By Royal Canin Scientific Communications

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For the healthiest skin and hair, the body needs certain minerals. Zinc, copper, and iodine are nutrients that affect coat quality. Zinc works in concert with linoleic acid to provide the sheen for the coat. A deficiency leads to a dull coat and excess scaling of the skin. Copper is a mineral that is used in the formation of color. If the copper level is too low, discoloration occurs. Iodine is used by the thyroid gland, and a deficiency results in dry and brittle hair.

Not all mineral sources are equal. Some ingredient sources of mineral are more absorbable than others. There are many complex interactions between these nutrients, and their chemical form dictates how easily they are absorbed. When zinc, copper, and iodine are added to the diet in an organic form (also known as "chelated" minerals) they are more easily absorbed and utilized by the body. How do you tell if a mineral is in chelated form? Commonly, they end with a like term "proteinate" (Zinc proteinate, for example).

Minerals are very important for coat health. By using a diet with chelated minerals, the nutrients in the food can be absorbed better and used for beautiful hair and skin.