Why HTMA Testing Could Be the Missing Link in Your Dog’s Health Journey

When it comes to your dog’s health, you want answers—especially when something feels off. While blood tests are an everyday go-to for diagnosing issues, they often provide only a snapshot of your dog’s current state. But what if there was a way to uncover deeper, long-term insights into their well-being?

That’s where Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) testing comes in. This innovative, non-invasive test reveals vital information about your dog’s health status. HTMA offers a clearer picture of your dog’s health over time, helping you address imbalances and prevent issues before they escalate.

What is Hair Tissue Mineral Testing?

HTMA is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that examines a small sample of your dog’s hair to measure mineral levels, detect deficiencies, and identify the presence of toxins, such as heavy metals.

HTMA provides a long-term view of how minerals and toxins accumulate in the body. It is particularly valuable for tracking chronic nutritional imbalances, monitoring the effects of dietary changes or supplements, and uncovering long-term underlying health issues. 

How HTMA Complements Blood Panels for a Holistic View

While blood tests are essential for assessing immediate health concerns like electrolyte and metabolic balance, they can miss broader trends in your dog’s mineral status. HTMA complements blood panels by offering a more comprehensive perspective.

HTMA evaluates long-term mineral accumulation, detects deficiencies or excesses in trace minerals, and identifies toxins like mercury or lead that may have built up over time. These insights fill gaps that blood tests can’t always address, such as chronic imbalances or hidden toxin exposure.

Combining HTMA with traditional blood panels can create a complete picture of your dog’s health, empowering you to address potential issues early and provide targeted care tailored to their unique needs.

6 Benefits of HTMA Testing for Your Dog’s Well-Being

1. Chronic Health Insights: Tracking Trends Over Time

Unlike blood tests, which provide a momentary view of your dog’s health, Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis tracks mineral accumulation in the body over months.

By analyzing hair, HTMA reveals health trends that may go unnoticed in routine bloodwork. This long-term perspective makes it especially valuable for monitoring how your dog’s body responds to dietary changes, supplements, or environmental factors. 

2. Noninvasive Testing: A Stress-Free Option for Your Dog

For dogs who dread vet visits or get anxious around needles, HTMA offers a simple, stress-free alternative. This test only requires a small hair sample, making it far less invasive than traditional blood tests.

The sample can be collected at home or during a quick visit to your veterinarian, eliminating the need for needles, sedation, or the anxiety that often accompanies blood draws.

3. Mineral Imbalances: A Deeper Look Beyond Blood Panels

Minerals are essential for your dog’s overall health, influencing everything from energy production to immune function and mental clarity. HTMA offers a detailed analysis of your dog’s mineral levels, uncovering deficiencies or excesses in critical trace minerals like zinc, magnesium, and selenium that blood panels often overlook.

With the insights provided by HTMA, you can tailor your dog’s diet and supplements to meet their unique needs. Our dehydrated, all-natural NDF2 diet is the perfect foundation for addressing trace mineral deficiencies. NDF2 supports energy, digestion, and overall vitality with nutrient-dense ingredients like freeze-dried organ meats and vegetables.

Consider adding targeted supplements to further optimize your dog’s nutrition. Our Veggie Pak offers a blend of dehydrated vegetables and herbs rich in essential amino acids and minerals. 

Krill oil delivers Omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health and reduce inflammation, while Vitamin B Complex ensures proper energy metabolism and nervous system function.

An HTMA test and Volhard’s carefully crafted diets and supplements work hand-in-hand to bridge nutritional gaps, ensuring your dog’s health is optimized at every level. 

4. Detecting Toxins and Heavy Metals With HTMA

Toxins and heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, and arsenic, can silently accumulate in your dog’s body over time, potentially impacting their long-term health. HTMA excels at detecting these toxins, providing insights that standard blood tests often miss.

Heavy metals are typically quickly excreted through urine, making them difficult to detect in blood panels. However, hair accumulates these chemicals over time, allowing HTMA to reveal chronic exposure and toxic build-up. 

Identifying these toxins early can help prevent potential health complications, from organ stress to neurological issues, enabling you to address the root cause and make necessary lifestyle or dietary adjustments.

5. Early Detection of Potential Health Issues

Nutritional imbalances often manifest as subtle signs before developing serious health problems. HTMA helps identify these early warning signals, such as mineral deficiencies or toxic exposures, allowing you to intervene before symptoms escalate.

Addressing imbalances proactively can help prevent chronic conditions like fatigue, digestive issues, or weakened immunity. HTMA is a valuable tool for avoiding potential health challenges and ensuring your dog enjoys a long, healthy, and vibrant life.

6. Trends Over Time: Tracking Your Dog’s Health Journey

HTMA is particularly useful for monitoring progress, as it allows you to see how adjustments to your dog’s care plan impact its health over time. 

Unlike blood tests, which only capture a momentary snapshot, HTMA allows for ongoing, data-driven insights that support your dog’s evolving needs.

Unlock the Full Picture of Your Dog’s Health With HTMA Testing!

Whether your dog is facing deficiencies or you’re looking to maintain their peak condition, HTMA testing and our specially formulated diets and supplements provide a pathway to vibrant pet health.

For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, contact us and check out our blog!

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert canine nutrition coaches offer online consultations to help more dog parents discover why and how to feed their dogs the healthiest foods!

Speaking to a Volhard canine nutrition coach will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind.

If you want to contact one of our Volhard canine nutrition coaches, don't hesitate to access our consultation page!

References

1. Davies, M., et al. “Mineral status in canine medial coronoid process disease: A cohort study using analysis of hair by mass spectrometry.” Veterinary Record, vol. 180, no. 18, May 2017, pp. 448–448, https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.103953. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
   

2. ParsleyPet Wellness. “What Is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)?” ParsleyPet Wellness, 7 Feb. 2020, parsleypet.com/what-is-hair-tissue-mineral-analysis-htma/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
   

3. Pereira, Ana Margarida, et al. “Zinc in dog nutrition, Health and Disease: A Review.” Animals, vol. 11, no. 4, 1 Apr. 2021, p. 978, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11040978. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.