The Pet Health & Nutrition Center Q&AAnswer
Sep 23, 2022 - 09:53 AM
Zinc and manganese are not nutrients typically tested for in a nutritional analysis, so we do not have these figures. Both of these are essential trace elements and also considered micronutrients, which means they are needed by the body in very small amounts. Often these nutrients are obtained in sufficient quantities in a healthy diet, though some medical conditions can contribute to deficiencies. You mentioned a raw diet, which is great, and meat is a great source of zinc (as are the glandulars found in our Daily Multi Plus). Manganese can be obtained by adding oatmeal, legumes and green leafy vegetables to the diet and is found in some of the herbs in our Daily Multi Plus. We like to obtain nutrition from whole food sources for the best health. Since the two minerals you mentioned are trace minerals, they can easily be over-supplemented, which has its own drawbacks. How do you know that your dog needs more of these minerals without testing? The only way to be sure that additional amounts of these minerals are needed is by getting a Hair Tissue Analysis which will provide your dog's levels of certain important nutritional elements like zinc and manganese. A safe way to add additional trace elements to the diet is to use a natural fulvic mineral supplement like one from Vital Earth. Just add this to our Daily Multi Plus and you will be good to go. However, the Hair Tissue Analysis would still be a good idea if you want to be absolutely certain additional amounts of these trace minerals are needed.
