Minerals are extremely important in the diet, and its safe to say without them, life (as we know it) would be pretty darn impossible. Some mammals have special dietary requirements that others lack because of subtle evolutionary differencess. Kibbles, in general, are good in the respect that they are loaded with the offically recognized mineral requirements for the animal they were designed for. However, they are bad in that not all are exactly balanced. In terms of minerals, cat chow is geared towards the mineral requirements of cats, dog chow for dogs, etc. It is presumed that ferret chows have the minerals in the minimum doses required for ferrets, but since many of those levels have not been described well in print, it is hard to know if they are factual or not. Essential minerals (or elements) in mammalian systems include Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Chlorine, Sodium, Zinc, Molybdenum, Selenium, Sulpher, Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Cobalt, Manganese and Iodine. Elements that are probably essential are Fluorine, Silicon, Titanium, Vanadium, Chromium, Nickel, Arsenic, Bromine, Strontium, and Cadmium. Elements that might be essential, but the jury is still out include Lithium, Beryllium, Boron, Scandium, Aluminium, Gallium, Gemanium, Rubidium, Zirconium, Silver, Lead, Antimony, Caesium, Barium, Mercury, Tin, Bismuth, Radium, Thorium and Uranium. In the last set of elements, the function is currently unknown, imperfectly known, or controversial. Calcium (Ca) is essential in bone and tooth formation, blood coagulation, muscle contraction, nerve function, and milk production. Deficiency symptoms include osteomalacia, weakness, reproductive problems, milk fever and can result in the disease called Rickets. Severe deficiency interferes with heart muscle contractions resulting in death. Phosphorus (P) is essential in bone and tooth formation, metabolic functions, energy production, and blood pH regulation. Deficiency symptoms include osteomalacia, weakness, and rickets. Potassium (K) is essential for life. It is important for osmotic balance, cellular pH, cell transportation of nutrients and cell products, and muscle cell function. Deficiency symptoms include reduced growth and blood and cellular pH imbalances. Severe deficiency results in death. Chorine (Cl) is essential for life. It is important for osmotic balance, cellular pH, formation of stomach acids, cell transportation of nutrients and cell products, and muscle cell function. Deficiency symptoms include reduced growth and blood and cellular pH imbalances. Severe deficiency results in death. Sodium (Na) is essential for life. It is important for osmotic balance, cellular pH, cell transportation of nutrients and cell products, and muscle cell function. Deficiency symptoms include reduced growth, visual problems, and reproductive problems. Severe deficiency results in death. Zinc (Zn) is essential for proper growth and development, reproductive function, bone formation, blood formation and metabolic functions. Deficiency symptoms include retarded growth, rough hair, impaired reproductive ability, inflamation of moist tissues, skin disorders, and bleeding. Molybdenum (Mo) is essential in the formation of the enzyme xanthine oxidase which is essential in the metabolism of purines into uric acids. Deficiency symptoms include kidney stones but deficiency uncommon. Selenium (Se) is essential for the formation of some animo acids, is tied to Vitamin E absorption, and assists in vision and hair production. Deficiency symptoms include impaired growth, and loss of hair, liver necrosis and muscular dysfunction. Sulphur (S) is essential for the formation of amino acids, tissue respiration, and in the formation of Biotin and Thiamine. Deficiency symptoms include poor or stunted growth. Magnesium (Mg) is essential for bone formation and in the function of certain enzymes. Deficiency symptoms include flushing, hyperirritability, loss of equilibrium and trembling. Iron (Fe) is mostly found in the body as organic compounds, such as hemoglobin in the red blood cells, and as myoglobin in the muscles. However, a small portion of ionic iron is found in the blood plasma. It is important in blood formation, muscle growth and formation, and tissue respiration. Deficiency symptoms include anaemia, weakness and retarded growth and can result in Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia. Copper (Cu) is essential for blood formation, helping put iron into the hemoglobin molecule and assists maturation of the blood cells. It also helps in bone formation and as a component in various enzymes. Deficiency symptoms include anemia, weakness or lameness, bleeding, retarded growth, diarrhoea, depigmentation, weak bones and nerve degeneration. Cobalt (Co) is essential in the synthesis of Vitamin B-12, important in blood formation and metabolic functions. Deficiency symptoms include anemia, impaired appetite, weakness, distortions of the spine and rough hair. Manganese (Mn) is essential in bone formation, tissue respiration, growth, blood formation, production of amino acids and the function of some glands. Deficiency symptoms include weakness, low fertility, testicular degeneration, retarded skeletal growth, and the drying up of milk during lactation. Iodine (I) is essential in the thyroid hormones which regulate basic metabolism and growth. Deficiency symptoms include the enlargement of the thyroid gland, skin disorders, loss of hair, debilitation and can result in a disease called Thyroid Goiter. Bob C and 20 MO Rockin' Raisinettes [Posted in FML issue 2317]