The Dog Food Project
We have to be, if we claim to be our dog's best friends, the kind of friend we would like for ourselves. - Suzanne Clothier
A better food makes a big difference!

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Minerals

Definition

Minerals are essential, inorganic compounds necessary for life. The body can not synthesize any of them, so dietary supplementation in proper balance is vital.

Minerals are divided into two groups, macrominerals and microminerals. Microminerals, also called "trace minerals" (iron, boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluoride, iodine, molybdenum, silicon, manganese, selenium and zinc), are present in the body only in very small quantities, macrominerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, potassium and sodium) are slightly higher in concentration. Since reactions occur between minerals in the body, oversupplementation of one can result in a deficiency of another, which may be harmful to your dog's health, especially during the growth stage.

While adding vitamins in their natural form is beneficial for your dog's health, it is very important that supplementation of minerals while feeding commercial dog foods should never be done without veterinary consultation. The health risks from excessive amounts are too severe.

Commercial foods have balanced mineral levels. If you are concerned about giving your dog the best possible nutrition, look for "chelated" or "sequestered" minerals in dog foods, they are digestible forms of minerals which are more easily absorbed by the body (3-10 times better) than minerals commonly supplied in other forms.Look for minerals including terms such as "chelated", "sequestered", "amino acid chelate", "amino acid complex", "proteinate" or "polysaccharide complex". Terms like "oxide", "sulfate" or "phosphate" generally indicate poorly absorbable feed grade supplements.

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Macrominerals | Microminerals