Minerals
Calcium is found primarily in the skeletal system. The remainder is located in extracellular fluids. Because blood calcium levels are tightly controlled homeostatically, routine blood tests may not accurately reflect the adequacy of dietary calcium intake.
Functions: It maintains the structural integrity of the skeleton and balances calcium levels in the blood through continuous processes of bone breakdown and formation. It is critical for nerve transmission, muscle contraction, blood clotting, enzyme activation, cell membrane permeability, and heart function. This balance is regulated by PTH, calcitonin, and active vitamin D (calcitriol).
Deficiency symptoms include rickets, osteomalacia, nutritionally related secondary hyperparathyroidism, lameness, and other skeletal problems.
Symptoms of excess: Impaired skeletal development and impaired phosphorus and zinc absorption.
Sources: Bone, eggshell powder, calcium carbonate.
Phosphorus is found primarily in the skeletal system, with the remainder in soft tissues.
Functions: Similar to calcium, it provides structural support to the skeleton and is released into the bloodstream when needed. It plays a role in almost all metabolic processes in the body. It is an important component of DNA and RNA, some B vitamin coenzymes, and phospholipids in the cell membrane. Therefore, it plays a critical role in regulating the transport of substances across the cell membrane. It is also essential for cellular respiration (energy production).
Deficiency Symptoms: Abnormal appetite (pica), growth retardation, decreased fertility, dull feather texture, spontaneous fractures, and rickets.
Symptoms of excess: Hypercalcemia, calcification in soft tissues, and impaired calcium and magnesium absorption.
Sources: Bone, bone meal, meat, poultry, and fish.
Magnesium is found in most of the body in the form of phosphate and carbonate in the bones. The remainder is located in intracellular and extracellular fluids.
Functions: It contributes to skeletal structure and plays a role in many metabolic reactions, including energy metabolism. As a cation in extracellular fluids, it is essential for carbohydrate and protein metabolism. Along with calcium, sodium, and potassium, it is important for muscle contraction and nerve transmission. It also participates in the activity of more than 300 enzymes. It can be lost by leaching into the liquid during cooking.
Deficiency Signs: Soft tissue calcification.
Symptoms of Overdose: It is rare, but high doses of supplements can cause diarrhea.
Sources: Meat and supplements, and some sources of digestible carbohydrates. Supplements generally have a higher absorption rate compared to food.
Iron is found in all body cells, particularly in the structure of hemoglobin and myoglobin. It is mainly stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and acts as a cofactor for many enzymes.
Functions: The iron in hemoglobin enables the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Myoglobin, in turn, supports the binding and utilization of oxygen in muscle cells. Iron also plays a role in metabolic processes by being part of the structure of many enzymes, including cytochrome enzymes.
Deficiency Symptoms: Increased clotting time and bleeding (usually due to chronic blood loss and rare).
Symptoms of Overdose: Data on toxicity in dogs and cats are limited, and most studies have been conducted on fasting or with high doses of supplementation. Therefore, there is no established upper limit.
Important note: High iron intake can deplete copper stores in the liver and negatively affect zinc absorption. The iron-copper ratio should not exceed 20:1.
Sources: Offal (especially liver and kidneys), egg yolks, and fish.Copper is mainly found in the blood, stored in the liver, and the excess is excreted in the bile.
Functions: It is essential for iron absorption and transport. It is important for the conversion of tyrosine to melanin, collagen and elastin synthesis, and ATP production. It is involved in the structure of many enzymes. It also plays a role in antioxidant defense, bone development, pigment formation, myelin sheath formation, and histamine degradation.
Deficiency Symptoms: Hypochromic microcytic anemia, impaired skeletal development in young animals, and feather depigmentation.
Symptoms of Excess Copper: Some dog breeds may experience liver disease due to impaired copper metabolism. At-risk breeds include Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, German Shepherds, Labradors, Poodles, and Samoyeds.
Sources: Liver, oysters.
Zinc is found widely in all tissues of the body.
Functions: It is a component of many enzymes. It is a cofactor for DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. It is essential for cellular immunity and reproductive functions. It also plays an important role in vitamin A metabolism.
Deficiency Symptoms: Dermatoses, lightening of feather color, growth retardation, and reproductive problems. Clinically, anorexia, testicular atrophy, immune deficiency, conjunctivitis, and skin lesions may be observed.
Symptoms of Excess: It is generally not toxic, but excessive intake can interfere with the absorption of iron and copper.
Sources: Lean red meat and oysters.
Potassium is the main cation in intracellular fluid. Approximately one-third of the potassium in the cell is bound to proteins, while the remainder is in ionized form.
Functions: Ionized potassium maintains osmotic balance, which preserves intracellular fluid volume. It also plays a role in many enzymatic reactions. The small amount extracellularly is necessary for nerve transmission and muscle contraction; therefore, it is particularly important for the normal functioning of the heart muscle. It also contributes to the regulation of acid-base balance and plays a role in the conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver. It is essential for normal growth.
Sources: Meat, poultry, fish, sweet potatoes, bananas, and fresh plant-based foods in general.
Sodium and chloride are the main electrolytes found in extracellular fluid.
Functions: Sodium is the main cation of extracellular fluid and regulates fluid distribution in the body by maintaining osmotic balance. It also plays an important role in muscle contraction and maintaining intracellular-extracellular electrolyte balance. Chloride, on the other hand, constitutes approximately one-third of the anions in extracellular fluid. It affects osmotic pressure, water balance, and acid-base balance. It is also necessary for the production of gastric acid (HCl).
Both minerals together are critical for fluid balance, electrolyte balance, and acid-base regulation. Dogs and cats can adapt to a wide range of sodium intake; however, intake needs to be carefully monitored in certain health conditions.
Sources: Salt (sodium chloride).Selenium is a component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase and protects cells from oxidative damage. It works in conjunction with vitamin C and vitamin E.
When vitamin E intake is low, selenium requirements increase because oxidative damage increases. This is because vitamin E reduces lipid oxidation, thereby decreasing the utilization of glutathione and selenium.
Selenium also plays a role in the production and regulation of thyroid hormones and protects the thyroid gland from oxidative damage. It also activates and deactivates thyroid hormones.
It is also important from a reproductive perspective; its deficiency can negatively affect fertility, especially since it protects sperm from oxidative damage.
Sources: Kidney and Brazil nut.
Manganese functions as a component of cellular enzymes and is found in the mitochondria of cells.
Functions: It contributes to the regulation of nutrient metabolism. It is particularly important for bone development and reproduction in growing animals. It also plays a critical role in cartilage formation and joint health.
Deficiency symptoms include growth retardation, reproductive problems, and impaired lipid metabolism.
Sources: Green tripe (unwashed) and blue mussels.
Iodine is essential for the synthesis of the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in the thyroid gland.
Functions: Through thyroid hormones, it plays a critical role in regulating metabolism, growth, and development.
Both too little and too much iodine intake can lead to serious health problems.
Deficiency Symptoms: Natural deficiency is rare; however, the main symptom is thyroid enlargement, or goiter. In cases of deficiency, growth retardation, skin problems, and central nervous system dysfunction may occur.
Sources : Kelp, fish, eggs, and supplements.