Within the intricate tapestry of canine health, one mineral reigns supreme: zinc. Its influence spans critical functions, from fortifying immune resilience to expediting wound recovery and fuelling protein synthesis. Yet, the delicate equilibrium between scarcity and surplus is pivotal, for straying from it can unravel health gains. Prepare to uncover the profound impact of zinc on your dog's vitality and the imperative of orchestrating its levels for unparalleled well-being.
Benefits of Zinc:
Bolstering Immunity: Zinc acts as a catalyst for a robust immune response in dogs by promoting the production and activation of white blood cells. This vital mineral enables your pet's immune system to mount effective defences against infections and diseases.
Nurturing Skin and Coat Health: Zinc plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of your dog's skin barrier and supporting the health of their coat. Its presence in commercial dog foods underscores its significance in promoting skin hydration, elasticity, and overall dermatological well-being.
Facilitating Wound Healing: Zinc is intricately involved in the intricate process of wound repair and tissue regeneration. By stimulating cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis, correct zinc levels contribute to expedited wound closure and optimal tissue remodelling, fostering faster recovery from injuries.
Sustaining Reproductive Function: Within the realm of reproductive health, zinc is indispensable for the development and maintenance of reproductive organs in both male and female dogs. It influences hormone regulation, sperm production, and ovulation, thereby playing a pivotal role in fertility and reproductive success.
Insufficient zinc intake or improper zinc sources (it must be bioavailable) in dogs can lead to various health implications, including:
Skin and Coat Issues: Zinc deficiency is often associated with dermatological problems such as dry, flaky skin, alopecia (hair loss), and the development of crusty lesions or sores. Dogs may experience persistent itching, redness, and inflammation of the skin, leading to discomfort and secondary infections.
Impaired Wound Healing: Zinc deficiency can hinder the normal process of wound healing, causing delays in tissue repair and increasing the risk of infections. Wounds may heal slowly, and the formation of granulation tissue necessary for proper healing may be compromised.
Immune Dysfunction: Zinc is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. Inadequate zinc levels can weaken the immune response, making dogs more susceptible to infections, illnesses, and prolonged recovery times from diseases.
Growth and Developmental Abnormalities: Zinc is crucial for normal growth and development, particularly in puppies. A deficiency during critical growth periods can result in stunted growth, skeletal abnormalities, and developmental delays.
Reproductive Issues: Zinc deficiency may lead to reproductive problems in both male and female dogs. Males may experience reduced sperm production and fertility, while females may encounter irregular oestrous cycles, infertility, or complications during pregnancy.
Neurological Symptoms: Severe zinc deficiency can affect neurological function, leading to symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, tremors, and behavioural changes. In extreme cases, dogs may exhibit seizures or other neurological abnormalities.
Although zinc excess is rare, it can happen specifically where non-food sources are consumed or absorbed into the body. If your dog consumes something they shouldn’t, always consult with your vet or out of hours vet,
Whole Food Sources of Zinc:
Meat and Poultry: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Rabbit, Pork, Goat, Ostrich, Buffalo, Egg.
Seafood: Oysters (particularly high in zinc), Shrimp, Fish such as Salmon, Haddock, Sardine.
Vegetables: Spinach, Mushrooms, Kale
Fruits: Avocado, Blackberries, Raspberries, Kiwi
Dairy Products: Kefir, Yogurt, Milk
Nuts and Seeds: Pumpkin seeds (pepitas), Sesame seeds, Cashews, Pine nuts, Almonds
Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, milk thistle, mullein, nettle, parsley, rosehips, sage, sarsaparilla, skullcap, wild yam
Understanding that the absorption of zinc can fluctuate across various foods is crucial. Animal-derived zinc sources, like meat and seafood, offer zinc in a format more easily assimilated by the body than plant-based alternatives. If your dog adheres to specific dietary restrictions, it's imperative to consult a holistic veterinarian or a certified nutritionist to verify the adequacy of zinc levels in their diet. Ensuring the presence of sufficient zinc is fundamental to your dog's overall health and well-being.
Zinc-responsive dermatosis
While zinc deficiency isn't exclusive to specific dog breeds, certain breeds have a higher predisposition to a condition known as "zinc-responsive dermatosis" or "zinc-responsive dermatitis." This condition is frequently observed in Northern and Arctic breeds like Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and Samoyeds. Additionally, some terrier breeds, such as the Bull Terrier, may also exhibit a greater susceptibility to zinc-responsive dermatosis.
Zinc-responsive dermatosis manifests through various skin issues, including scaling, crusting, and hair loss, which can often be mitigated with zinc supplementation. It's essential to recognise that zinc deficiency in dogs can stem from multiple causes, such as inadequate dietary intake, impaired absorption, or heightened zinc requirements due to factors like growth, pregnancy, or lactation.
Should you suspect that your dog is experiencing a zinc deficiency or exhibiting skin problems associated with zinc, seeking veterinary consultation is paramount. Veterinarians can conduct thorough assessments to pinpoint the underlying cause of the symptoms and offer tailored interventions. These interventions may encompass dietary modifications or the addition of a specific zinc supplementation.
It's crucial to refrain from administering zinc supplements to dogs without professional oversight, as excessive zinc intake can precipitate adverse health consequences. Veterinary guidance ensures that interventions are appropriately calibrated to address the dog's specific needs while safeguarding against potential risks associated with zinc supplementation.
Diet
A raw dog food diet can serve as a natural source of zinc, as meats and organs, particularly liver and kidney, boast significant amounts of this essential mineral. However, it's vital to acknowledge that the zinc content in raw food can vary, and the bioavailability of zinc from animal sources will differ from plant-based alternatives.
While embracing a raw dog food diet can contribute to zinc intake, ensuring dietary balance to meet all of your dog's nutritional requirements is vital, with a diet rich in variety. Our blogs below can help you to swap to a raw diet, or ensure you are feeding all of the basics if you already feed raw, and should you still be concerned that your dog may need a more tailored plan there are a variety of fully qualified canine nutritionists (not affiliated to our group) who can help you on a more individualised basis:
Great independent nutritionists
Caroline from Canine Holistic Science Academy: canineholisticscienceacademy.com
Louise from Barnaby’s Happy Healthy Pets: barnabyspets.co.uk
Katie from The Pet Diet: thepetdiet.co.uk
Olivia from Batch Cook With Bailey (raw and cooked diet consults): olivia@batchcookwithbailey.co.uk
Studies:
Zinc intoxication in dogs: 19 cases (1991–2003) in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Volume 230 Issue 8 () (avma.org)