How Lick Salt is Useful for Animals Well-being
Rock salt is a pinkish block of salt. It is the purest form of salt containing additional nutrients which are necessary to maintain good health. Enriched with minerals and provides all essential nutrients. 48% of the population owns farm animals and a major part of the population owns pets. Both, include this salt in the daily feed of animals for their good health. It is hard like a rock and not easy to break so animals usually lick this block of salt to gain all the essential nutrients. Rock salt helps animals stay healthy and impacts their overall well-being.
Maintain Body Functions
A licksalt is also recognized as a mineral lick. It is a dietary supplement for animals thatcontains 84 essential nutrients required for the overall health and proper body functioning of animals. Licking salt benefits animals to fulfill their nutritional needs which are deficient in their diet. These nutrients regulate proper body functioning.
Salt contains essential minerals such as sodium and chloride which are vital for their health. In animals, a deficiency of sodium can cause heat stress, dehydration, and decreased milk and meat production. When animals intake this salt, they replenish the minerals that their bodies need to function properly.
So, licking salt plays a role in maintaining a healthy digestive system. It keeps them hydrated and balances proper fluid, improves muscle and nerve functioning. Health problems in animals that arise due to these mineral deficiencies can also be avoided.
Growth and Development
Lick salt is a common behaviour among many animals, including domesticated animals like cattle, sheep, cows, camels, and horses.
A block of this salt contains other essential trace minerals as well such as calcium, magnesium, selenium, and phosphorus. All of these minerals are important for the healthy development of animals. The minerals in it help to build and maintain strong bones, tissues, and muscles.
Moreover, one of the trace minerals, calcium in salt is fundamental for strong bone and teeth development in lactating cows. Magnesium helps with digestion and nerve functioning. However proper use of salt ensures the healthy growth and development of animals.
Prevents Dehydration And Heat Stress
Animals lose significant amounts of nutrients in severe climate conditions. Due to labour work in harsh weather, animals lose body fluids which can lead to dehydration. Salt lick can refill those minerals and balance proper fluids to lessen the chances of dehydration and heat stress. Lick salt should be included in the diets of those animals that live in hot and arid environments to keep them hydrated.
Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
An environment with poor availability of important nutrients can cause signs of nutrient deficiency. Major signs of nutrients deficiency in farm animals include:
Loss of appetite
Consumption of dirt, rock, manure and woods
Weight loss
If these signs are noticed then, it is the right time to treat animals with this salt. A moderate amount of salt is required to boost energy levels, increase water consumption, build immunity and create resistance against diseases.
Behavioural Needs
In addition to its nutritional benefits, licking salt can also help animals meet their behavioural needs. Some animals may intake it as a form of stress relief or to satisfy their natural desire to chew and lick objects. Providing animals with access to salt licks blocks is an easy and effective way to ensure they are getting the essential minerals required for their well-being.
Furthermore, they are perfectly safe and you don’t have to worry about over-consumption. It’s because the animals only lick salt whenever they need to.
It comes with a hole easy to hang somewhere within reach of animals. It is water soluble so keep it in a safe place in rainy weather.
Conclusion
Lick salt is full of minerals required for healthy bodily functions. It improves immunity. revents dehydration, weight loss, mineral deficiencies, and other health issues. Mineral-rich- supplements must be included in daily diet to promote the good health of animals. Providing the required amount of lick salt could be helpful for overall well-being of animals. In addition, it also helps in their proper growth and development.
