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Ingredient file // Vitamin or mineral

Manganous Oxide

A needed mineral, with no joint magic

Manganous oxide is a powdered source of manganese added in small amounts to dog food. Dogs need manganese for normal enzyme activity and growth. The ingredient name alone cannot tell you how much manganese a dog absorbs.

Role in the food Supporting nutrient
What it is
A dry compound of manganese and oxygen used to supply a required trace mineral in dog food.
Made from
Processed manganese concentrate
Main job
Supplies dietary manganese
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Impurities in poorly controlled mineral batches
Not the same as
Manganese dioxide

Straight answer

Is Manganous Oxide safe for dogs?

Read it as a small mineral addition

Manganous oxide belongs near the other minerals at the end of the ingredient list. Judge the main ingredients separately, then check the nutritional adequacy statement for your dog's life stage. The name identifies a manganese source; it does not reveal batch purity or the amount your dog absorbs.

Why it is in the food
Supplies dietary manganese

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 5 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

19%

612 of the 3,205 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 35 brands. 535 dry dog food, 72 wet dog food, 5 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 26. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

3%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 97% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.41
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 437 priced foods, 5% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

26%

of the foods that list it are from Royal Canin. 35 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

A documented feed grade producer dries, grinds and reduces manganese concentrate to make manganous oxide. The finished powder supplies concentrated manganese to mineral premixes used in animal feed.7,9

  1. 01 // Source Manganese concentrate The documented feed grade plant starts with manganese concentrate as its mineral raw material.
  2. 02 // Process Dried and ground The plant dries and grinds the concentrate before it reaches the reduction furnace.
  3. 03 // Process Reduced in furnace Reduction converts the prepared concentrate into manganous oxide for feed use.
  4. 04 // Output Packaged oxide powder The plant packages the finished feed grade oxide, which suppliers describe as a fine powder.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

60-62

% manganese

A supplier's elemental manganese range for nearly dry powder. It describes the ingredient, not the amount in finished dog food.

Manganese 60-62%8
Manganous oxide 78-80%8
Iron 6%9
Silica 6%9
Alumina 3%9

Manganese is part of the oxide, so those rows overlap. Supplier figures are rounded dry matter approximations because the powders contain little moisture. The minor mineral values describe one supplier's typical product, not every batch.8,9

Why it is in the bag

A real manganese source, used in trace amounts

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Manufacturers add manganous oxide to meet the food's manganese target, and an EFSA review judged it an efficacious manganese source for animals. It is not filler: the powder is mostly manganese, so a small pinch does the job. Ingredient lists run by weight, and it sits far down among the minerals, so it adds no bulk, protein or energy. Its whole value is that one mineral.6,8,10

  1. 01

    Supplies required manganese

    Formulators add a manganese source to meet the nutrient target for the food's life stage. Manganese supports normal enzyme activity and growth.3,4

  2. 02

    Concentrates a small dose

    Feed grade powder contains about 60 to 62% manganese. Its high concentration lets a premix deliver a trace nutrient without adding meaningful bulk to the recipe.6,8

  3. 03

    Produced at scale

    A documented feed grade plant produced about 9,000 tons of oxide annually from manganese concentrate. That scale makes it a practical bulk input for mineral premixes.6,7

How much No standard recipe amount is published; formulators account for manganese from the whole diet when setting the oxide addition.3,4

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Manganous oxide supplies manganese dogs need

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    An EFSA appraisal of a manufacturer dossier judged the oxide an effective manganese source for animals. AAFCO sets 5 mg/kg dry food as the adult maintenance minimum. Neither source measures oxide absorption in dogs.3,4

  2. Brands say

    Chelated manganese always absorbs better than oxide

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a controlled broiler study, oxide gave 83% of sulfate's bone manganese response in older birds, while a proteinate gave 125%. Those results do not prove that a chelate always benefits dogs eating complete food.1

  3. Brands say

    Manganous oxide prevents joint disease

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    EFSA links manganese deficiency with skeletal abnormalities, and AAFCO sets an adult minimum of 5 mg/kg dry food. A nutrient requirement is not evidence that adding this oxide prevents arthritis in a dog already eating an adequate diet.3,4

  4. Owners say

    Industrial manganous oxide makes kibble toxic

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The 2013 EFSA appraisal judged manganous oxide safe as a feed source within authorized total manganese limits. Its inhalation and irritation warnings concern people handling concentrated powder, not dogs eating a properly formulated food.3

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It supplies manganese, a nutrient required in complete dog food. Minerals belong among the small additions near the end of an ingredient list. This powder is not there to bulk up kibble.4,6

  2. Q02

    Is sulfate better for dogs?

    Not proven

    Oxide gave a weaker bone manganese response than sulfate in one broiler study. That comparison cannot rank finished dog foods, and the label does not reveal how much manganese a dog absorbs from the complete recipe.1

  3. Q03

    Should I add more manganese?

    Usually no

    Check the nutritional adequacy statement first. A food labeled complete and balanced must meet a nutrient profile or pass a feeding trial. Seeing manganous oxide on the list gives no reason to add another supplement.5

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Royal Canin 158 / 161
  2. Hill's 82 / 117
  3. Nulo 49 / 117
  4. Nutro 45 / 71
  5. Now Fresh 26 / 35
  6. Horizon 25 / 27
  7. Go! Solutions 22 / 46
  8. Iams 21 / 32
  9. Bil-Jac 20 / 32
  10. Eukanuba 18 / 35

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 25 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #6 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
  2. #10 Iams Proactive Health MiniChunks Chicken & Whole Grains Dry Dog Food
  3. #13 Hill’s Science Diet Adult 1-6 Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
  4. #21 Hill’s Science Diet Adult 1-6 Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
  5. #24 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
  6. #29 Royal Canin Small Adult Dry Dog Food
  7. #40 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
  8. #42 Iams Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken Fat 55%
  2. Natural Flavor 47%
  3. Brewers Rice 40%
  4. Chicken 37%
  5. Mixed Tocopherols 36%
  6. Chicken Meal 33%
  7. Dried Plain Beet Pulp 28%
  8. Brown Rice 26%
  9. Chicken By-Product Meal 25%
  10. Flaxseed 24%
  11. Peas 23%
  12. Corn 18%

On the shelf

Foods that list Manganous Oxide

612 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Zignature Essence LIR Landfowl Recipe Food Can Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Essence LIR Landfowl Recipe Food Can Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelZignature Essence LIR Ranch Recipe Food Can Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Essence LIR Ranch Recipe Food Can Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelZignature Original Food Turkey Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Turkey Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelZignature Original Food Kangaroo Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Kangaroo Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelCanidae Pure Grain-Free Real Wild Boar & Garbanzo Bean Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Grain-Free Real Wild Boar & Garbanzo Bean Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelGravy Train Ground Dinner With Chicken Wet Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Ground Dinner With Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelNature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelKismet Shakers Daily Multivitamin Formula Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe Dog Food TopperKismetKismet Shakers Daily Multivitamin Formula Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 13 on the labelNature’s Recipe Easy to Digest Chicken Meal, Rice, & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Easy to Digest Chicken Meal, Rice, & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelGravy Train Beefy Classic Dry Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Beefy Classic Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Hydrolyzed Protein PS Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Hydrolyzed Protein PS Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the label
Show 48 more
Zignature Original Food Lamb Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Lamb Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelZignature Original Food Puppy Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Puppy Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelZignature Original Food Zssential Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Zssential Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Recipe Large Breed Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Recipe Large Breed Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelCanidae Under The Sun Grain-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under The Sun Grain-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelCanidae Pure Grain-Free Real Lamb, Goat & Venison Meals Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Grain-Free Real Lamb, Goat & Venison Meals Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelCanidae Pure Grain-Free Real Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Grain-Free Real Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelCanidae Pure Grain-Free Healthy Weight Real Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Grain-Free Healthy Weight Real Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Recipe Original Senior Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Original Senior Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNature’s Recipe Original Adult Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Original Adult Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelCanidae Pure Grain-Free Real Lamb & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Grain-Free Real Lamb & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelGravy Train Meaty Ground Dinner With Beef & Bacon Wet Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Meaty Ground Dinner With Beef & Bacon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelNature’s Recipe Original Small Bites Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Original Small Bites Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelNature’s Recipe Original Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Original Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelCanidae Pure Grain-Free Small Breed Real Chicken, Potato & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Grain-Free Small Breed Real Chicken, Potato & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelCanidae Pure Puppy Grain-Free Real Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Puppy Grain-Free Real Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Chicken Chunks Wet Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Chicken Chunks Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelRoyal Canin Medium Dental Care Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Medium Dental Care Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the labelNature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelEukanuba Puppy with Lamb & Rice Wet Dog FoodEukanubaEukanuba Puppy with Lamb & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Early Cardiac Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Early Cardiac Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PD Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PD Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Moderate Calorie Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Moderate Calorie Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein Adult PV Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein Adult PV Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelHill’s Prescription Diet i/d Sensitive Digestive Care Rice & Egg Formula Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Prescription Diet i/d Sensitive Digestive Care Rice & Egg Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelRoyal Canin Small Dental Care Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Small Dental Care Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelGo! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Venison Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Venison Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelCanidae All Life Stages Large Breed Formula Turkey Meal & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae All Life Stages Large Breed Formula Turkey Meal & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Beef Chunks Wet Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Beef Chunks Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the label4health Stews Chicken Vegetable Stew For Dogs Wet Dog Food4health4health Stews Chicken Vegetable Stew For Dogs Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelAuthority Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Dry Dog FoodAuthorityAuthority Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelDr. Tim’s Momentum Highly Active Dry Dog FoodDr. Tim'sDr. Tim’s Momentum Highly Active Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelRayne Nutrition Rabbit Maint Quinoa Rabbit-Maint with Quinoa Dry Dog FoodRayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Rabbit Maint Quinoa Rabbit-Maint with Quinoa Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelGo! Solutions Sensitivities Insect Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Sensitivities Insect Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PR Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PR Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein KO Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein KO Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Large Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Large Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelNature’s Recipe Large Breed Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Large Breed Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelNature’s Recipe Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Pollock Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Pollock Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelIams ProActive Health Adult High Protein Dry Dog FoodIamsIams ProActive Health Adult High Protein Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelGo! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Turkey Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelKibbles n Bits Original Savory Beef & Chicken Flavors Dry Dog FoodKibbles n BitsKibbles n Bits Original Savory Beef & Chicken Flavors Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 18 on the labelGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With T-Bone Flavor Chunks Wet Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With T-Bone Flavor Chunks Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Canine Selected Protein PR loaf Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Canine Selected Protein PR loaf Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelRayne Nutrition Adult Health RSS Adult Health-RSS Dry Dog FoodRayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Adult Health RSS Adult Health-RSS Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 18 on the labelRayne Nutrition Low Fat Kangaroo Maint Dry Dog FoodRayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Low Fat Kangaroo Maint Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 18 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked September 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Relative biological availability of manganese from manganese proteinate, manganese sulfate, and manganese monoxide in broilers reared at elevated temperatures Poultry Science, 1995 // Journal
  2. 2 Inorganic contaminants and composition analysis of commercial feed grade mineral compounds available in Costa Rica International Journal of Food Contamination, 2015 // Journal
  3. 3 Scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of manganese compounds (E5) as feed additives for all species: manganous oxide and manganous sulphate monohydrate, based on a dossier submitted by Eramet & Comilog Chemicals S.A EFSA Journal, 2013 // Regulator
  4. 4 AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles AAFCO, 2014 // Regulator
  5. 5 “Complete and Balanced” Pet Food U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  6. 6 What’s in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  7. 7 Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production: Competitive Business - Cleaner Environment - Green Economy UNIDO Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Demonstration Project in Georgia, 2016 // Nonprofit
  8. 8 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET: Manganese Oxide - Feed Grade Manganese Products Corporation, 2014 // Industry
  9. 9 Manganese Oxide Rohera Minerals Pvt. Ltd., n.d. // Industry
  10. 10 Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of manganese compounds (E5) as feed additives for all animal species: manganous oxide, based on a dossier submitted by Poortershaven Industriële Mineralen B.V. EFSA Journal (AGRIS record, FAO), 2013 // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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