Primary Hair Growth in Dogs Depends on Dietary Selenium Concentrations

This study investigated the impact of dietary selenium on hair growth in 36 beagles, revealing that both low (0.04 and 0.09 mg/kg) and high (5.04 mg/kg) selenium concentrations in the diet reduced hair growth compared to moderate levels (0.12, 0.54, and 1.03 mg/kg). The dogs were fed a selenium-supplemented diet for 24 weeks, and while body weight and food intake remained unaffected, significant differences in serum selenium concentrations were observed by the study's end. The study concluded that selenium levels below 0.12 mg/kg might be marginal for adult dogs, and both insufficient and excessive selenium intake negatively impacted hair growth.