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Ingredient file // Vitamin or mineral

Cobalt Proteinate

A cobalt supplement without a proven dog benefit

Cobalt proteinate is cobalt bound to amino acids or protein fragments and added through a mineral premix. It supplies cobalt, but dogs need vitamin B12 itself. No dog study shows that this form of cobalt improves health.

Role in the food Does a job
What it is
A trace mineral ingredient made by binding cobalt from a soluble salt to amino acids or protein fragments.
Made from
Cobalt salt and protein fragments
Main job
Adds cobalt to a premix
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
It does not replace vitamin B12
Not the same as
Vitamin B12 supplement

Straight answer

Is Cobalt Proteinate safe for dogs?

Read it as a premix ingredient

Cobalt proteinate near the end of an ingredient list tells you the maker added a trace mineral concentrate. It does not tell you the food supplies more usable vitamin B12. Check the food's nutritional adequacy statement, and do not pay extra for a cobalt absorption claim.

Why it is in the food
Adds cobalt to a premix

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 19 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

5%

165 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 23 brands. 115 wet dog food, 48 dry dog food, 2 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 20. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

3%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 97% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.47
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 27 priced foods, 7% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

23%

of the foods that list it are from Merrick. 23 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Mineral suppliers make proteinates for feed manufacturers that use bound forms of trace minerals. They combine a soluble cobalt salt with amino acids or protein fragments and supply the concentrate for premixes.6,8

  1. 01 // Source Cobalt salt A soluble cobalt salt supplies the mineral in the finished proteinate.
  2. 02 // Process Bind to protein The cobalt is bound to amino acids or partially broken down protein.
  3. 03 // Process Pack concentrate A commercial product is packed in bags for feed manufacturers, not sold as finished feed.
  4. 04 // Output Cobalt proteinate The concentrated ingredient is measured into a mineral premix before the finished food is made.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

10.5

% cobalt

Cobalt by dry weight in one listed product. This describes the concentrated ingredient, not the amount in finished dog food.

Cobalt 10.5%7
Crude protein 30%7
Ash 15%7

These figures describe one listed concentrate, not a standard formula for every supplier. Its protein is part of the mineral ingredient; the small amount used in food is not a meaningful protein source.7,8

Why it is in the bag

A premix mineral dogs have no use for

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Makers add it through the mineral premix as a cobalt concentrate, about 10.5% cobalt by dry weight in one listed product, so it often sits low on labels, which rank ingredients by weight. Its job is to supply cobalt. An EFSA feed review found that only animals whose gut microbes make vitamin B12 can use cobalt, and saw no need to add it for others. For dogs it likely adds no usable nutrition.5,7,9

  1. 01

    Supplies measured cobalt

    A commercial concentrate guarantees its cobalt content, letting a manufacturer measure it into a premix. That is its manufacturing job, even though extra cobalt has no demonstrated nutritional benefit for dogs.5,8

  2. 02

    Fits premix production

    The supplier sells it in 25 kg bags for feed manufacturers. A concentrated ingredient lets them weigh small portions into mineral premixes used across batches.8

  3. 03

    Supports chelate marketing

    The proteinate name identifies a bound mineral form. Results for other chelated minerals do not show that cobalt proteinate gives dogs an absorption or health advantage.2,6

How much One supplier guarantees 10% cobalt in its concentrate but publishes no inclusion rate for finished dog food.8

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Cobalt proteinate supplies cobalt

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A commercial cobalt proteinate label guarantees at least 10% cobalt in the concentrate. The claim correctly identifies what the ingredient supplies; it does not show that adding cobalt benefits a dog.8

  2. Brands say

    Chelated cobalt absorbs better than cobalt salts

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    No dog trial comparing cobalt proteinate with a cobalt salt was found. In a 12-dog zinc proteinate trial, most zinc markers were unchanged by mineral form. Zinc results cannot prove a cobalt benefit.2

  3. Brands say

    Extra cobalt prevents vitamin B12 deficiency

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Dogs absorb vitamin B12 before the gut region where their microbes make it from cobalt. A randomized trial in 46 dogs with low B12 used the vitamin itself to raise blood levels, not cobalt.1,4,5

  4. Brands say

    Extra cobalt boosts energy and blood health

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Cobalt is part of vitamin B12, but cobalt proteinate is not a B12 treatment. The 46-dog trial tested B12 supplements, while an expert feed review found no need to add cobalt for animals such as dogs.1,5

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It is a concentrated trace mineral ingredient added for cobalt, not bulk. Its role in the recipe is clear, although extra cobalt has no demonstrated nutritional benefit for dogs.5,8

  2. Q02

    Is it vitamin B12?

    No

    Vitamin B12 contains cobalt, but cobalt proteinate is a different ingredient. Dogs get usable B12 from food or a B12 supplement; B12 made by their gut microbes appears too late for useful absorption.4,5

  3. Q03

    Does chelated mean better?

    Unproven here

    Binding a mineral to protein changes its form. It does not prove better results in dogs. A 12-dog zinc proteinate study cannot answer whether cobalt proteinate absorbs better or improves health.2,6

  4. Q04

    How much is in my dog's food?

    Label won't say

    The ingredient list ranks ingredients by weight but gives no amount for each one. A supplier's cobalt percentage describes its concentrate, so it cannot tell you how much the food contains.8,9

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Merrick 38 / 107
  2. Koha 20 / 29
  3. Wellness 19 / 118
  4. Nulo 13 / 117
  5. NutriSource 11 / 91
  6. Whole Earth Farms 10 / 12
  7. Abound 5 / 20
  8. Instinct 5 / 98
  9. I and Love and You 5 / 23
  10. Dave's Pet Food 4 / 22

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 13 more brands.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Carrots 41%
  2. Dried Egg Product 41%
  3. Chicken 39%
  4. Natural Flavor 39%
  5. Peas 34%
  6. Guar Gum 29%
  7. Flaxseed 29%
  8. Sweet Potatoes 29%
  9. Turkey 28%
  10. Potatoes 27%
  11. Beef 25%
  12. Chicken Broth 24%

On the shelf

Foods that list Cobalt Proteinate

165 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Wellness Core 95% Chicken & Broccoli Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core 95% Chicken & Broccoli Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelHealth Extension food Grain Free Turkey Entree Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free Turkey Entree Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelDave’s Pet Food 95% Premium Meats Turkey & Chicken For Dogs / Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food 95% Premium Meats Turkey & Chicken For Dogs / Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Whitefish, Brown Rice & Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Whitefish, Brown Rice & Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelFromm Four-Star Pâté Duck À La Veg Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Pâté Duck À La Veg Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelAuthority Chicken & Carrot Entree Adult Dog Wet Dog FoodAuthorityAuthority Chicken & Carrot Entree Adult Dog Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelInstinct Original Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelInstinct Original Food Real Beef Recipe Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Food Real Beef Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelAuthority Everyday Health Chicken & Vegetable Entree Senior 7+ Wet Dog FoodAuthorityAuthority Everyday Health Chicken & Vegetable Entree Senior 7+ Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelZignature Select Cuts Turkey Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Select Cuts Turkey Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Pork & Peas Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Pork & Peas Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the label
Show 48 more
Instinct Original Food Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Food Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelKoha Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon Entrée Dog Food TopperKohaKoha Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon Entrée Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 14 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Chunky Colossal Chicken Dinner Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Chunky Colossal Chicken Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelKoha Limited Ingredient Diet Venison Entrée Dog Food TopperKohaKoha Limited Ingredient Diet Venison Entrée Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 15 on the labelOrijen Chicken Recipe Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Chicken Recipe Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelAuthority Chicken & Carrot Entree Puppy Wet Dog FoodAuthorityAuthority Chicken & Carrot Entree Puppy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelAuthority Everyday Health Beef & Vegetable Entree Adult Dog Wet Dog FoodAuthorityAuthority Everyday Health Beef & Vegetable Entree Adult Dog Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Carver’s Delight Chunky Chicken Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Carver’s Delight Chunky Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelMerrick Grammy’s Grain Free Chicken Pot Pie Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grammy’s Grain Free Chicken Pot Pie Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelZignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe Healthy Weight Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe Healthy Weight Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the labelNutriSource Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the labelKoha Limited Ingredient Diet Beef Entrée Wet Dog FoodKohaKoha Limited Ingredient Diet Beef Entrée Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelKoha Duck Entrée : Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Dog FoodKohaKoha Duck Entrée : Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelKoha Limited Ingredient Diet Chicken Entrée Wet Dog FoodKohaKoha Limited Ingredient Diet Chicken Entrée Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelPure Balance Pro+ Turkey & Potato Recipe Can Wet Dog FoodPure BalancePure Balance Pro+ Turkey & Potato Recipe Can Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelAbound Lamb & Beef Dinner Wet Dog FoodAboundAbound Lamb & Beef Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelInstinct Original Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Chicken Casserole Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Chicken Casserole Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Big Texas Chunky Steak Tips in Gravy Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Big Texas Chunky Steak Tips in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Chicken & Turkey Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Chicken & Turkey Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Beef & Red Lentils Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Beef & Red Lentils Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelNutriSource Turkey & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Turkey & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelWellness Complete Health Venison & Salmon Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Complete Health Venison & Salmon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelWellness Complete Health Turkey Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Complete Health Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelWellness Complete Health Beef Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Complete Health Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelInstinct Original Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Beef Recipe Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Beef Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Beef Tips & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Beef Tips & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Thanksgiving Day Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Thanksgiving Day Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelZignature Select Cuts Lamb & Lamb Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Select Cuts Lamb & Lamb Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe with Chicken & Turkey Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe with Chicken & Turkey Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Small Bites Turkey & Sweet Potato Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Small Bites Turkey & Sweet Potato Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelNutriSource Performance Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Performance Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelJinx Chicken & Vegetable Bone Broth Stew Wet Dog FoodJinxJinx Chicken & Vegetable Bone Broth Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelWellness Complete Health Lamb & Beef Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Complete Health Lamb & Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelWellness Complete Health Turkey & Duck Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Complete Health Turkey & Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelKoha Limited Ingredient Lamb Entrée Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodKohaKoha Limited Ingredient Lamb Entrée Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelKoha Limited Ingredient Turkey Entrée for Sensitive Stomachs Wet Dog FoodKohaKoha Limited Ingredient Turkey Entrée for Sensitive Stomachs Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelOrijen Premium Tundra Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Premium Tundra Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Turkey Meatloaf Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Turkey Meatloaf Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Slow-Cooked BBQ Chopped Lamb Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Slow-Cooked BBQ Chopped Lamb Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Pappy’s Chunky Pot Roast Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Pappy’s Chunky Pot Roast Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Hero’s Banquet Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Hero’s Banquet Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 18 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Turkey & Duck Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Turkey & Duck Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 18 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe Healthy Puppy Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe Healthy Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 18 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Effect of oral or injectable supplementation with cobalamin in dogs with hypocobalaminemia caused by chronic enteropathy or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2022 // Journal
  2. 2 Effect of Zinc Source and Exogenous Enzymes Supplementation on Zinc Status in Dogs Fed High Phytate Diets Animals, 2020 // Journal
  3. 3 The Pathology of Experimental Cobalt Cardiomyopathy The Bulletin of the Society for Experimental Pathology, 1977 // Journal
  4. 4 Review of cobalamin status and disorders of cobalamin metabolism in dogs Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2020 // Journal
  5. 5 Scientific Opinion on the use of cobalt compounds as additives in animal nutrition EFSA Journal, 2009 // Regulator
  6. 6 Official Names and Definitions of Feed Ingredients AAFCO, 2025 // Regulator
  7. 7 KeyShure Cobalt Proteinate 10% (Balchem) - Equine Nutrition Analysis Mad Barn Feed Bank, n.d. // Database
  8. 8 KeyShure Cobalt Balchem label hosted by Animalytix, 2026 // Industry
  9. 9 Reading Labels AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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