Jacqueline Boyd explains why these nutrients are key for the functioning of the canine body.
Minerals are micronutrients with mega functions. From forming the structure of bones and teeth to supporting normal body function, minerals are critical for our dogs’ day-to-day health and well-being.
But what exactly are minerals and why is it so important that they are in our dogs’ diets at the right levels?
WHAT ARE MINERALS?
Minerals are chemical elements required for key body structures and to support metabolic functioning. Some are well-recognised, such as iron, calcium, and copper. Others, such as selenium and manganese, are less well-known but retain key roles in overall health.
Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are known as macrominerals, and are needed in relatively high levels in the diet (often grams per day). The microminerals (or trace elements) are needed at much lower levels.
About 4% of your dog’s body weight consists of minerals, the vast majority being those found in the skeleton and teeth. However, even the microminerals are critical – for example, iodine is essential for correct functioning of the thyroid gland, which is important for growth and hormone production.
THE ELECTROLYTES
The electrolytes are a very special class of minerals that are critical in supporting cellular function. Electrolytes are also important for transmitting nerve impulses, and a deficiency in them can be problematic. Examples of key electrolytes are calcium, potassium and sodium, and they are found in a range of food ingredients including meat, cereal, and bone.
Many animals, including humans and horses, can lose a lot of minerals when sweating and must be replaced. Because dogs have limited capacity to sweat, they don’t lose the same level of electrolytes, but they are still important and need to be provided in the diet.
MINERAL REQUIREMENTS
Like many nutrients, the different minerals are needed in different amounts to support your dog’s health. For most minerals, there are identified safe ranges with a minimum and maximum identified. Providing a dietary intake between these values will ensure adequate intake. A well-formulated diet (of any type) should provide this.
One important point about minerals is that they sometimes interact with each other, and other nutrients in either a positive or a negative way. Diet formulation takes account of these mineral interactio
