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I recently started adding trace mineral drops (and boron) to my dogs' water dishes (and my water bottle). The concept of trace minerals was first brought to my attention by Rodney Habib. And the discussion came back during a recent episode of The Alternative Dog Moms.
Why Trace Minerals?
As I understand it, our soil is depleted of minerals. After a crop has been harvested, it's important to enrich the soil before planting again. But this isn't happening consistently for crops that go into the human food chain. The decrease in nutrients in our soil has led to a deficiency in grass, crops, and the animals we eat.
There are two types of minerals:
- macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium), all of which are covered in my dogs' diet
- trace minerals (iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, and selenium), which are only needed in small amounts and, in my experience, more apt to be deficient
The above minerals are covered in my dogs' diet, but is it enough?
The liver and spleen are rich in iron. Oysters and mussels are rich in zinc and manganese. Kelp is rich in iodine. Organ meat and fish are rich in copper. And several proteins are rich in selenium (pork, beef, turkey, fish, and eggs, to name a few).
So, if the trace minerals are covered in the foods I already feed my dogs, why am I adding more? It goes back to the soil. Although many foods are rich in macrominerals and trace minerals, the amounts have been depleted over the decades. So, are my dogs getting what they need? Could minor health issues (arthritis, allergies, gut issues) be due to these deficiencies?
Signs of Deficiences in Trace Minerals
In my research, I found the signs of a trace mineral deficiency include:
- digestive issues, constipation, bloating, diarrhea
- decreased immune system
- irregular heartbeat
- loss of appetite
- muscle cramping
- nausea and vomiting
- numbness or tingling in the extremities
- poor concentration
- anemia, weakness, or tiredness
I see several of these symptoms with my dogs, but not at levels that raise concern. Plus, I've had my dogs tested, and they don't have any deficiencies, according to ParsleyPet – so why add more? Because I don't believe anyone knows exactly what my dogs need. Because I balance over time, I feel that a few drops of trace minerals in their water dish is beneficial.
Adding Trace Minerals to the Diet
I add three to four drops of a liquid trace mineral supplement to my dogs' water dishes, along with a capful of boron and a capful of colloidal silver. I also add them to my water.
I'm going easy to avoid causing harm because too much of a good thing isn't a good thing…
- too much iron can lead to constipation and block zinc and copper absorption
- too much zinc can lead to nausea, suppress the immune system, and create iron and copper imbalances
- too much selenium and lead to digestive issues
- too much manganese can lead to neurological issues
- too much iodine can lead to issues with the thyroid
Benefits of Boron
Boron offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits while helping the body process macrominerals. I'm adding boron to the diet because it…
- reduces inflammation
- reduces arthritis pain
- helps the body better absorb calcium and magnesium
- improves focus
- balances hormones
- strengthens bones
- improves muscle mass
- improves gut health
- reduces yeast overgrowth/infection
- improves inflammation
- reduces allergy symptoms
Side Effects of Trace Minerals and Boron
First, I want to clarify that I'm talking about a natural mineral; I'm not referring to borax, an ingredient in cleaning products.
While side effects aren't common, especially in the amounts I'm consuming (and feeding to my dogs), if too much is added to the diet, there can be side effects. The initial things I'm keeping an eye out for include:
- gut health
- diarrhea
- nausea
- skin issues
- anxiety
Again, I'm only adding a few drops of trace minerals and a capful of boron to my dogs' water. It's only been a few weeks, so I haven't noticed any of the benefits…yet.
Actual dosages:
Trace Minerals – 1 drop per 5 lbs of body weight for the pet supplement. I disagree with this amount and think it's far too much for raw fed dogs. Plus, the trace minerals liquid supplement I use has a strong taste, and adding 12-14 drops would be too much for my dogs.
Boron – 1 teaspoon (or 3 mg) daily. I wasn't able to find dosage information specific to weight for dogs. Boron doesn't have much of a taste.
I only add drops once daily when I refresh my dogs' water dishes (two).
Products I Give to My Dogs
I'm using the following products:
- Trace Minerals Research, Concentrace Trace Mineral Drops – Amazon
- Boron – from Long Living Pets
