This study evaluated whether the source of dietary trace minerals (zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and selenium) could affect healthy adult dogs’ mobility, inflammation, and overall health during an exercise regimen. In this experiment, 40 Labrador Retrievers were fed either a diet including traditionally sourced inorganic minerals (ING) or an amino acid complexed organic source (TMC) for 9 wk, during which dogs underwent increasingly strenuous running challenges. Dogs maintained healthy weights on both diets, although they lost weight throughout the study due to exercise. Skin and coat health showed no differences between the groups. Mobility measures were improved in the TMC group, with certain questionnaires showing improvement in the ability to exercise. In addition, gait analysis showed that the TMC group had better left-right leg symmetry during movement, suggesting improved balance and mobility. Blood analyses showed that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a key signal for muscle recovery and regeneration, increased in TMC dogs after intense exercise but not those fed ING, suggesting differences in recovery or inflammation. Overall, this study demonstrates that an amino acid complexed mineral source may offer benefits for mobility and exercise performance in active dogs.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.