Copper Sulfate In Dog Food

Copper sulfate is the leading source of dietary copper in commercial pet food.

Copper sulfate in dog food.

Copper sulfate is naturally occurring as chalcanthite. Copper sulphate in dog food dogs need copper but they cannot make it themselves so it must be taken in through the diet. Research needs to be done to make sure that the current levels of copper proteinate are safe. However any mineral even the sodium that makes up common table salt can be toxic in excessive amounts.

To give enough amount of copper dogs need to eat food contains of copper. Within the eu copper sulphate is classified as harmful and dangerous to the environment as well as being listed as an irritant. The important note is how many copper used in the dog food because too many copper can harm the dogs. Copper sulfate is a very common and effective copper source used in petfoods.

According to the official 2015 aafco publication 2 a dog food must contain at not less than 7 3 mg of copper 3 per each kilogram of dog food. I think there needs to be more research to establish safe levels of copper proteinate. Copper deficiency is extremely unlikely if a dog eats a nutritionally balanced diet. Copper sulfate is added to dog foods to supplement copper a crucial trace mineral that supports your dog s brain heart kidneys and bone health.

Copper sulfate can accumulate in the liver of your dog and lead to toxic overdose so it is best to avoid this ingredient as a source of copper. I think copper sulphate should be banned from dog foods and only copper proteinate allowed. These are not the sort of things you want to see on the side of any pet food bag. What is copper sulfate.

There have been some recurrent concerns expressed to customer service hotlines and on some enthusiast web sites that copper sulfate is toxic and that it attacks the heart liver and kidneys and that it is moderately poisonous these folks are asking that this chemical sounding name that is near the bottom of the ingredient list be removed. Carrageenan is an additive used to keep dog food moist. Some food manufacturers choose the safest way by changing the copper sulfate into chelated copper or copper proteinate. They are very concerned that we are being unwise in our use.

Although all dog foods naturally contain a certain amount of copper from the raw ingredients additional copper is routinely added to ensure there is enough for the dog s requirements. The official maximum for copper is currently 250 mg. Problems are most often associated with copper excess not generally from an improperly formulated diet but instead due to inborn errors of metabolism that eventually cause too much copper to accumulate in the liver. Although all dog foods naturally contain a certain amount of copper from the raw ingredients additional copper is routinely added to ensure there is enough for the dog s requirements.

Chelated copper is a good option because it is easy to absorb and meet the need of your lovely dogs. According to the aafco a dog food must contain at least 7 3 mg kg of dog food.