Copper deficiency and rusting of coats

RUSTING IN RATS

Rusting are patchy areas of the coat that appear to be more “washed out”. It is more visible in black, agouti, mink and blue rats and may appear to be more brown in colour.

Whilst rusting is a normal part of ageing it can also be down to a copper deficiency, genetic predisposition and over exposure to sunlight. (1) It is worth adding copper to your rats diet to see if it improves. It may take a couple of weeks before you see an effect.

COPPER DEFICIENCY AND RUSTING

Coat color is determined by the presence and proportion of melanin pigments. The enzyme for melanin production is copper-dependant and influenced by zinc.

If pigment levels are high, they have a greater resistance to damage. If it is low and the coat is rusting, it may indicate that you need to add copper or zinc in the diet. (2)

Do not add straight copper to a diet as it can have a negative impact on the absorption and utilization of zinc. Copper has an influence on the utilization of iron and must stay in balance with zinc and iron. Taking too much of one of these may throw the balance off.

HOW TO ADD COPPER TO THE DIET

Add a fortified diet containing copper and zinc or feed a mineral and vitamin supplement.

I personally prefer to feed fresh foods that contains copper and zinc, e.g. paprika or fresh sweet pepper, button mushrooms, lentils, sunflower seeds, dark chocolate, almonds or beef liver. (3)

Note that paprika contains capsaicin that may cause skin sensitivity so feed in moderation to animals prone to skin issues like Harley and hairless rats.

Copper is a trace mineral and is needed in a very small quantity.

THE ROLE OF COPPER

Besides improving melanin production and coat colour, copper also has the following benefits:

• It helps to form haemoglobin and collagen in the body.

• A copper deficiency results in poorly formed red blood cells know an anaemia and has a direct influence on energy levels.

• It is an antioxidant, helping with the elimination of free radicals. It can also increase parasitic infections.

• Lack of copper during growth may result in incomplete brain and nerve development.

(1) Jemma Fettes, retrieved from http://www.isamurats.co.uk/the-coat.html

(2) Clair Thunes, PhD, (2016, Jan 25), COPPER’S IMPACT ON EQUINE COAT COLOUR, retrieved from http://www.thehorse.com/articles/37028/coppers-impact-on-equine-coat-color

(3) DR. AXE Food is Medicine, Top 10 copper rich foods, retrieved from https://draxe.com/top-10-copper-rich-foods/