Minerals, like vitamins, are essential to your pet’s health. A complete and balanced diet will normally ensure your pet gets the proper mineral content required.
Look for a food, or supplement, which uses chelated minerals. Chelation is a process which makes the minerals more bio-available to your pet.
Two minerals, Calcium and Phosphorus, should be carefully monitored to ensure proper skeletal development, particularly in puppies. The proper ratio is approximately 1.5 parts calcium to one part phosphorus.
Individual minerals can be supplemented when a deficiency or other abnormality is detected. Mineral supplements should be used with care, since they can affect a complex inter-relationship with one another.
Be aware of both the good and bad effects when playing with minerals.
Iron supports healthy blood, but too much iron can affect phosphorus absorption.
Copper helps with the metabolization of Iron, but too much copper can depress iron absorption.
Excess Magnesium can affect calcium absorption. Magnesiium deficiency can contribute to muscular weakness.
Excess Potassium can be toxic. Potassium deficiency affects growth, and can lead to dehydration.
Excess Zinc can lead to a copper deficiency. Zinc deficiency can result in weight loss and low energy.