How Zinc plays a vital role in Healthy Dogs
- RFFDMSUK
- Sep 4, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Zinc plays a critical role in canine health, influencing everything from immune function to wound healing and protein synthesis. While this mineral is essential, maintaining the right balance is key—deficiency can lead to health issues, while excess intake can be harmful.
Let's explore why zinc matters, how to incorporate it into your dog’s diet, and what signs to watch for if levels are too low or too high.
The Benefits of Zinc for Dogs
🛡️ Boosting Immunity
✔️ Zinc activates white blood cells, helping the immune system fight infections and disease.
✔️ Supports faster recovery from illnesses.
🐾 Supporting Skin & Coat Health
✔️ Maintains skin hydration, elasticity, and barrier integrity.
✔️ Helps prevent dryness, itching, and hair loss.
🩹 Facilitating Wound Healing
✔️ Aids tissue regeneration and collagen production.
✔️ Promotes faster recovery from injuries.
🔄 Sustaining Reproductive Function
✔️ Essential for hormone regulation, sperm production, and ovulation.
✔️ Plays a key role in fertility and reproductive health.
Signs of Zinc Deficiency in Dogs
⚠️ Low zinc levels can lead to several health issues, including:
🔹 Skin & Coat Problems – Dry, flaky skin, sores, hair loss, excessive itching.
🔹 Delayed Wound Healing – Increased risk of infections and slow tissue repair.
🔹 Weak Immune System – Higher susceptibility to illnesses and longer recovery times.
🔹 Growth & Developmental Issues – Stunted growth, skeletal abnormalities in puppies.
🔹 Reproductive Challenges – Reduced fertility, irregular heat cycles.
🔹 Neurological Symptoms – Lethargy, tremors, behavioural changes, possible seizures.
Although zinc toxicity is rare, it can occur if non-food sources are consumed. If your dog eats something unsafe, contact your vet immediately.
Whole Food Sources of Zinc
🥩 Meat & Poultry
Beef, Pork, Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Rabbit, Goat, Ostrich, Buffalo, Egg
🐟 Seafood
Oysters (high in zinc), Shrimp, Salmon, Haddock, Sardines
🥬 Vegetables
Spinach, Mushrooms, Kale
🍓 Fruits
Avocado, Blackberries, Raspberries, Kiwi
🥛 Dairy Products
Kefir, Yogurt, Milk
🥜 Nuts & Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Cashews, Pine Nuts, Almonds
🌿 Herbal Sources
Alfalfa, Dandelion, Fennel Seed, Milk Thistle, Nettle, Parsley, Rosehips, Sage
💡 Important: Zinc from animal sources (meat, seafood) is more bioavailable than plant-based zinc. If your dog follows a specific dietary restriction, consult a holistic veterinarian or canine nutritionist to ensure their zinc intake is adequate.
Zinc-Responsive Dermatosis: Breed-Specific Considerations
Some breeds are more prone to zinc-responsive dermatosis, a condition affecting skin health.
🦮 At-Risk Breeds:
✅ Northern & Arctic Breeds – Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds
✅ Certain Terriers – Bull Terriers
Symptoms include scaling, crusting, and hair loss, often managed through zinc supplementation. Causes range from poor absorption to higher zinc needs during growth, pregnancy, or lactation.
🚨 Always consult a veterinarian before supplementing zinc—excessive intake can cause toxicity.
Zinc & Raw Feeding: A Natural Approach
Feeding a raw diet can naturally provide zinc, as meats and organs (liver & kidney) contain high levels of this mineral. If you haven't yet switched to a raw diet, please see our blog for guidance to do this. If you have and you suspect your dogs zinc levels need tweaking, please check their levels with a pro raw vet and consult with a 1 on 1 nutritionist.
Final Thoughts – Prioritising Your Dog’s Well-being
Zinc is essential for your dog’s health, supporting immunity, wound healing, skin health, and reproduction.
✔️ Monitor symptoms of deficiency.✔️ Include bioavailable zinc sources in their diet.✔️ Work with a vet to maintain optimal levels.
By ensuring a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, you can support your dog’s longevity and vitality. 🐶✨
References:
Zinc intoxication in dogs: 19 cases (1991–2003) in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Volume 230 Issue 8 () (avma.org)
RFFDMSUK Privacy Policy can be found here, our Statement of Transparency is here, and our Terms & Conditions here
As an Amazon Associate, RFFDMSUK earn from qualifying purchases #CommissionsEarned
