This study investigated the effects of chitosan on mineral metabolism in rats exposed to cadmium by oral administration. Six week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups. Four groups were fed AIN-93G based 3% ${alpha}$-cellulose diets and the other four groups were fed 3% chitosan diets for four weeks with the oral administration of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg Cd/2ml distilled water three times per week, respectively. The essential mineral contents of serum, liver, kidney and bone (femur and lumbar), and the excretion of calcium in feces and urine were determined. There was no significant difference in weight gain and food intake among groups. The cadmium administration significantly decreased calcium in serum, iron in blood, calcium and iron in liver and iron contents in kidney. In contrast, calcium and zinc contents in kidney increased by the administration of cadmium. The weight, length and breaking forces of the femur and lumbar were not significantly different due to cadmium administration and chitosan among the groups. The fecal excretion of calcium was increased by the administration of cadmium. On the other hand, calcium absorption and the absorption rate were decreased by Cd administration. In the groups without Cd administered (N, N-Chi groups), chitosan significantly decreased the absorption rate of calcium by increasing the excretion in feces (p<0.05). These results suggest that cadmium administration may facilitate the decline of essential minerals in rats and also, chitosan may have a conflicting effect between cadmium and the essential minerals of tissues.