has been restored, typically through an initial course of a higher-potency product or injectable B12. The 250 mcg/mL concentration is appropriate for ongoing daily supplementation rather than active repletion. One important clinical nuance: in pets with underlying GI disease such as IBD or EPI, the absorption impairment doesn't disappear once the condition is managed — it persists. That means long-term B12 supplementation is often necessary indefinitely, not just during flare-ups. The liquid dropper format is also a practical advantage here, since oral mucosal absorption begins immediately on contact, partially bypassing the ileal absorption step that's compromised in these patients.
FAQ
How does Rx B12 Original differ from Rx B12 Forte? The Original provides 250 mcg of B12 per mL, which is appropriate for maintenance once serum levels have normalized. The Forte version delivers a higher concentration suited for active deficiency or the initial repletion phase. Most pets transition to Original after levels are stabilized.
Can a healthy pet take this as a general supplement? Pets eating balanced commercial diets generally obtain adequate B12 through food. This product is most clinically valuable for pets with diagnosed B12 insufficiency, GI malabsorption conditions, or documented risk factors — rather than as a routine supplement for healthy animals.
Is liquid B12 better absorbed than tablet or capsule forms? Liquid forms begin absorbing at the oral mucosa and don't require tablet breakdown before reaching the gut. For pets with compromised GI function, this head-start matters. That said, primary cobalamin absorption still occurs in the ileum, so the liquid format is an advantage, not a complete bypass.
What signs might suggest my pet has low B12? Common signs of cobalamin insufficiency include lethargy, unexplained weight loss, reduced appetite, intermittent vomiting, and in longer-standing cases, neurological changes. A serum cobalamin level is the definitive assessment — clinical signs alone are not specific enough to confirm deficiency.
