What a Gorgeous Hair Coat!!
by Dr. Ron Rompala
If clothes make the man, then the hair coat makes the horse, dog or any animal. A critter possessing a bright and shiny hair coat with vivid colors is a model of health and vigor. Getting and maintaining a beautiful hair coat is not accidental. Proper nutrition is definitely essential for good hair coats. Obviously, many people begin to figure that manipulating an animal's nutrition can produce hair coats without any limits to the magnitude of shine or depth of color. Can nutrition be used to produce hair coats of unlimited beauty?
In addition to nutrition, there are several factors that affect the quality of hair coats. Genetics has a large impact and probably sets the ultimate limits. Color patterns, texture of the hair follicle and other characteristics that affects how light is reflected by the hair coat and ultimately seen by the observer are affected by genetics. Environment plays an important role. Conditions that put stress on the hair and skin will diminish the appearance of the hair coat. Actually, an interaction of all three, genetics, environment and nutrition, dictate the quality of the hair coat.
With this in mind, the owner needs to assure that their horse, dog, cat, rabbit or any animal receives the proper amount and balance of nutrients. It is important for animals to receive feed that provides the following nutrient categories that are vital for proper hair growth:
| Protein: | Protein makes up a good percentage of hair. Feed with high quality protein is necessary for maintaining quality hair coats. |
| Vitamins: | Vitamins are involved with assisting or regulating many metabolic processes. A number of these metabolic processes contribute to the growth of hair. |
| Minerals: | Many of the minerals are involved with catalyzing and controlling metabolic reactions. A deficiency in minerals will cause a reduction in hair growth. |
| Fats: | Certain types of fats are essential for structural and metabolic purposes that are vital to hair growth. Lack of these essential fats will cause dull hair coats. |
There are other things that can interfere with normal functions and ruin the looks of a hair coat. Diseases and allergies can take away nutrients that were destined for hair growth that ultimately damages the coat. Thyroid problems and autoimmune diseases can hurt the appearance of the hair coat.
Blue Seal Feeds recognizes the contribution of a properly balanced feed to maintaining a quality hair coat. The proteins are high quality and not damaged by processing. Vitamins are highly usable and in a stable form to protect against degradation. Chelated minerals are used to improve the availability of these important nutrients. The fats in many Blue Seal Feeds products are balanced containing both omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Products like EZ Pels™ work wonders for delivering vitamins and minerals to horses, rabbits, cattle and other animals that ultimately keeps a hair coat healthy. Dog foods like Chicken Meal and Rice and Ultra 27™ have balanced fatty acids along with the proper minerals and vitamins vital for nice hair coats.
Nutrition is not 100% responsible for the appearance of a hair coat. However, good nutrition plays a very important role in contributing to making hair coats look good. Attractive hair coats and Blue Seal Feeds just go together.
© 2002. Blue Seal Feeds, Inc.
© Blue Seal Feeds, Inc. – January, 2004