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RECOMMENDED ALLOWANCES FOR MINERALS DAILY SIGNS OF FUNCTIONS RECOMMENDED DEFICIENCY/ EXCESS ALLOWANCE* Calcium Phosphorus Magnesium Formation of bones and teeth; blood coagulation; nerve impulse transmission; muscle contraction; cell signaling Skeletal structure; DNA and RNA structure; energy metabolism; locomotion; acid-base balance Enzyme functions; muscle and nerve-cell membrane stability; hormone secretion and function; mineral structure of bones and teeth 1 g 0.75 g 150 mg Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism; significant decreases in bone mineral content, which can result in major skeletal abnormalities Different types of skeletal aberrations, especially in growing puppies of large breeds Reduced weight gain; poor appetite; bowing and swelling of forelimbs in puppies Reduction in weight gain, irritability, and convulsions in puppies; hyperextension of carpal joints and hind-leg paralysis later in life MINERALS Twelve minerals in the table are known to be essential nutrients for dogs. Calcium and phosphorus are crucial to strong bones and teeth. Dogs need magnesium, potassium, and sodium for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cell signaling. Many minerals that are present only in minute amounts in the body, including selenium, copper, and molybdenum, act as helpers in a wide variety of enzymatic reactions. Dogs can get too much or too little of a specific mineral in their diets. A deficiency of dietary calcium, for instance, causes a condition known as secondary hyperparathyroidism. Recognized clinically for many years in dogs fed meals consisting mainly of meat, this disease results in major bone loss, skeletal abnormalities, and pathological fractures. An excess of calcium, on the other hand, may also cause skeletal abnormalities, especially in growing large-breed puppies. 9 200 mg 1 g 300 mg 7.5 mg 1.5 mg 15 mg 1.2 mg 90 µg 220 µg *Daily needs for an adult dog weighing 33 pounds, consuming 1,000 Calories per day. g = grams; mg = milligrams; µg = micrograms Sodium Potassium Chlorine Iron Copper Zinc Manganese Selenium Iodine Acid-base balance; regulation of osmotic pressure; nerve impulse generation and transmission Acid-base balance; nerveimpulse transmission; enzymatic reactions; transport functions Acid-base balance; transfer of extracellular fluids across cell membranes Synthesis of blood components; energy metabolism Connective tissue formation; iron metabolism; blood cell formation; melanin pigment formation; myelin formation; defense against oxidative damage Enzyme reactions; cell replication; protein and carbohydrate metabolism; skin function; wound healing Enzyme functions; bone development; neurological function Defense against oxidative damage; immune response Thyroid hormone synthesis; cell differentiation; growth and development of puppies; regulation of metabolic rate Restlessness; increased heart rate, water intake, and hemoglobin concentration; dry and tacky mucous membranes Poor growth in puppies; paralysis of neck muscles and rear legs and general weakness later in life Reduced weight gain and weakness in puppies Poor growth; pale mucous membranes; lethargy; weakness; diarrhea At acute levels, dangerous oxidative reactions that lead to gastrointestinal and other tissue damage Loss of hair pigmentation in puppies; anemia Poor weight gain; vomiting; skin lesions No studies of deficiency in dogs Anorexia; depression; breathing discomfort; coma; muscular degeneration Enlargement of thyroid glands; dry, sparse hair coat; weight gain Excessive tearing, salivation, and nasal discharge; dandruff 10 UNDERWEIGHT IDEAL OVERWEIGHT UNDERWEIGHT OR OVERWEIGHT? Your dog is not getting enough to eat if you can easily see its ribs, vertebrae, and pelvic bones, feel no fat on the bones, and possibly notice some loss of muscle mass. If chronically underfed, adult dogs may experience impaired ability to nurse young and perform work, and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections and parasites; puppies may be stunted in their growth; adult dogs may develop osteoporosis. Your dog is at an ideal weight if you can easily feel its ribs. The waist should be easily observed behind the ribs when viewed from above. An abdominal tuck is evident when viewed from the side. Your dog is overweight if you cannot feel its ribs, see fat deposits over its back and the base of its tail, discern no waist behind the ribs when viewed from above, and see no abdominal tuck in profile. Obesity occurs in one out of four dogs in western societies. Its incidence increases with age and is more common in neutered animals. Health risks include diabetes and osteoarthritis. 37491_Dog_P01_16 07/24/06 4:47 PM Page 10 11 FEEDING PRACTICES Q: Does my dog need to eat meat? A: Because dogs are descended from omnivores, they are not strict meat eaters. They are remarkably adaptable to a wide range of ingredients, texture, and form in terms of what they will eat. Though many dogs may prefer animal-based protein, they can thrive on a vegetarian diet. Regardless of whether the protein comes from plant or animal sources, normal adult dogs should get at least 10% of their total calories from protein. Older dogs appear to require somewhat more protein to maintain their protein reserves, perhaps as much as 50% more. Q: How much fiber is good for my dog? A: Fiber in the diet is probably good for overall gastrointestinal health and may help some dogs keep their weight down. The typical diet of normal adult dogs contains between 2.5 and 4.5% fiber. However, the fiber content of some “diet” dog foods may be higher. This may allow the dog to feel full without consuming too many calories for effective weight control. Diets high in fiber also may help in the management of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and may improve large intestine function. On the other hand, too much fiber in the diet can decrease the digestibility of other important nutrients and result in loose stools, frequent defecation, and reduced palatability of the dog food. Wheat bran and barley products are high in fiber. Conversely, dog