Nutrazinc Info

NUTRAZINC is the most economical source of dietary zinc available on the market!

This product is being used by most top sprint and distance mushers!

• Nutrazinc is a proven nutritional supplement for working dogs (sled dogs, hunting dogs, and herding dogs). It helps to promote tougher feet and healthier coats. Its use reduces the occurrence of splits and cracks in dog's feet, as well as toenail breakage.
• Nutrazinc also helps to toughen dog's pads and speeds up the healing process when an occasional foot problem does occur.
• Nutrazinc can be used as a supplement for show dogs, as it will keep their coats in top condition.
• Nutrazinc is extremely important for the proper function of a dog's immune system. It should be used as a treatment for almost any kind of skin disease. Its use speeds up post-surgery hair growth.
• Nutrazinc should also be fed as a dietary supplement to prevent zinc deficiency (also called Zinc Responsive Dermatosis), a common condition in northern breeds.

Zinc Deficiency:

Conditioned deficiencies of zinc occur in growing puppies fed dry dog foods that contain abundant fiber, phytin and calcium. This is the central component of the so-called “generic dog food disease”. The top component in most dry foods is corn. Corn reduces bioavailability of Zinc. This food ingredient not only contains poorly available Zinc, but it also reduces the availability of supplemental Zinc.

In contrast, the inherited defect in zinc absorption reported in northern breeds and Great Danes persists throughout life and requires the supplementation of a higher dose of zinc. Common signs of zinc deficiency in dogs are poor growth, lethargy, anorexia, hyperkeratotic footpads, erythema between the toes, and exudative, crusted skin lesions around the mouth and eyes. Marginal zinc deficiency may also contribute to reproductive inefficiency. Optimal performance during gestation and lactation may require up to three-times the maintenance requirement for dietary zinc.

Below are photos of a Siberian Husky suffering from ZRD before and after 6 weeks of Nutrazinc supplementation.

Nutrazinc comes in a powder form and is one of the highest-grade zinc compounds available for this purpose. It is the most readily available form of zinc that can be used for dogs. It is highly soluble and quickly absorbed in the dog's gut. The average dog's minimum daily zinc requirement is 50mg. The percent zinc in Nutrazinc is approximately 14.6%. One teaspoon of Nutrazinc weighs about 4.5 g. Thus, one level teaspoon contains approximately 657 mg of zinc or enough zinc for about 13.1 dogs/day, based on a minimum daily requirement of 50 mg per day.

Administering Instructions:

Maintenance daily dose for a dog of an average weight of 50 lbs. is 1/13 of a teaspoon. For dogs in active training, dogs with chronic foot, skin or coat problems, and for competitive show dogs, it is recommended to use twice the amount of the maintenance dose of Nutrazinc (2 teaspoons for 13 dogs /day if the average weight of one dog is about 50 lbs., or 1/8 of a teaspoon for 1 dog / day). For dogs with severe skin or coat problems, or acute zinc deficiency, the dose can even be tripled or quadrupled. Increased dosages can be given without fear of toxicity. It is not recommended to feed more than four times the required dose, as excessive zinc supplementation can result is copper deficiency. The best way to feed Nutrazinc is by putting it directly into the dog's food and mixing it in thoroughly just before feeding. It can also be fed by dissolving it in water, and dosing it into a dog's drinking water if a more precise dosage distribution is desired. For best results feed Nutrazinc year around.

Nutrazinc comes in 0.5 lbs., 1 lbs., 2 lbs., and 4 lbs. bottles. The two largest sizes are the most economical and are recommended for large kennels. A 2 lbs. jar will last a 30 dog kennel approximately 3 months. The one pound jar is recommended for small kennels and the half pound jar is recommended for single dog owners. The price of using Nutrazinc is about $0.01 per dog/day.

IMPORTANT! We do not recommend feeding Zinc Sulfate to your dog! Zinc Sulfate (and Zinc Oxide) is not bioavailable and it is not properly absorbed during the digestive process in dogs. It will not treat ZRD. Zinc contained in Zinc Sulfate and in Zinc Oxide (= inorganic Zinc sources) is rendered unavailable. Extra supplementation of these inorganic sources tends to cause digestive upsets such as diarrhea.