Mineral Tolerance of Animals

Many minerals are essential for maintaining the health and productivity of animals. Indeed, most minerals have very well-defined nutritional and biochemical roles that are considered to be essential. But minerals can also adversely affect animals when amounts in their diet or the water they consume become excessive. Even at dietary levels that are apparently safe for animals, some minerals accumulate in their tissues at concentrations that raise concerns about the possible effects of their consumption as food. The prevention of mineral toxicities, therefore, is a fundamental part of animal nutrition and management. Updating the 1980 edition of Mineral Tolerance of Domestic Animals, this new book makes important recommendations on the toxic and tolerable levels of minerals for a variety of animal species. Preventing adverse effects of minerals on the health of animals requires the application of appropriate nutritional and toxicological principles to set limits on mineral exposure to animals. To address this need, a committee of experts in nutrition, toxicology, and veterinary medicine thoroughly reviewed the scientific literature to identify the essential qualities of dietary minerals, analyze the effects of animals to toxic exposures, and examine how animals living in different environmental conditions metabolize minerals and tolerate toxins. This book will be essential to food industry professionals, pet and other animal food manufacturers, federal regulators, and animal nutritionists.