Zinc defiency in dogs, also known as ZRD (Zinc Responsive Dermatisis), can affect breeds like Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies who can be genetically predisposed to zinc malabsorption.
Dietary deficiencies can cause zinc defiency. Cheap or low quality dog food can have low zinc content, high levels of calcium or high levels of phosphates that can lower zinc absorption.
Some cheap dog food brands may simply not contain enough zinc. If your dogs food has high levels of calcium it can interfere with zinc absorption. This is more common in large breed puppies like Alaskan Malamutes.
Some breeds like malamutes and huskies can also be prone to zinc malabsorption due to genetic factors.
Frequent diarrhoea or inflammatory bowel disease can also impair zinc absorption (see digestive system)
As well as high levels of calcium or phosphates reducing zinc absorption, other nutritional factors can also reduce zinc absorption, such as fatty acids, high mineral levels like phosphorous and magnesium and some dairy products.
A good quality hypoallergenic food like Royal Canin or Purina Sensitive Skin could help. Also adding a probiotic to your dogs food like Purina Pro Plan Fortiflora can also help zinc deficiency. Nutrazinc or fish oil can also help if added to your dogs food.
Signs of zinc deficiency can be crusty or sore looking skin around the nose and mouth or around the eyes.
A number of things besides zinc in your dogs food can cause a flare up, such as age, stress, illness, bacterial infection or parasites.
