Today’s healthy dog requires many of the same essential minerals as a human, but in canine-friendly doses. That’s where having the right supplement comes into play for dogs. One of the trickiest essential minerals to get right is zinc. This is an extremely important element in many biological functions. However, if dogs get too little or too much of it, there can be problems. Finding that perfect balance requires a little forward-thinking to ensure your furry friend reaps the benefits of zinc in the best way possible for good health.
The Benefits of Zinc
Why do dogs need this mineral in the first place, though? It’s important for pet owners to understand that zinc is critical for proper body function, although the primary benefit is to the skin and coat. Dogs that fail to get enough through their diet can develop significant skin issues and other sensitivities. Other benefits offered by this essential mineral include:
- Immune system support
- Improved energy levels
- Better mood
In general, this nutrient is necessary for a dog’s overall health. Your dog receives a limited amount from food but is it enough? Adding a supplement that contains zinc is a practical way to ensure they are getting the necessary amounts.
Where to Find It
As critical as zinc is to canine health, it’s a mineral that is difficult to absorb from food. Many dog food products contain this mineral because they have meat and grains in them, but studies show that only between 5 to 40 percent of it is utilized. This has the potential to leave your dog with a deficiency and the health concerns that come with it, such as skin conditions.
NuVet Plus is cold processed, which allows the supplement to maintain its rich nutrients and increase the bioavailability of its ingredients. Supplementation can help by ensuring your dog gets an appropriate amount of absorb-able zinc and the benefits that come with this essential mineral. The benefits of adding a dietary supplement are illustrated on the NuVet YouTube channel.
How Much Does My Dog Need?
Your dog can not go without this essential mineral. By calling it an essential mineral, researchers are putting it into a completely different category. They flag zinc as something every dog needs to stay healthy and thrive. The daily zinc requirements differ based on the dog’s activity level. For example, a racing dog would need more than a household pet.
Finding the Balance
Dogs need zinc. It’s that simple, but they need it in the right quantities and from the right nutritional sources. The zinc acquired from none food sources can be harmful to your dog. Any metallic object that may contain this mineral represents a possible danger to dogs. A list of potentially dangerous none food household items to keep your eye on include:
- Batteries
- Screws
- Nuts
- Staples
- Nails
- Jewelry
Although zinc does offer significant benefit to canine health when ingested properly, chewing on these metallic items can be problematic. However, zinc from dietary sources is essential for your pet’s overall health. Without it, they can suffer from various health issues including issues with their skin. Finding that perfect nutritional balance is difficult from dog food alone because a dog doesn’t typically absorb zinc well from food.
Dietary supplements for pets offer a variety of nutritional benefits including increasing their zinc intake. Supplements pick up the slack when it comes to canine nutrition by adding extra essential ingredients to their diet without packing on more calories or fat. A proper dietary supplement mix includes essential minerals, like zinc, with other key nutritional elements such as:
- Antioxidants
- Amino acids
- Enzymes
- Vitamins
A supplement like NuVet Plus is designed to improve energy levels while helping to reduce the risks of health issues. That’s a win for both the dog and the owner.
Learn more about NuVet Labs® by visiting the NuVet Glassdoor page.