Sodium selenite: Does this petfood ingredient warrant concern?

Selenium is an essential trace mineral for dogs and cats. Due to wide variation in selenium content among ingredients used to make petfoods, most manufacturers will include a supplemental source in their trace mineral premix. The predominant form used in petfood is sodium selenite, which has been used for decades without much issue.

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

January 10, 2012

Selenium is an essential trace mineral for dogs and cats. Due to wide variation in selenium content among ingredients used to make petfoods, most manufacturers will include a supplemental source in their trace mineral premix. The predominant form used in petfood is sodium selenite, which has been used for decades without much issue.

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Ingredient Issues

The importance of a balanced diet — without mineral excesses

The possible undesired results of unbalanced minerals in pet food formulations bear further examination.

Trace mineral concentrations in pet food formulations can impact the nutritional balance and value of the final product.

Brand Insights

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Pet Food Insights

What is the role of regulators in pet food marketing claims?

AAFCO’s potential ‘controlled copper’ label claim should be carefully considered.

AAFCO should carefully consider its possible reach into pet food marketing claims, particularly as relates to the current copper situation.

Finding the ideal carrier for premixes

Learn about the possible options for premix carriers in pet food formulations.

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Options for iodine fortification in dog and cat diets

Iodine is required by the dog and cat and is found at low levels in the basal ingredients thus necessitating supplementation in the diet.

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Phytate, phosphorus, phytase for dogs, cats on plant-based pet foods

Phytate phosphorus may be a limiting factor in new plant-based pet foods. In addition to supplementation, use of a phytase enzyme may be needed to unlock the phosphorus and make it more bioavailable.

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Calcium in pet foods: How to manage excess in modern formulas

The nature of higher-protein diets with a large quantity of rendered protein meals can be difficult to manage at the upper limits of calcium concentration and require several ingredient and formulation strategies to effectively control.

Higher protein levels in pet food formulations are creating challenges when it comes to managing calcium levels. | thodonal88 | Shutterstock.com

Phosphorus in pet diets: How do we manage it?

Source inconsistencies, differences in bioavailability and complex physiological controls make balancing dietary phosphorus a challenging process.

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Bone broth: Add flavor, water, electrolytes to pet diets

Bone broth is an ancient food with deep cultural roots that pet owners have begun to embrace as a new approach to connect with their pets.

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Processing Functional Ingredients

Remove the chemicals from my pet’s food

Is it possible to remove food “chemicals” from nutritionally complete pet foods and maintain a balanced formulation?

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Ingredients and substances to avoid

Clean label pet food: How does mercury get into dog and cat foods?

Concern for mercury in pet food affects only certain cat and dog food products.

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Clean label pet food: Are reports of heavy metals reliable?

Non-nutritional mineral levels in pet foods are not likely an issue.

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Copper-associated liver disease in dogs: pet food issue?

While most evidence currently points to genetics, it’s possible that copper as a dietary ingredient plays some role.

Copper is an essential mineral in the diet. | pixelman, Bigstock.com

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