Trace Minerals for Dogs

Like humans, dogs need a balanced diet to maintain optimum health. A dog's diet needs to contain 38 components, including protein, carbohydrates and trace minerals. Unlike humans, healthy dogs are provided all the nutrition needed through one food. Commercial dog food is preferable. If you choose to make homemade dog food, consult an animal nutritionist to ensure all nutritional needs are being met.



The phrase "trace mineral" means very little of this mineral is needed to sustain the health of a dog.

  1. Iron

    • Iron is the most prevalent trace mineral in a dog's body. It is necessary to the proper functioning of hemoglobin and myoglobin, both of which work to bind oxygen and transport it throughout the dog's body. It also functions within enzymes that support energy.

      Iron is added to dog food in the form of meat meal and cereal grains. It may appear as a supplement such as dicalcium phosphate, according to "Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats."

    Zinc

    • Zinc is crucial to many bodily functions in dogs. These include protein metabolism and wound healing.

      Some good sources of zinc included in dog food are supplements like zinc sulfate, zinc oxide and zinc carbonate. Red meats, whole grains and peas also serve as zinc sources in dog food.

    Copper

    • Although the bodies of dogs contain very small amounts of copper, this trace mineral serves very important functions. Contained primarily in the liver, copper is contained in enzymes that enhance the formation of connective tissues and normal hair pigmentation.

      Grains in dog food can offer copper; however, it is often added in the form of a supplement. These supplements include Cu-lysine complex and cuprous oxide.

    Selenium

    • Selenium can be found in its highest concentration in the muscles of dogs. One of the most important functions of selenium is its existence as an antioxidant. Selenium also helps to support the immune system.

      Because the amount of selenium contained in ingredients varies widely, it is usually added to dog food as a supplement. Supplements of selenium include sodium selenate decahydrate and sodium selenite.

    Iodine

    • Iodine plays a large role in the growth of puppies and metabolism of adult dogs because it is a major component of thyroid hormone. The majority of iodine in a dog collects in its thyroid.

      This trace mineral varies widely in food--not just in the type of food, but even in the geographical area the food is found. Thus, iodine is almost always added to dog food in the form of inorganic supplements. These supplements include potassium iodide and calcium iodate.

    Manganese

    • Manganese is essential to proper neurological function and bone development through its inclusion in many enzymes. It is also important for the proper functioning and health of the digestive system, and gums and teeth, according to the Dog Health Guide.

      Added to dog food primarily in the form of inorganic salts like manganese carbonate, manganese is also contained in some pet food ingredients. These ingredients can include seafood, cereal grains and poultry products.