Do you live with or breed Brachycephalic dogs?

A 2014 study looking at Bulldogs and Boxers finds that brachycephalic dogs are at risk for arterial hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, which are both associated with chronic magnesium (Mg) depletion. The study found a prevalence of hypomagnesemia being 4.7% in Boxers and 15% in Bulldogs. The researchers theorised that Mg deficiency which is common in Bulldogs could contribute to other comorbidities often observed in this breed.

All the dogs in this study were receiving a commercial diet where Mg was present at the rates recommended by NRC guidelines so why are these dogs deficient? More research needs to be done in this area, however, researchers theorise decreased gastrointestinal absorption seems a likely contributing mechanism based on the evidence currently at hand so in short, the dogs are simply not able to absorb good concentrations of Mg.

Magnesium is an important chemical element to our body because its involved in many processes such as being “a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation”(1).

𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘀:

• Twinges, cramps, spasms

• Mental disorders such as anxiety and personality changes

• Osteoporosis

• Fatigue & muscle weakness

• High blood pressure

• Asthma

• Irregular heartbeat

In humans, low Magnesium consumption is thought to account for 70-80 % of the population theorised to be due to our highly processed diets and Magnesium lacking in our soil these days.

Dogs receiving Zinc supplementation in high doses such as some Artic breeds may have low concentration levels as Zinc can interfere with magnesium absorption and disrupt the magnesium balance in the body.

𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:

• Spinach

• Ground almonds, hazelnuts, cashews & peanuts

• Nuts should be ground, raw where possible, never salted and do not give Macadamia

• Peanut Butter (go for organic with no sweeteners, always check the label for xylitol which is toxic to dogs)

• Black beans

• Avocado

• Banana

• Halibut

• Salmon

• Ground Flax & Pumpkin Seeds

• Soaked or ground Chia seeds

• Brown cooked rice

• Kidney beans

• Cooked Oatmeal

• Cooked Salmon

• Raw Goats Milk

• Chicken & Beef

• Broccoli, cooked

• Apple

• Carrot, raw

• In general, dietary fibre provides Magnesium

𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

--- References:

(1) https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/?fbclid=IwAR3EfM-9P6wGxLe4lgrVXe8o8z3ONnwh90qh-SVaDBwAOGGp2DdWks9ECIk

Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4895574/?fbclid=IwAR2Sb-hclpZetiTD6KEA0nJZVQaxMOE4UhGPvhXjpufPwo1oZpF5kXO6ACA