Iron for Dogs: How It Works for Your Pet’s Well-Being
You’ve probably read that iron for dogs is essential for their healthy life, but how exactly does it work? Your dog’s nutritional health is based on acquiring appropriate levels of nutrients from six critical categories. These are water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals, and vitamins.
Minerals, for example, are relatively simple molecules compared to other nutrients, which can be large and complex. Mineral nutrition difficulties include:
- the quantity of each mineral in the diet;
- the right balance of all minerals;
- the bioavailability of minerals in the dog’s food.
Minerals have several roles in the body, including bone and cartilage development, enzymatic activities, fluid balance, oxygen transfer in the blood, proper muscle and nerve function, and hormone generation. Although certain minerals operate independently of others, a dog cannot be adequately fed unless all of the minerals are supplied in sufficient proportions.
Any mineral supplementation to an otherwise balanced diet might cause imbalances and potentially impair an animal’s nutritional status. An imbalance or decreased amount of a mineral can cause or contribute to a disease or illness.
For example, the total body content of iron is small, but it plays a central role in life processes. An iron deficit or excess can cause a variety of illnesses or ailments. So it is essential to monitor the amount of iron in the dog’s diet.
Today we will explore the ways that iron helps with your pet’s well-being and what can cause its low or high concentrations in the body of your puppy. You’ll also learn why iron vitamins for dogs have such a huge impact on their lives.
Check out our Nutrition Strength Iron for Dogs here.
Table of Contents:
- What Are the Main Functions of Iron in Dogs?
- How to Ensure a Good Iron Supply for Your Dog?
- Why Does Iron Matter for Dogs?
- What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia for Dogs?
- What Are the Signs of Iron Insufficiency Anemia?
- How to Treat Iron Insufficiency Anemia in Dogs?
- What Happens if Your Dog Has an Iron Overdose?
- The Takeaway
- Nutrition Strength Iron for Dogs
What Are the Main Functions of Iron in Dogs?
Let’s first start with the main functions of this micronutrient in dogs. Iron is required by almost all living creatures for a variety of metabolic activities. The circulatory system of a dog cannot work well without iron.
In the form of heme, it is vital to oxygen transportation. It plays a paramount role in maintaining and supplying it to the peripheral tissues.
Iron aids in the formation of red blood cells and is a component of several enzymes, including cytochromes, which are required for energy generation and drug processing. The liver, which produces iron transport proteins, has the most non-functional iron storage, either ferritin or hemosiderin.
In general, there are two types of iron. It occurs in two forms: reduced ferrous (Fe2+) and oxidized ferric (Fe3+). That is the consequence of an electron donation or receive. Dietary iron is absorbed mainly in the duodenum.
Iron reserves in the body are closely managed to deliver appropriate iron for cellular demands while avoiding toxicity from excess. The body lacks a method to remove excess iron. Enterocyte efflux inhibits intestinal iron uptake while maintaining homeostasis.
Hepcidin, a recently discovered hormone generated by hepatocytes, regulates iron efflux. When iron stocks are sufficient or high, hepcidin is released. It binds to intestinal ferroportin, triggering ferroportin internalization and destruction.
Because ferroportin levels are low, dietary iron is retained in the enterocyte and removed by shedding. When iron reserves are depleted, hepcidin synthesis and secretion are reduced, resulting in increased iron efflux from enterocytes into the blood.
The iron overload is one of the most complex processes in mammals. However, it is regulated extremely delicately by homeostatic mechanisms. It is one of the most paramount for the good existence not only of your pet but also of yourself.
How to Ensure a Good Iron Supply for Your Dog?
The dietary iron requirement for adult dogs is estimated at 80 mg/kg dry matter. Due to their rapid development, it is higher in pups. Inadequate intake is uncommon, particularly in nursing animals resulting in low iron content in milk.
In dogs given commercial pet meals, abnormal dietary iron consumption does not develop. But that can rarely occur with home-cooked and vegetarian diets without appropriate iron supplements for puppies.
Iron can be found in small amounts in all kinds of food and even inside some plants and sea creatures. All animal protein sources contain small amounts of iron. Raw meat, for instance, has a 3 percent iron content, while cooked meats have a much higher iron content.
Other iron-rich foods include fish, plants, and some sea creatures. Other sources of iron include dairy products and plants rich in vitamin C or via ingestion of certain.
The main thing is to consume adequate dietary iron from a range of meals throughout the year. The body can only absorb around 1 gram of dietary iron each day, resulting in a tiny quantity of stored iron in the body. When the iron content in your dog’s diet is too low, he will start to exhibit signs of iron deficiency.
We can also give iron pills for dogs. This specific intake depends on the weight of your puppy. The amount of iron intake will also depend on whether your dog has a deficiency or is simply trying to increase its daily intake.
By way of example, let’s say your puppy weighs 2 kilograms. If you feed him 5 milligrams of iron, your puppy is already ingesting more than the necessary amount. It has reached its maximal absorption. But as to the type of pill, you should discuss it with your veterinarian first.
Why Does Iron Matter for Dogs?
Dogs are naturally carnivores, which means that iron is vital for sustaining their physiological functions. Here are some of the ways in which iron benefits dogs:
- Iron plays a paramount role in their growth, development, and reproduction.
- The formation of red blood cells requires iron. Without it, they could not perform their crucial functions in the body.
- The accumulation of iron at the cellular level aids in cell production and helps to maintain healthy muscle mass, bone structure, and other organ tissues.
- Iron also helps protect against free radical damage that can trigger cancer development.
One of the most prevalent dietary inadequacies in canine nutrition is iron insufficiency. It is more common in puppies, but it can affect adult dogs as well. So that is why we decided to take a general look at the conditions with an abnormal concentration of iron. That would be helpful if you have a dog at home or you are planning to have one.
What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia for Dogs?
When the body is deficient in iron, erythrocytes do not develop as they should. The absence of iron causes the cells generated by the bone marrow to be overly tiny and deficient in oxygen-carrying properties.
In adult dogs, this condition is usually caused by different types of blood loss. It is essential to recognize iron-deficiency anemia because the underlying disease can be life-threatening. This condition does not occur until tissue stores of iron have been depleted. Causes of chronic external blood loss include:
- Ectoparasitism;
- Endoparasitism;
- Hematuria;
- Epistaxis;
- Hemorrhagic skin pathology;
- Coagulopathy;
- Thrombocytopenia;
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Primary gastrointestinal illness, such as a benign or malignant tumor, ulceration, or arteriovenous fistula, can result in gastrointestinal bleeding. One of the causes might be ulcerogenic medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.
Also, secondary to systemic diseases such as renal and hepatic diseases, bleeding disorders, and hypoadrenocorticism will lead to anemia. Nursing animals are more vulnerable to iron deficiency anemia because of reduced body iron reserves, higher needs, and decreased intake from a milk-based diet. Iron malabsorption will arise after surgical excision of the whole duodenum.
Iron deficiency anemia can be induced iatrogenically through excessive phlebotomies of blood donor animals, as a regular blood donation of 450 mL removes approximately 200 mg of iron from the body. Finally, iron deficiency anemia in smaller animals can be caused by repeated phlebotomies for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. The phlebotomy volume should not exceed 1 percent of the animal’s body weight each week.
What Are the Signs of Iron Insufficiency Anemia?
Based on the underlying cause, signs and symptoms of anemia in dogs may vary. However, because iron deficiency anemia develops over time, many dogs adapt and compensate for even the most severe anemia. They show no significant clinical indications. Clinical signs solely due to anemia do not occur until anemia is severe, and can include:
- pale gums;
- lethargy;
- decreased exercise tolerance;
- weakness;
- weight loss;
- retarded growth;
- generalized malaise;
- dark or black stools;
- loss of appetite;
- swelling in the jaw or face;
- vomiting;
- rapid breathing or fast pulse;
- decreased growth rate.
Clinical symptoms appear to be caused not just by anemia, but also by a shortage of other iron-containing proteins. Such are myoglobin, cytochrome c, and metabolic enzymes. Melena, hematuria, or bleeding from other places may be detected by the owners or during the examination.
How to Treat Iron Insufficiency Anemia in Dogs?
If you Google “treatments for anemia in dogs,” you’ll probably get much information and views. Your veterinarian will begin by treating the underlying illness. It must be treated as soon as possible. Your veterinarian may offer diagnostic tests based on your dog’s history and present symptoms.
Diagnostics may be advised based on your dog’s current symptoms and history. These may include everything from a complete blood count to determining how anemic your dog is. You can evaluate the properties of erythrocytes.
To check organ function and sugar levels, chemistry tests may be conducted. Specialized tests can also be performed to aid in the detection of an underlying infectious condition.
Preventing additional blood loss is one of the main concepts of treating animals with iron-deficient anemia. You should correct the anemia if severe and initiate iron supplementation with iron tablets for dogs.
Finally, you have to address the underlying disease. Animals with severe anemia may not show any clinical indications, but they may rapidly decompensate after being seen in the clinic. Thus, they should be handled carefully.
Your veterinarian can propose an appropriate course of therapy once the reason has been discovered through diagnostic tests. That may include specific iron supplements for anemic dog or other ways to exclude the underlying cause. One or more of the following therapies could be suggested:
- immunosuppressive drugs;
- deworming or parasite medications;
- blood transfusion;
- bone marrow transfusion;
- intravenous fluids;
- surgery;
- antibiotics;
- change to existing medications;
- potassium phosphate supplements;
- gastrointestinal medication.
In all cases, a canine iron supplement is needed, and you should think about that.
What Happens if Your Dog Has an Iron Overdose?
Iron is a potent oxidant that can enter into reactions that include the formation of free radicals, potentially altering gene expression and contributing to cancer development. In addition, iron may accelerate neuronal cell death in the brain through the production of hydroxyl radicals.
Iron overdose in dogs is classified into three types. They are subacute, chronic, and peracute. Let’s take a look at each one of them:
Subacute Iron Overdose
This form of iron excess is usually caused by the dog eating something it shouldn’t, such as:
- fertilizer/pesticides;
- human vitamins and pharmaceuticals;
- oxygen absorber packets in bags of dry foods such as beef jerky.
Within six hours after consumption, dogs will exhibit indications of gastrointestinal discomfort, notably bloody feces. Symptoms may appear to improve between 6 and 24 hours after consumption. Left untreated, the iron overdose can cause severe, potentially life-threatening symptoms within five days.
That is seen especially if your dog ingested large amounts of iron (more than 60 mg of iron per kg). Consult your veterinarian right away if you detect any of the following symptoms:
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- bloody stool;
- lethargy;
- fever;
- excess panting;
- tremors;
- low blood pressure.
Gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal blockage might occur up to six weeks following intake.
Chronic Iron Overdose
Dogs who eat items containing small amounts of iron for a long period may develop chronic iron overdose. Long-term exposure can induce hemochromatosis, a condition in which excess iron accumulates in the tissues. That can result in organ damage and scarring or thickening of the tissues.
Peracute Iron Overdose
Iron overdose can develop in rare cases as a result of intravenous therapy for iron deficiency. Clinical symptoms of acute overdose will arise fast, often within minutes after therapy.
In addition to the symptoms listed above, signs of peracute overdose resemble a severe allergic reaction and may also include discoloration of the skin near the injection site.
The Takeaway
Since the body cannot store iron, the balance of input and outflow must be monitored. The liver regulates blood iron levels, and extra iron is expelled in the bile.
When the body does not need much iron for new red blood cells, much of it binds tightly to transferrin and is delivered to cells in an inactive form to be stored until needed. Because of this mechanism, there is a lag time before changes in dietary intake show up in the blood.
Elevated iron levels can be a sign of several diseases and disorders. So a complete blood count should be included in the initial evaluation of any dog presenting with signs of anemia.
If an underlying disease is identified, appropriate management depends on the cause of the condition. Iron supplements for dogs may be essential for some circumstances.
In other cases, it may be necessary to treat the disease, causing the anemia with treatment directed towards correcting it. In any case, you must be extremely careful.
Observe your pet for symptoms associated with higher or lower iron levels. At the first doubt, be sure to consult your veterinarian.
Nutrition Strength Iron for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Iron for Dogs here.
Nutrition Strength’s Iron for Dogs chewable supplement is formulated with with carefully chosen ingredients, which have been extensively studied and shown to promote your dog’s blood health and help them with hemoglobin formation and the production of red blood cells. Iron is an essential mineral, which is associated with hemoglobin in blood and is responsible for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
A great way to support your dog’s well-being, our premium iron supplements for dogs could benefit your furry friends by helping to:
- Promote healthy liver function.
- Stimulate red blood cell formation.
- Boost oxygen supply.
- Strengthen anemic dogs.
- Support energy and vitality.
Our premium iron pills for dogs is formulated to help ensure that your dog receives sufficient levels of this essential mineral, whose deficiency has been shown in studies to be associated with iron deficiency anemia, which leads to an increase in red blood cells oxidative stress.
Studies have also shown that supplementation of vitamin C, which is a key ingredient of our iron tablets for dogs, and higher blood levels of vitamin C are linked with lower blood pressure. Furthermore, vitamin C protects the organism against damage from free radical.
Folate, which is a water-soluble B vitamin and is also known as folic acid and vitamin B9, is essential for red blood cells to form and grow. A folate shortage can lead to a folate-deficiency anemia, a decrease in red blood cells.
Vitamin B12 is yet another water-soluble B vitamin, which is needed for proper red blood cell formation, as well as for neurological function and DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 also helps to keep a type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia at bay.
Image source: Wikimedia / Tom Newby.
