If you're like most animal lovers, you want to give your pet or horse the best possible care. You feed them well, read the labels, add the supplements and probably put more thought into their food than your own.
And yet you can’t see inside them. Without a closer look, every change you make to their diet is a guess.
Hair mineral analysis gives you that closer look. A few snips of hair and you have a detailed picture of your animal’s mineral balance and toxic load.
What is Hair Mineral Analysis for Animals?
Hair grows slowly, and as it grows it locks in a trace of whatever's circulating through the body at the time. So every strand of hair on your animal’s body becomes a small timeline. Testing the hair closest to the skin can tell you what's been happening over recent weeks and months.
Every report covers 3 groups of elements.
- Macro-minerals, the ones the body needs in larger amounts: sulphur, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium.
- Trace minerals, needed in tiny amounts but just as important: silicon, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, selenium and chromium, plus cobalt for dogs and cats.
- Toxic elements: aluminium, barium, cadmium, lithium, nickel, lead, strontium and vanadium. Depending on the species, the panel also checks arsenic, mercury or germanium.
What can Hair Mineral Analysis tell you?
Minerals work in partnership, and some compete for the same pathways. Your report shows 5-7 key mineral ratios for your animal, flags any that sit outside the healthy range, and tells you which mineral to increase and which to ease back on. This is often where the whole picture finally makes sense.
What about toxic load?
Toxic metals get in through everyday routes most of us never think about, and they compete with the minerals your animal actually needs. The report explains where each one commonly comes from, which gives you practical changes to make at home.
Feed with confidence instead of guessing
Each mineral in your report comes with its role in the body, the signs of too little or too much, the best food sources, and daily requirement guidelines.
Supplements aren't always a one-size-fits-all solution, and knowing exactly where your animal sits means you only add what they need.
A whole-body overview at a glance
Alongside the detailed numbers, your report maps the results to areas of the body so you can see where the imbalances cluster.
- Cats: skin, coat, immunity, digestion, behaviour, urinary system and circulation, among others.
- Dogs: coat, joints, digestion, learning and temperament, overall condition and ageing.
- Horses: stress levels, muscles, bones and joints, hormonal balance, metabolic rate, skin, hair and breeding activity.
What you get back
Around 3-4 weeks after we receive your sample, you'll get your results by email. Your report is approximately 30 pages and includes:
- Every mineral and toxic element measured, shown against its healthy range
- Your animal's key mineral ratios, with clear guidance on what to increase and what to limit
- A body-system overview showing where imbalances are most likely to show up
- Element-by-element tables covering each mineral's role, signs of deficiency or excess, food sources and daily needs
- A toxic elements section explaining common sources and how to reduce exposure
If you'd like help turning the results into a full plan, you can book a naturopathic consultation or send through a question via our free Ask the Naturopath form.
How to take a sample
It takes about 5 minutes.
- Start with a clean coat. Wash the area thoroughly, rinse it completely and let it dry. Avoid any treatments or products on the coat before you collect.
- Use the right scissors. High-grade stainless steel or plastic scissors stop the blades from adding metals to the sample.
- Cut close to the skin. You don't need to pull hair out by the root. Trim small amounts from several spots. The back of the neck works well for dogs and cats. For horses, cut mane hair close to the skin.
- Trim to length. Keep each piece to 5cm or less.
- Collect enough. Aim for at least a tablespoon. Short-coated dogs and cats may need a few extra snips.
- Post it to us with your name, your animal's name and your order number: Greenpet Reception, 244 Verrierdale Road, Verrierdale QLD 4562.
Is it right for my animal?
Owners often come to us for a hair mineral analysis when:
- Their animal seems a bit off and they can't work out why
- A coat has turned dull, brittle or patchy
- They feed a raw or home-prepared diet and want to check it's well balanced
- Their animal is nervy, flat or unsettled
- They're caring for a senior animal and want to support them well
- A horse has moved to new pasture or a new feed
- They're about to start supplements and want to know what's actually needed
Hair mineral analysis gives you insight into nutritional balance and toxic load. It won't diagnose illness, so think of it as one valuable piece of the bigger picture of your animal's health.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hair mineral analysis cost? The test costs $199.95, including your full written report.
How long do results take? Results generally arrive by email 3-4 weeks after we receive your sample.
Does it hurt my animal? Not at all. You simply trim a small amount of hair close to the skin with scissors.
Which animals can you test? We test dogs, cats and horses, and each species has its own reference ranges.
How is this different from the BioCompatibility Test? The hair mineral analysis measures minerals and toxic metals in your animal's hair. If you want to find out which foods suit your animal, the BioCompatibility Test is the one to choose.
What happens after I get my results? Your report includes suggestions for addressing any imbalances. For tailored support, book a naturopathic consultation or reach out through Ask the Naturopath.
Your animal's coat already holds the clues. Order a Hair Mineral Analysis today.