Zinc Deficiency in the Cat

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to produce Zn deficiency in, and to establish approximate Zn requirements of, the cat. In experiment 1, soy protein (SP)-based diets were fed for 8 months: diet 1, basal, without added Zn, 15 ppm; diet 2, basal, 15 ppm Zn plus 2% CaHPO4; and diet 3, basal with added Zn, 67 ppm. Gross Zn deficiency symptoms were not observed, although spermatogenesis in cats fed diets 1 and 2 was abnormal. There were no differences in food intake or growth rate between treatments. Mean plasma zinc levels (micrograms/100 ml) for cats fed diets 1, 2 and 3 were 55, 47 and 89, respectively. In experiment 2, the SP was washed with EDTA. Ten 8-week-old kittens were fed the following diets for 14 weeks: diet 4, SP without Zn, 0.7 ppm Zn; diet 5, containing 52 ppm Zn; or diet 6, an amino acid diet, 4.8 ppm Zn. Mean food intake (g/day) and weight gains (g/day) for cats fed diets 4, 5 and 6 were: 17.2, 0.4; 55.0, 19.5; and 31.5, 10.0, respectively. Mean plasma Zn levels (micrograms/100 ml) and liver Zn (ppm) for cats fed diet 4 had poor coats characterized by thinning and slow hair growth and scaliness of the skin and ulcerations of the buccal margins. The cat's requirement for zinc is probably between 15 ppm and 50 ppm.

The possible role of zinc in excessive shedding of hair in two Persian cats

“…Other skin disorders such as erythema, alopecia, pyoderma, scale, and crust had not shown in the studied cats (Watson 1998). Lowered zinc levels reported in this study are comparable to those found in research of Kane et al (1981). To this end, the monitoring of trace element concentrations especially with treatment opportunity may be helpful to clarify the reason of alterations in trace elements in cats with excessive shedding.…”

“…A poorly formulated cat food has been known to cause mineral deficiency in cats (Watson 1998). In kittens, dietary zinc deficiency was reported to cause thinning of the haircoat, slow hair growth, scaly skin, and ulceration of the buccal margins (Kane et al 1981). Normal zinc concentrations are 75-120 μg/dl, with values less than 46 μg/dl considered zinc absolute deficiency (Tilley and Smith 2007).…”

“…Very little information is available about zinc deficiency and excessive shedding of hair in the literature. It was reported that changing kittens from an adequate to a zinc-deficient diet resulted in a rapid decrease in food intake, body weight gain, and plasma zinc concentration (Kane et al 1981). In the northern hemisphere, many outdoor cats and dogs shed to varying degrees in spring and fall; indoor pets may shed all year long.…”

The ubiquitous role of zinc in health and disease

“…In the 1930s, it was discovered that zinc was essential for life, growth, and reproduction in animals. In the 1950s, the syndrome of porcine parakeratosis was attributed to zinc deficiency and studies were published on experimentally produced syndromes of zinc deficiency in dogs in 1963, 1 and in cats in 1981 2 . Minimum dietary requirements have been established and are continuing to be revised for zinc and other trace elements in dogs and cats 3,4…”

Vitamin and Mineral Requirements

“…It is important for normal carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and nucleic acid metabolism, and it is necessary for the maintenance of epidermal integrity, taste acuity, and immunological functions. [61][62][63] Clinical signs that are common to most species include growth retardation, abnormalities in hair and skin condition, gastrointestinal disturbances, and impaired reproductive performance. It is also a cofactor for ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerases, making it an important mineral for rapidly dividing cells, such as those found in the skin.…”