{"id":20,"date":"2024-12-01T11:13:45","date_gmt":"2024-12-01T11:13:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/2020\/07\/08\/how-to-give-your-dog-the-trace-minerals-he-needs\/"},"modified":"2020-07-08T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-07-08T16:00:00","slug":"how-to-give-your-dog-the-trace-minerals-he-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/01\/how-to-give-your-dog-the-trace-minerals-he-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Give Your Dog The Trace Minerals He Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feeding your dog a balanced diet can be difficult. Especially when it comes to giving him the vitamins and minerals he needs.<\/p>\n

Today I want to talk about a group of important minerals. One that he may not get enough of \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

And that\u2019s trace minerals.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are lots of whole foods with trace minerals. And I\u2019ll share some of the best options with you \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026 but first let\u2019s talk about what trace minerals are and why your dog needs them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

What Are Trace Minerals?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Trace minerals are an important part of your dog\u2019s health. But he only needs a small amount (or trace amounts \u2026 which is where this group of minerals got their name).<\/span><\/p>\n

Each mineral has its own role to play for your dog:<\/span><\/p>\n

Iron<\/b><\/h3>\n

Iron makes hemoglobin and myoglobin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout your dog\u2019s body. Myoglobin provides oxygen to his muscles.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your dog doesn\u2019t get enough iron, he could experience:
<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Poor growth<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Anemia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Selenium<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Selenium is an antioxidant that protects against cell damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If your dog doesn\u2019t get enough selenium, he could experience:
    <\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Low immunity<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Muscle cramping<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Low-stress tolerance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Zinc<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Zinc boosts the immune system so that it can fight off viruses and bacteria and heal wounds. It also activates enzymes and improves your dog\u2019s coat.<\/span>
      <\/b><\/p>\n

      If your dog doesn\u2019t get enough zinc, he could experience:
      <\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Fertility issues<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Bone and <\/span>joint problems<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Trouble healing wounds<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Copper<\/b><\/h3>\n

        Copper forms bone and cartilage and helps your dog absorb iron. It can also prevent <\/span>heart disease<\/span> and <\/span>osteoporosis<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

        If your dog doesn\u2019t get enough copper, he could experience:
        <\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        •     Bone and joint disease<\/span><\/li>\n
        •     Poor coat color<\/span><\/li>\n
        •     Ligament and tendon issues<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          RELATED: <\/b>Arthritis In Dogs: Managing Pain Naturally<\/span> \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

          Manganese<\/b><\/h3>\n

          Manganese helps with bone and cartilage growth, blood clotting and the production of thyroid hormones.
          <\/span><\/p>\n

          It also helps break down amino acids, glucose, cholesterol and carbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

          If your dog doesn\u2019t get enough manganese, he could experience:
          <\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Reproductive issues<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Skin and hair abnormalities<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Bond and joint development issues<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Sources of Trace Minerals for dogs<\/b><\/h2>\n

            Like humans, dogs get the vitamins and minerals they need from the food they eat.
            <\/span><\/p>\n

            But not all foods are created equal.<\/span><\/p>\n

            The Problem With Vitamins and Minerals in Kibble<\/b><\/h3>\n

            Many dog food bags say the kibble inside is full of vitamins and minerals.<\/span><\/p>\n

            This may be true but \u2026 the minerals are synthetic.<\/span><\/p>\n

            At this point, you may be thinking, \u201cWhy are they adding in synthetic minerals? Vitamins and minerals are naturally found in the foods we eat, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

            You\u2019re right. The problem is most nutrients can\u2019t survive the heat when cooked. So, manufacturers add the minerals after the fact.<\/span><\/p>\n

            But business is business and natural supplements are expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

            That is why they use synthetic vitamins and minerals. Take a look at the dog food bag and you will see ingredients like:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Zinc Sulfate<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Calcium carbonate<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Sodium selenite <\/span><\/li>\n
            • Manganese sulfite<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Copper sulfate<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              These supplements are highly processed.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Let\u2019s consider sodium selenite. It\u2019s a supplement that contains selenium (one of the important trace minerals I mentioned earlier).<\/span><\/p>\n

              Sodium selenite is made from a combination of sodium hydroxide and selenous acid solution.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Sodium hydroxide is used for drain cleaner. Selenous acid is a byproduct of the copper purification process.
              <\/span><\/p>\n

              I am sure neither of these sound like something you would want to consume yourself or give to your pet.<\/span><\/p>\n

              In fact, the <\/span>National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)<\/span> has warned that prolonged exposure to sodium selenite may cause:<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              •     Paleness<\/span><\/li>\n
              •     Coated tongue<\/span><\/li>\n
              •     Stomach issues<\/span><\/li>\n
              •     Nervousness<\/span><\/li>\n
              •     Liver damage<\/span><\/li>\n
              •     Spleen damage<\/span><\/li>\n
              •     Amenia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                So how do you make sure your dog gets the trace minerals he needs?<\/span><\/p>\n

                Natural Sources of Trace Minerals<\/b><\/h2>\n

                When it comes to your dog\u2019s diet the best way to give him the nutrients he needs is to feed <\/span>raw whole foods<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Foods that are high in trace minerals include:<\/span><\/p>\n

                Meat<\/b><\/h3>\n

                Nutritious proteins are full of trace minerals.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Beef is great for selenium and copper. While poultry has lots of iron. Halibut and sardines are also a good source of selenium. And zinc and manganese can be found in fish, poultry and other meats as well.
                <\/span><\/p>\n

                Eggs (while not classified as meat) are a great protein and rich in copper, iron, manganese and selenium.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Organs<\/b><\/h3>\n

                Organs<\/span> are full of the vitamins, minerals and trace minerals your dog needs. Especially copper.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Organs should make up 10 to 15% of your furry friends\u2019 diet. But don\u2019t just feed one type of organ. Mix it up and feed as many organs as you can:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Liver<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Lungs<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Brain<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Skin<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Eyes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \n <\/p>\n

                  Fruits and Veggies<\/b><\/h3>\n

                  Fruits and vegetables<\/span> are rich in trace minerals. Green veggies can be a great source of copper, manganese and zinc.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Add kale and spinach for copper or broccoli for iron. Or other greens like spirulina, chlorella and kelp for a wide range of trace minerals.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Legumes and Seeds<\/b><\/h3>\n

                  Nuts, seeds and beans can also boost trace minerals like iron and copper. Pumpkin seeds are also a great source of manganese.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Herbs<\/b><\/h3>\n

                  Herbs are a great source of trace minerals.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Try alfalfa, burdock root, catnip and chamomile for manganese, selenium and zinc.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  For copper add some sheep sorrel to their diet.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  And for iron use parsley and fennel.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  While he may not need much, trace minerals are an important part of your dog\u2019s health. So, make sure he gets a balanced diet with the minerals he needs.  <\/span><\/p>\n

                  ,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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