Few years back, while trying to control Rocco’s allergies, we were looking for the perfect diet that would allow him to gain body mass and then help him maintain his ideal weight. I wrote about our trials and tribulations in a previous post. For a short period of time we switched to a raw diet and that’s when we first learned that Huskies tend to be zinc deficient.
After doing some research, I found out that Huskies and Malamutes have difficulties absorbing zinc, and if under stress, fed a diet high in calcium or plant sources they may develop a skin condition known as zinc responsive dermatosis. The condition manifests itself through hair loss, scaling and crusting of the skin around the face, head, and legs. As well as lesions that can encircle the mouth, chin, eyes, and ears. The foot pads may be scaly and the coat is dull and dry. This condition can also affect puppies who are on zinc-deficient diets (source).
If you are feeding a well-balanced diet your dog is most likely getting enough zinc. However, if you have a Husky or a Malamute, and especially if they are under any sort of stress, it might be a good idea to supplement. The good news is that zinc is relatively non-toxic and over-supplementation is rare. You can speak with your veterinarian to find an appropriate zinc supplement or you can try increasing your dog’s diet in zinc rich foods.
Here are some foods that are rich in zinc and make for a healthy treat:
- Pumpkin seeds (also great as a natural de-wormer)
- Eggs ( I usually give Rocco one raw egg a week, together with the shell)
- Liver
- Bison meat or bison treats
There are of course many more, but these are the ones I feed Rocco.
Mom and Dad had 3 Sibes “before me”….like a long time “before me”…their breeder, in Canada, taught them to add Zinc as a supplement to the Sibes’ diet…and they boiled eggs, froze them and then once a week added the defrosted egg, and shell, to their meal. There is a lot about Sibes’ diets that not many know nor woo about…especially how to counteract Sibe specific cateracts…through diet. Mom and Dad were able to use diet to eliminate their male Sibe’s beginning Sibe cateracts…truly.
That is very interesting, Savannah! I agree, there is much to learn about diet that is specifically suited for Northern breeds, even for the doggies that don’t race 🙂 I would be very interested to learn more about the diet they used for cataracts!
This is great info, will certainly bear this in mind. Definitely an excuse for me to get some more liver cake – yummy!
I have never heard of this (of course, I don’t have either of those breeds, although they were on my short list). This is very interesting. I love the list of things that humans eat that also benefit our dogs. I always find that so interesting.
Pumpkin seeds sound so good.