Homemade dog food for dogs Minerals—macroelements and trace elements

Nov 17,2023
9Min

1. Macroelements and their importance

Foods rich in calcium include milk, dairy products, and beans.

Calcium is a mineral that plays an important role in bone and tooth development and health. Symptoms of calcium deficiency include lameness, bone loss, and susceptibility to fractures. Calcium deficiency in pregnant and lactating bitches will cause convulsions and limb rigidity. Excess calcium can cause growth retardation, and severe excess can cause bone and joint deformities. The calcium to phosphorus ratio of food is very important!

The serious long-term consequences of excessive phosphorus are renal function damage and even renal failure.

Phosphorus is also an important mineral for bone and tooth development and health. Phosphorus deficiencies in domestic pets are rare, but phosphorus overdose is common. The main source of excessive phosphorus comes from eating exclusively meat. The direct consequence of excess phosphorus is an imbalance in the calcium to phosphorus ratio, leading to calcium deficiency.

There are many foods rich in potassium, including meat, poultry, fish and most vegetables.

Potassium is an important mineral that maintains body moisture, various enzyme reactions, nerve rhythm and heart function. Symptoms of potassium deficiency include loss of appetite, weakness, drooping head and neck, poor body coordination, and even paralysis or paralysis. Potassium toxicity occurs when dogs with kidney failure are unable to metabolize potassium. Healthy dogs generally do not suffer from potassium toxicity. Excessive potassium intake is cardiotoxic and can lead to death.

Meats, dairy, fish, and proteins are high in sodium.

Sodium is an important mineral that maintains body moisture, nerve cells, and muscle fibers. Sodium deficiency can lead to decreased appetite, weight loss, and poor growth. High-sodium meals can cause dogs to urinate profusely to metabolize the excess sodium, resulting in increased water consumption. After a dog accidentally eats a large amount of table salt or special salt for softened water, it will suffer from sodium poisoning. The symptoms of poisoning are convulsions or rapid death.

Chlorine-rich ingredients are consistent with sodium-rich ingredients.

Chlorine is an important mineral that maintains body moisture and acid metabolism. Healthy dogs can maintain a chlorine balance in their bodies. Only after persistent vomiting and kidney damage can dogs develop chlorine deficiency or excess.

Foods containing magnesium include whole grains, legumes, and milk.

Magnesium is a mineral that maintains normal muscle and nerve function. Magnesium deficiency can cause weakness and, in severe cases, epilepsy. Excess magnesium can cause diarrhea.

Sulfur is an indispensable non-metal mineral for the body to synthesize thiamine, chondroitin, insulin, heparin and glutathione in cartilage. Sulfur is the active ingredient in biotin (vitamin H), thiamine (vitamin B1), and the amino acids cystine and methionine. Although most foods contain sulfur, the absorption rate of dietary sulfur in the body is very low. But because the body gets enough cystine and methionine from the diet, the body does not suffer from sulfur deficiency.

2. Trace elements and their importance

Although trace elements are present in very small amounts in the body, they play a key role. Excessive or insufficient intake, imbalance will cause physiological abnormalities or diseases to varying degrees.

Foods high in iron include liver, kidneys, egg yolks, fish, beans and whole grains.

Iron is an important element that makes up blood cells. The symptom of iron deficiency is anemia, but iron deficiency anemia is caused by excessive blood loss, not due to a lack of iron in the diet. Excessive iron supplementation can lead to iron poisoning, which is manifested by weight loss, loss of appetite, and death in severe cases.

Animal liver is the most copper-rich food.

Copper is a mineral responsible for transporting iron in the body to build blood cells. Copper deficiency can therefore also lead to anemia. Excessive amounts of copper can cause liver disease.

Foods rich in manganese mainly include beans and whole grains.

Manganese plays an important role in reproductive function and joint development. Symptoms of manganese deficiency include reduced fertility, miscarriage, joint stiffness and bone deformities. Excess manganese also leads to reduced fertility.

Meat and eggs are highly absorbable sources of dietary zinc.

Zinc plays an important role in maintaining normal skin, sensitive taste and immune function. Zinc deficiency in adult dogs will cause rough skin with dandruff, diarrhea, dry or faded hair, decreased fertility in female dogs, and significantly reduced testicles in male dogs. Puppies lacking zinc will grow slowly. Excessive zinc intake can cause vomiting and cause calcium and copper deficiencies in the body.

Seafood (such as kelp, seaweed, sea fish, etc.) and iodized salt are the main sources of iodine.

Iodine is an important element to ensure the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Symptoms of iodine deficiency are thyroid dysfunction or disorder, hair loss, and lethargy. Excessive iodine intake is also a thyroid disorder.

Selenium-rich foods include grains, meat and fish.

Selenium is important for maintaining normal muscle function. Signs of selenium deficiency in dogs include bone disease, weakness and heart disease. Selenium overdose can cause vomiting, weakness and even death.

Foods containing chromium include meat, liver, whole grains, cheese and brewer's yeast.

The function of chromium is to enhance the activity of insulin. Long-term chromium deficiency can lead to diabetes.

3. Notes

It needs to be emphasized that whether it is metal or non-metallic minerals (the emphasis is on the word mineral), they all come directly or indirectly from the earth - Mother Earth! The important role of traditional natural ingredients derived from crops in providing various macro and trace elements must be paid enough attention! Cereals and beans are the seeds of crops, and potatoes are the roots of crops. Crops take root in fertile soil, absorb nutrients from the earth, and contribute the essence that sustains many species of life on the earth.
In summary, both macroelements and trace elements play an important role in the growth, development and physical health of dogs. These elements exist in various food ingredients. As long as the ingredients are diversified in fresh homemade food, your dog will basically not suffer from a lack or excess of macro and trace elements. If it is not possible to diversify the food ingredients for various reasons, it is recommended to choose a suitable multivitamin and mineral supplement and add it to the homemade fresh food before feeding. Whether it is a lack or excess of these elements (especially trace elements), it is harmful to health. Too muchAnd, remember.
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