Effect of Supplemental Trace Mineral Source on Haircoat and Hair Loss in Adult Cats

Trace minerals (TMs) are pivotal for skin health and haircoat quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of organic TMs, in the form of lysine and glutamic acid-complexed TMs (Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe), on feline hair growth and haircoat characteristics. Cats (mean 8.4 yr) were fed a Control diet (inorganic TM, sulfates) for 15 days before being assigned to treatment diets for 90 days. Treatments were Control (n = 20) or lysine and glutamic acid-complexed TM (Zinpro Corp. Eden Prairie, MN, USA) sources (TMC-LG; n = 20), formulated at iso-levels (100 ppm Zn, 15 ppm Mn, 12 ppm Cu, 80 ppm Fe). At the beginning of the test period (day 0), an area was shaved to evaluate hair growth on days 45 and 90, in addition to haircoat characteristics and hair loss. At day 45 (diet × day, p = 0.02), cats fed TMC-LG tended to have 0.023 g less shed hair compared to Control cats (p = 0.08). Similarly, dander scores differed at day 45 (diet × day, p = 0.02), with TMC-LG (0.66) cats having more favorable scores compared to Control (1.05; p = 0.03). There were no significant differences between treatments at day 90. Cats fed TMC-LG had a transient improvement in hair loss and dander scores at day 45 compared to the Control over the 90-day trial.