Choosing the best food for your dog is not as easy as it seems. A proper balance of necessary nutrients from healthy ingredients is what keeps them in good health. Along with proteins, fibre, and vitamins, minerals, there are essential classes of nutrients that must be included in their meals. Crucial for the overall development and function of your four-legged friend, any dog food must have the right amount of these elements to provide optimal health.
Also Read: Personalized Nutrition For Pets: Uses, Benefits And Ways To Optimize Their Health
Types Of Minerals Necessary For Dog Nutrition?
Essential minerals for dogs can be divided into microminerals and trace minerals aka micro minerals. Let us check out the difference between the two:
Macrominerals
They are required in larger quantities than trace minerals in a pet's diet and are found in greater amounts in a pet's body. Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur are examples of microminerals.
Microminerals
Trace minerals, also called micro minerals contain elements that cannot be made by living organisms and come from outside sources. Iron, zinc, fluorine, manganese, iodine, selenium, and copper are trace minerals that must be an essential ingredient in a dog’s food.
Feeding Your Dog Properly? Meal Habits That Could Impact You And Your Pet’s Health
Functions Of Minerals In Dogs
Minerals work together to coordinate various body functions and help animals perform their daily activities. The vital functions of micro and macro minerals are:
- Nerve and muscle function
- Fluid balance regulation
- Transportation of oxygen into the bloodstream
- Hormone production
- Formation of bone and cartilage
Food Sources Of Minerals
A mineral deficiency can lead to illnesses, bone deformities, weakened immune systems, and nervous system abnormalities. Many essential minerals for dogs can come from fruits, vegetables, meats, and whole grains. Moreover, dog foods come in pre-combined mixes, measured and tested for quality assurance, hence they are safe for consumption.
The following minerals can also be obtained through diet:
Magnesium
Magnesium is necessary for muscle and bone development and allows the pet’s body to absorb calcium. This mineral works in harmony with calcium and phosphorus. For dogs, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium sources include fish, beans, molasses, bone meal, organ meats, and vegetables.
Sodium And Chloride
Sodium and chloride help to control the balance of fluid in the body’s cells of the animal. They also augment the functions of the dog's muscles and the heart. Chloride is also needed for the production of stomach acid. Dietary sodium and chloride can come from tomatoes, whole grains, meats, fish, sweet potatoes, and beans.
Potassium
Potassium also helps to maintain fluid balance thus enhancing muscle and nerve function. Potassium deficiency can cause heart deformities in dogs. Potatoes, fish particularly salmon are good sources of this mineral.
Sulfur
Like humans, maintenance of a dog's hair, skin, and nails needs Sulphur. The mineral also aids healing of wounds and detoxifies the body. Dietary sources of sulfur include eggs, fish, meat, and molasses.
Also Read: Pet Nutrition: Essential Vitamins And Minerals For Your Beastie
Trace Minerals
Even though required in small amounts, trace minerals are an essential part of dog nutrition. Some of the more common trace mineral examples are iron, zinc, copper, and selenium. Iron is found in organ meats, poultry, beans, and red meats. Dietary sources of zinc include pork, liver, eggs, and lamb meat. Sources of copper are whole grains, liver, and beans. Selenium works with vitamin E to support immune system function and it can be found in chicken, eggs, pork, and turkey.
References:
- The Mineral Requirements of the Dog
The Relation of Calcium, Phosphorus and Fat Levels to Minimal Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements, K.J. Jenkins 2, P.H. Phillips
https://jn.nutrition.org/article/S0022-3166(23)07129-8/abstract
2.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022316623071286
