Evaluation of mineral digestibility and physiological status in adult dogs fed an organic mineral-based diet

The daily requirement for minerals is minor; nevertheless, they are essential for the metabolism, growth, and reproduction of dogs. Therefore, European Pet Food Industry Federation, Nutrient Research Council, and Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommend minimum levels of essential minerals in pet food. This study examined the potential availability and safety of organic minerals in adult dogs. Five-year-old, neutered female beagle dogs were fed an inorganic (IMD) or organic (OMD) mineral-based diet twice daily for two weeks each in a crossover design. The IMD included Ca(IO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>, FeSO<sub>4</sub>, MnSO<sub>4</sub>, ZnSO<sub>4</sub>, and CuSO<sub>4</sub>; the OMD included Ca(IO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>, glycine-chelated Fe (Fe-Gly), Mn (Mn-Gly), Zn (Zn-Gly), and Cu (Cu-Gly). The experimental diets were provided in an amount individually estimated by the maintenance energy requirement equation proposed by AAFCO, and water was provided <italic>ad libitum</italic>. No significant differences in food and energy intake, body weight, body condition score, and fecal score were observed between the IMD and OMD groups. The OMD group had significantly higher mineral (K, P, Na, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) and nutrient (organic matter, dry matter, nitrogen-free extract, crude protein, and crude ash) digestibility than the IMD group. All parameters of complete blood count remained within the normal physiological range, despite significant differences in some parameters between these two groups. Therefore, OMD may positively influence nutritional metabolism by improving mineral and nutrient digestibility without negatively affecting body weight, body condition score, and digestive and physiological parameters in adult dogs.