Minerals

Dietary minerals are the chemical elements required by living organisms, other than the four elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen which are ubiquitous in organic molecules. Minerals are sometimes added to the diet separately from food or taken as mineral supplements. There are two classifications of minerals: bulk minerals and trace minerals. These can occur naturally in food or added in elemental or mineral form, such as calcium carbonate or sodium chloride. Some of these additives come from natural sources such as ground oyster shells.

Calcium

Calcium makes up nearly 20% of the pet's total body weight, making it the most ample mineral in the body. More than 99% of the calcium in the body is found in bones. It is a building block of bones and teeth and enables cells to respond to hormones and nerve transmitters. Milk, cheese and other dairy products, canned fish with bones (such as sardines), dark green vegetables and tofu are excellent sources of calcium. We use bonemeal in our supplement, as it is one of the most natural sources of calcium and provides many trace minerals. Bonemeal is a particularly good choice for feeding dogs with bone problems or hip dysplasia.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a mineral used by many tissues in the body. After calcium, it is the largest component of bones and teeth. It is essential in cell growth, energy use, amino acid and protein formation and the distribution of fatty acids. Its availability is generally greater in animal based ingredients such as meat tissues, eggs and grains than in plant-based ingredients.

Sodium and Chloride

Sodium and chloride are often thought of as a pair. They help maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside individual cells of the body. Sodium aids in the transfer of nutrients to cells and the removal of waste products. Chloride helps maintain the proper acid/alkali balance in the body and is also necessary for the production of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach, which helps in the digestion of protein. Sodium and chloride are found in almost all foods, and both deficiencies and toxicity are rare, provided ample fresh water is available at all times. Water allows any excess intake of sodium or chloride to be filtered through the kidneys and excreted into the urine. If good drinking water is not provided, however, the concentrations of sodium and chloride can become too high, possibly leading to seizures, blindness, dehydration, loss of appetite, and death within 24 hours.

Potassium

Potassium is one of the major electrolytes in the body, along with sodium and chloride. It is found in high concentrations within the cells. Because it is widely distributed in many foods, deficiencies in the diet are unlikely if dogs are fed complete and balanced dog foods. Potassium is necessary for the proper functioning of enzymes, muscles, nerves. It is also necessary to maintain a proper fluid balance throughout the body.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a macro-mineral, which means it is needed in greater amounts in the diet and is found in larger amounts in the body. It is the third largest mineral constituent of bone (calcium and phosphorus being the first and second) and has a number of important functions. It is necessary for the absorption and proper use of certain vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, calcium and phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. It is necessary for proper bone growth, the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, the functioning of enzymes in the body and the production of protein. It is often used for muscle relaxation and the regulation of blood clotting. Magnesium is found in raw wheat germ, whole grains, soybeans, milk, and fish.

Manganese

Manganese is a trace element that serves as an antioxidant. It occurs in the body primarily in the liver, but it is also present in significant amounts in the kidneys, the pancreas and the bones. Low concentrations are also found in the skeletal muscles. It is essential for bone and cartilage development, the proper use of protein and carbohydrates by the body, the production of energy and the making of fatty acids. It is also an important constituent of many enzymes in the body. Manganese is present in whole grains, seeds, nuts, eggs, and green vegetables.

Iron

As its primary function, iron combines with Copper (Cu) and protein to form hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron also is necessary for certain enzymes in the body to function normally. Iron is found in liver, lean meats, fish, whole grains, and legumes. Most commercial pet foods contain a highly available form of supplemental iron to help meet dietary requirements.

Copper

Copper is necessary for a number of body processes including the formation of collagen, bone and connective tissue, the absorption of iron, the development and maturation of red blood cells, the function as an antioxidant, and the development of pigment in hair. Copper is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, and stored in the liver, kidneys, and brain. Copper is found in liver, fish, whole grains, and legumes.

Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral found in every cell in the body and required by more than 300 enzymes in the body. It is necessary for normal growth, formation of the epidermis, metabolism of both protein and carbohydrates and normal immune function. Zinc is not considered to be highly absorbable. Animals that are fed a diet high in plant material may have an increased risk of developing zinc deficiencies. Zinc is found in higher concentrations in meat and bone than it is in plant sources.

Iodine

Iodine is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and the production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones regulate the rate of metabolism in the body and play an important role in normal growth. Iodine is found in fish and iodized salt (salt with iodine added). Iodine deficiency results in lower than normal production of thyroid hormones, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include poor growth, hair loss, weight gain in older animals, weakness, and some behavioral changes such as irritability.

Selenium

Selenium is an important trace mineral which has antioxidant properties similar to vitamin E. It functions in conjunction with Vitamin E and certain enzymes to protect cells and is required for normal pancreatic function and lipid absorption. Selenium also has an important role in maintaining normal levels of thyroid hormones in the metabolism of iodine, which is involved in thyroid hormone metabolism. The daily requirement for selenium is less than the requirement for any of the other trace elements, and is the most toxic of the trace elements. High-protein plants such as cereals and meat products are good sources of selenium.