Copper Supplements for Dogs

Dog Breeds and the Danger of Copper Supplements
We’re discussing medications and how they affect dogs of different breeds. We looked at the tranquilizer Acepromazine and the heart medication Pimobendan and which breeds should not have these medications. Now, let’s look at supplements that contain copper because some breeds should not have these supplements.

Copper Is Found In Balance With Other Minerals In Nature
In nature, there are small amounts—but a wide variety—of minerals contained in meat and plants. Some of the minerals actually compete for absorption so that a large amount of one mineral, such as copper, is never absorbed. In supplements, this competition and balance is lost because an arbitrarily chosen amount of mineral is added and not all minerals and vitamins that naturally occur are included. Thus, feeding a vitamin and mineral supplement rather than a whole food supplement can encourage an imbalance. Imbalances make dogs sick, especially if the minerals from the supplements are stored in the liver. One of the lethal mineral imbalances is caused by copper.

Dog Breeds That Should Not Have Copper Supplements
Although all dogs need copper, there are some breeds that lack the enzymes to move copper from the liver to the cells. If supplements containing copper are given, the rate at which the liver swells with copper is quite rapid. Eventually the liver is so full of copper that the liver fails. Because liver activities are essential for maintaining life, liver failure causes death.

Among the breeds especially prone to develop copper hepatopathy (hepato=liver & pathy=disease or pathology) are the Bedlington Terrier, Skye Terrier, Westie, and Doberman Pinscher. New information suggests several other breeds, including the Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever, may also have genetic inclination to develop copper storage disease and hepatopathy. To protect your pet, don’t give vitamin and mineral supplements—only whole food supplements.

Health Problems Suggesting Liver Failure--These Dogs Should Not Have Copper Supplements
Take precautions to decease copper in the food if your dog
· has any tendency to liver disease, such as cancer or hepatiis,
· is on medications that stress the liver, such as prednisone,
· has a history of elevated liver enzymes (SAP, ALT, or ALP) or
· has jaundice.

Avoiding High Sources of Copper
To decrease copper in the food and water don’t use copper pots for preparing dog food and don’t give water that has run through copper pipes. Avoid high copper foods including brewers yeast, organ meats, dried beans, and avocado. Instead feed low-copper foods, such as white meat from chicken and turkey, beef, eggs, oats and rice.