How to Spot Canine or Feline Magnesium Deficiency

Just how vital is magnesium for your pet? Very, it turns out.

If your dog or cat is experiencing muscle spasms, seizures, heart trouble, anxiety, lethargy, or GI or urinary upsets, a magnesium deficiency could be the culprit.

A balanced diet is important in maintaining overall health. Insufficient levels of magnesium in a poor diet can cause complications that even result in death. But nutritional deficiencies are easily manageable with diet changes and supplements.

Magnesium, an element found in the universe after a star explodes, also circulates within the body. Its calming effects on anxious individuals are impressive, but it also has internal calming qualities.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

cat eating

Adding magnesium to the diet can soothe your cat's urinary tract to prevent the build up of struvite crystals. Milk of magnesia is a common supplement to avoid constipation in dogs and cats by acting as a laxative.

Joint pain can also be improved with magnesium-rich diets. Topical sprays and lotions are available to lubricate joints from the outside. For internal treatment, EverPup is a popular, reliable vitamin and mineral blend that can help replenish vital nutrients lacking in your pet's diet.

But most important is to address the underlying issue, which might entail a diet change. Pet-approved foods high in magnesium include bone meal, beans, leafy greens, fish, pumpkin, and squash. Many commercial pet diets are lacking magnesium-rich foods in their ingredients making it even more important to provide supplements.

Even meat-based brands might lack the bone material, which is where magnesium is found. Organs and muscles have a reasonable concentration of magnesium as well. Kibble is often composed of meat byproducts rather than the part of the meat that has the "good stuff."

Avoid giving your pet toxic human foods high in magnesium, such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and wheat or gluten products.

The recommended daily value of magnesium is 150 mg for dogs and 50 mg for cats.

EverPup Ultimate Daily Dog Supplement with Glucosamine

WATCH NOW: Zuke's Power Bones Are for Active Dogs