Can You Explain Zinc Posioning in Pets?

Q: In the American Profile insert for May 4-10, your "Ask the Vet" piece warns against "creams with zinc" because of "red blood cell problems." Isn't zinc is an essential nutrient for pets and added pet foods to promote good health? Can you explain this?

A: The amount of zinc in pets foods is not enough to be toxic. In order for zinc, or many other ingredients to be toxic, they must be ingested in high doses. If a large enough quantity of zinc is ingested, it can cause hemolytic anemia. This means that the red blood cells burst open and can not function properly. For example, pennies made after 1983 are over 97% zinc. If swallowed by an animal this can be enough to cause an anemia. Certain creams can also be a problem if enough is ingested.

Dr. Lauren Brickman Dr. Brickman started as a veterinary technician at Garden City Park in 1997 and went on to…

Filed Under: Health & Home, Nutrition
Tags: creams, hemolytic anemia, pet food, toxic

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