Zinc for dogs: what it does for skin and coat, and where it comes from

Zinc is a trace mineral that dogs need in small, steady amounts. It's involved in normal skin and coat maintenance, and dogs get it from their food. Meat is a natural source, and lean muscle carries about as much zinc as liver.

One thing zinc is not: a remedy. If your dog is itchy, working out why is a job for your vet, not a treat.

What does zinc do in a dog's body?

Zinc is part of many enzymes, so it's in everyday processes like cell division and protein building. Skin and hair renew constantly, so the textbooks list zinc among the nutrients involved in normal skin and coat maintenance. A dog on a complete diet already has the zinc its skin needs.

Where does zinc come from?

Mostly from animal tissue. In USDA's raw values, lean beef muscle sits at around 4–5 mg of zinc per 100 g, and beef liver at around 4 mg. So muscle carries as much zinc as liver; liver pulls ahead on vitamin A, B12, iron and copper. Raw figures; we don't put numbers on the dried product.

In our range, beef jerky does the zinc job on its own; the beef range is the everyday reward end. Liver comes with its own rule.

Liver is very rich in vitamin A, so a little goes a long way — a few small pieces a day for a medium dog, with all treats under about 10% of daily food.

How much, and will it help an itchy dog?

The same as any treat: under about 10% of the day's food. More isn't better — the NRC publishes an upper limit as well as a minimum. A few pieces of dried beef won't get near it; supplements are a vet decision.

Persistent scratching, flaky skin or a dull coat can have many causes, and most have nothing to do with zinc. A true zinc shortfall does exist in dogs, but it's diagnosed by a vet, with tests. Also: beef is one of the most commonly reported food allergens in dogs (Mueller, Olivry and Prélaud, 2016). If your vet is running an elimination diet, every treat has to fit the plan or the trial tells you nothing.

Every dog is different. For an ongoing issue, your vet is the first call — this is general information, not veterinary advice.

Keep reading: Which nutrients are involved in a dog's coat? · Beef liver dog treats: what's in them and how much to feed

Sources

• National Research Council (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press. nap.nationalacademies.org
• USDA FoodData Central. fdc.nal.usda.gov
• Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P (2016). Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Veterinary Research 12:9. doi.org

Pudel · Reviewed September 2026 · Single-protein, naturally dried dog treats, made in Australia. General information, not veterinary advice.