MICRO MINERALS
Iron
MDR
Iron has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a Maintenance
Dosage of 0.3 mg and a Growth Dosage of 0.79 mg.
Purpose
Iron is needed for healthy red blood cells, oxygen transfer, used by some enzymes, and
needed for energy metabolism.
Signs of Deficiency
The lack of Iron can cause:
Poor growth, anemia, pale mucous membranes, lethargy, weakness, impaired immunity,
and inability to regulate body temperature.
Signs of Excess
Too much Iron can lead to:
Diarrhea, in extreme can cause GI and other tissue/organ damage.
Natural Sources of Iron
Iron can be found in:
Liver, blood, soy beans, yeast, and iron carbonate.
Copper
MDR
Copper has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 0.3 mg and a Growth Dosage of 0.07 mg.
Purpose
Copper is needed for the formation of hemoglobin (red blood cells), iron metabolism, skin
pigmentation, connective tissue formation, and myelin formation.
Signs of Deficiency
The lack of Copper can cause:
Loss of hair pigmentation in puppies and anemia.
Signs of Excess
Too much Copper can lead to:
Nothing reported but….. In Bedlington Terriers they can store excessive amounts leading
to toxic amounts in the liver causing hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. This is a genetic
problem found in that breed.(Note: Deficiency signs of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium,
manganese, or copper, when manifest as a skeletal disease, may be indistinguishable.)
Natural Sources of Copper
Copper can be found in:
Natural ingredients, copper sulphate, copper carbonate.
Cobalt
MDR
Cobalt has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 0.025 mg and a Growth Dosage of 0.025mg.
Purpose
Cobalt is needed for usage of the essential part of the Vitamin B12.
Signs of Deficiency
The lack of Cobalt can cause:
Anemia.
Signs of Excess
Too much Cobalt can lead to:
Nothing reported.
Natural Sources of Cobalt
Cobalt can be found in:
Liver, organ meats, eggs, and dairy products.
Zinc
MDR
Zinc has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 0.33 and a Growth Dosage of 0.88 mg.
Purpose
Zinc is needed for enzyme reactions most notably in the production of insulin, protein and
carbohydrate synthesis, wound healing, and skin and coat health.
Signs of Deficiency
The lack of Zinc can cause:
Rare except in overdosing of Calcium. Slow growth development, delayed intestinal
absorption, vomiting, testicular atrophy, and skin lesions.
Signs of Excess
Too much Zinc can lead to:
Nothing noted.
Natural Sources of Zinc
Zinc can be found in:
Natural ingredients and zinc oxide.
Iodine
MDR
Iodine has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 0.005mg and a Growth Dosage of 0.0145mg
Purpose
Iodine is needed for thyroid function, growth and development of puppies, regulates
metabolic rate, skin integrity, and cell differentiation.
Signs of Deficiency
The lack of Iodine can cause:
Sterility in adult dogs, still-born puppies, pups having goiters, dry, sparse hair coat, and
hypothyroidism.
Signs of Excess
Too much Iodine can lead to:
Excessive tearing, nasal discharge, dandruff, and increase salivating.
Natural Sources of Iodine
Iodine can be found in:
Iodized salt, sodium iodide, and potassium iodide
Manganese
MDR
Manganese has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 0.045mg and a Growth Dosage of 0.127 mg.
Purpose
Manganese is needed for Enzyme functions, bone development, proper tissue
respiration, and neurological function.
Signs of Deficiency
The lack of Manganese can cause:
No studies have been done in dogs.
Signs of Excess
Too much Manganese can lead to:
Rare. Skeletal disease. (Note: Deficiency signs of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium,
manganese, or copper, when manifest as a skeletal disease, may be indistinguishable.)
Natural Sources of Manganese
Manganese can be found in:
Natural ingredients, manganese oxide, and manganese carbonate.
Selenium
MDR
Selenium has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 1.0 mcg and a Growth Dosage of 2.73 mcg.
Purpose
Selenium is needed for defense against oxidative damage, and immune response.
Signs of Deficiency
The lack of Selenium can cause:
Anorexia, depression, breathing discomfort, coma, and muscular degeneration.
Signs of Excess
Too much Selenium can lead to:
Nothing Noted.
Natural Sources of Selenium
Selenium can be found in:
Seafood’s, kidney, liver, meal, and whole grains.
1. The Collins Guide to Dog Nutrition, By Donald R. Collin, DVM (1989)
2. http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/dog_nutrition_final.pdf
3. http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/vth/sa/clin/cp_handouts/Nutrition_Adult_Dog.pdf
4. http://www.canismajor.com/dog/nutrit2.html
5. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/182902.htm
6. Understanding Nutrition, by Ellie Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes
(2005).
7. Canine Nutrition, Choosing the Best Foods for Your Breed, By
Willaim D. Cusick (1997).
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ARTICLE RESOURCES FOR MICRO MINERALS