Several-week perspective
Fur grows over time and can support investigation of longer-term exposure patterns than a single blood or urine sample.
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Dog Fur Mineral Analysis
Canine mineral and exposome testing
Dog Fur Mineral Analysis
A non-invasive view of long-term mineral patterns, toxic metals and environmental exposure from a simple fur sample.
ICP-MS Triple QuadIndependent laboratory100–200 mg sample
No supplement salesControlled washingCoat-colour consideredVeterinary and research use
What the matrix can provide
A complementary view of chronic exposure
Non-invasive collection
Sampling is simple, does not require refrigeration and is practical for repeat monitoring.
Profile-based interpretation
Results are reviewed as elemental patterns alongside breed, coat colour, diet, environment and clinical history.
Analytical panel
What can be measured?
Depending on the selected panel and validation status, the elemental profile can cover essential, trace and potentially toxic elements.
Essential and nutritional elements
- Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus
- Sodium and potassium
- Zinc, copper and iron
- Manganese, selenium and iodine
- Sulphur and selected trace elements
Trace and potentially toxic elements
- Lead, mercury and arsenic
- Cadmium and aluminium
- Nickel and chromium
- Tin, antimony and barium
- Uranium and other selected elements
Scientific rationale
Why analyse dog fur?
Blood concentrations are tightly regulated for many minerals and often reflect recent physiology. Fur provides a different, complementary matrix that is stable during transport and suitable for repeated monitoring.
Important: Fur analysis complements rather than replaces blood, urine and conventional veterinary assessment.
Potential applications
- Environmental exposure investigations
- Long-term toxic-metal monitoring
- Indoor versus outdoor comparisons
- Household and geographical exposure studies
- Nutritional and veterinary research
- Breed and population studies
- Monitoring before and after an intervention
- One Health and exposome research
Beyond minerals
The FurExposome approach
For selected research or advanced exposure projects, Delta-Fur can extend the investigation beyond elemental measurements.
- Pesticides and veterinary antiparasitics
- PFAS and emerging fluorinated compounds
- Glyphosate, AMPA and glufosinate
- Mycotoxins and plant alkaloids
- Cortisol, cortisone and steroid hormones
- Non-targeted Orbitrap HRMS screening
Sampling
How to collect a useful sample
Collect 100–200 mg from a defined anatomical area.
Cut close to the skin without pulling the fur.
Avoid visibly dirty or recently treated areas.
Do not mix different coat colours.
Record breed, age, sex, colour, diet, medication and lifestyle.
Report shampoos and recent topical antiparasitic treatments.
Interpretation
A profile, not an isolated number
Results are most informative when the analytical profile is interpreted alongside the animal and its environment.
- Absolute concentrations and analytical uncertainty
- Selected elemental relationships and multivariate patterns
- Coat colour and pigmentation
- Breed, age and sex
- Diet, supplements and medication
- Indoor or outdoor lifestyle
- Previous results from the same animal
Laboratory quality
Why choose Delta-Fur?
Advanced measurement
High-sensitivity ICP-MS with calibration, internal standards, blanks and structured quality controls.
Scientific caution
We distinguish exposure monitoring from diagnosis and communicate the limitations of the matrix.
Animal-specific interpretation
Species, coat colour, lifestyle, diet and longitudinal history are considered where available.
FurExposome capacity
Targeted and high-resolution Orbitrap workflows are available for selected research projects.
Frequently asked questions
Practical questions
How much fur is required?
The standard mineral panel generally requires 100–200 mg of fur. Enough material should be collected to permit washing, preparation and repeat measurement where necessary.
Can dog fur analysis diagnose a disease?
No. Fur analysis is complementary exposure and monitoring information. It does not replace a veterinary examination, blood testing, urine testing or diagnostic imaging.
Can supplements or topical products affect the result?
Yes. Diet, supplements, medication, shampoos and topical antiparasitic products should be reported because they may influence specific measurements.
Can two samples be compared over time?
Yes. Longitudinal monitoring is most useful when sampling location, coat colour and collection procedure remain comparable.
Request a dog fur analysis
Available for individual animals, veterinary practices, breeders, research groups and environmental exposure studies.