Chelated Copper

It is generally reported to be absorbed better and to compete less with other minerals in the gut, but data on this in cats are limited.

Chelated copper is copper bound to amino acids or proteins, and on labels it often appears as copper proteinate or copper amino acid chelate. Cats need copper, and the Merck Veterinary Manual notes that copper deficiency causes a microcytic, hypochromic anemia. Complete cat foods add it in measured amounts. For a cat with liver disease, ask your veterinarian about copper in the diet.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Chelated copper is a form of copper attached to amino acids or small proteins. Manufacturers add it to supply the copper a cat needs for red blood cell formation and connective tissue. The word chelated comes from a Greek word for claw, describing how the amino acid holds the metal.

Cats need copper as part of a complete diet. The Merck Veterinary Manual says a deficiency of iron or copper shows up as a microcytic, hypochromic anemia, meaning small, pale red blood cells. It also notes that copper in most meats is used efficiently and that deficiencies are rare except in animals fed a diet made almost entirely of milk or vegetables.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Copper proteinate is one type of chelated copper. It means copper has been bound to partly broken-down protein. Labels may also say copper amino acid chelate or copper amino acid complex. All of these are organic forms of copper, as opposed to inorganic salts.

Pettings gives chelated copper 4 out of 5 and lists it as a chelated mineral. It appears on 74 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Our How We Score page explains how ingredient scores are set. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.