Dogs eat dog food from deuka dog bowl (© Deutsche Tiernahrung Cremer)
Farmer and adviser check feed quality at the feed table
Consultation in winter garden between advisor and farmer

Raw material and nutrient lexicon

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Sodium

Sodium, together with chlorine, regulates the osmotic pressure of the extracellular fluid in the organism. Sodium carbonates and phosphates are important buffer systems in the body that maintain a certain balance between acids and bases. Sodium is also essential for the function of muscles and nerves as well as for saliva secretion and regulation of the water balance. Sodium is easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and, in case of excess, excreted through the kidneys in the urine. These processes are controlled by hormones of the adrenal cortex. Sodium losses from the animal body occur during heavy perspiration and diarrhoea. The utilisation rate for sodium in the gastrointestinal tract is 80 to 90 %. Sodium undersupply can lead to reduced performance, licking, loss of appetite and various metabolic disorders. Sodium oversupply can only occur if, for example, old bread, biscuits or the like are fed to animals. In general, no health disadvantages are to be expected from a sodium intake that significantly exceeds the requirement, but sufficient water must be available to the animals. The plant feeds used in feeding are usually low in sodium. Only beet leaves, beet, molasses and dried pulp (by-products of extracting sugar from sugar beet) are an exception. The animals are supplied with sodium as needed by supplementing the feed with naturally occurring mineral sodium salts such as sodium chloride (common salt; cattle salt), sodium phosphate, sodium carbonate or sodium sulphate.