Zeolite in Animal Feed

dairy cows eating zeolite nutrition

Dairy Cows ingesting zeolite as apart of their diet

Dairy Cows Eating Zeolite

Adding Zeolite to animal feed comes with many advantages.


Zeolite is the choice of many framers for their livestock; they use it as an animal feed additive for cattle, Poultry( chicken, broiler, eggs), Dairy, and pigs. The only naturally occurring mineral in the World is Zeolite that is negatively charged; its fundamental chemistry alone brings desirable benefits in animals taking it in their feed.

Zeolite has several characteristics that make it suitable for using it as an animal feed additive. These include it been a verified organic product that is none-harmful and stable. It absorbs odor from the feed grains making the overall place and animals have less odor. These, along with other unique qualities, make Zeolite the best choice for Animal feed.

Benefits of the addition of Zeolite as an animal feed additive:

· Animal weight and growth increase because of improvement in food conversion rate as weight gain is more for the amount of feed consumed.

· Ammonium affinity is high. This controls the smell, and the environment stays healthy. Ammonia accumulation in the animal circulatory system is also prevented.

· Zeolite maintains the pH of the alimentary canal of diary animals like cattle by acting as Rumen Buffer. This increases overall dairy production.

· Gastrointestinal diseases are reduced. Diarrhea, acidosis, enteritis are some of them.

· Strong ammonium affinity helps to increase the overall quality and yield of milk, dairy, and poultry by aiding in nutrient absorption by better digestion.

· Non protein nitrogen increases and helps maintain rumen health and microbial activity for cattle and sheep.

· Phosphate absorption improved.

· Carbide utilization and benefits increase. NH4+ is absorbed.

·Acidosis subsides.

· The durability of the food pellet is improved.

·Bones are more robust and better growth.

·The death rate is reduced.

· Non-therapeutic and no caloric value.

·It is certified for the use of animal feed additive.

·Europe has approved Zeolite to be used as a mycotoxins binder. North America has not yet given the permit. It is anti-toxic as it absorbs toxins and prevents many deaths of swine and cattle that due to git and other metabolic diseases. Antibiotics and medicines are rarely needed in Europe, where Zeolite is extensively used as an animal feed additive.


Field testing was done for years, and it has been successful. According to these results, many livestock framers started adding Zeolite in animal feed. About 2-5% of the feed consists of Zeolite. They reported enhancement in the growth and health of animals.

Non -Nitrogen Protein increased:

Zeolite also plays the role of non-protein nitrogen in animals such as cattle and sheep that belong to Ruminants.

Hogs and poultry animals require proteins that they obtain from animals and greens. Animals like cattle, swine, cows, and dairy animals have the first stomach, also called the rumen. It processes the non-protein nitrogen to ammonia that is converted then into amino acids and proteins.

Ammonia is accumulated in the blood vessels and causes many gastrointestinal and other health complications in animals. These include:

· Bloating.

·Carbon dioxide levels are altered due to acid-base imbalance that animal tries to adjust by labored breathing.

·Electrolyte imbalance leading to CNS dysfunction.

NPN consumption can be increased four to six times by adding Zeolite in animal feed. Zeolite absorbs ammonia that is generated by NPN hence increasing NPN consumption. The food in the first stomach is sent back to the mouth for chewing and more saliva addition. The saliva contains sodium that takes the place of ammonium, thus slowing down the formation of proteins. The reduction of dicalcium phosphate improves health. Pollution is also controlled by feeding phytase at the moment.