What kind of nutrients does a dog need?
Put simply, a dog needs the same basic nutrients that a human does. These are:
Proteins
Fats
Carbohydrates
Minerals
Vitamins
Although humans and dogs share a need for many of the same basic nutrients in their diets, the difference is that dogs need these nutrients in different amounts, and in different forms, than humans do. This is an approximate guide to each of the essential nutrients in a canine diet, and how much of them are required. Of course, you should take into account that the quantities obviously vary from one type of dog to another, and that breed, size, age, and level of activity all affect the dog's individual nutritional needs. The difference between a puppy's needs, for example, and the needs of an elderly and largely inactive dog, are extremely different. You should always check with a veterinarian if you're in doubt about what to feed your dog, and how much.
Proteins
Proteins can be likened to “body-building blocks”, because they are essential to the body for growth and repair. Made up of various combinations of amino acids, proteins are broken down by the dog's digestive system so that the amino acids can be used by the body. For the amino acids to be used effectively by the body, there must also be correct amounts of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates present in the diet. It is, after all, a chemical reaction, and it won't work properly if all the components are not present.
Dogs need high-protein diets – generally speaking, this means about 18-20% of the total daily food ration.
Fats
Most of us tend to think of fat in a diet as a pretty negative thing. Too much of it is, certainly! But fat is an important source of heat and energy in the diet. It just needs to be the right sort of fat. There are three essential fatty acids that are particularly important for a dog: arachidonic, linolenic, and linoleic. These are found in vegetable and animal fats, like linseed oil, corn oil, bacon grease, lard, and other ingredients.
As well as the provision of heat and energy, fatty acids benefit the nervous system and the immune system. Not only that, but they are necessary for healthy skin – without it, hair will likely be dry and coarse, and skin can become scaly or flakey.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, like fats, are a source of energy. They are found in vegetables and green plants, starches, and sugars, and are normally supplied in the form of bulk and/or fiber in commercially produced dog foods.
Minerals
Minerals are what helps your dog to grow properly. For the formation and growth of solid teeth and bnes, calcium and phosphorous are the important ones, while minerals such as iron, cobalt and copper are necessary in the makeup of the red blood cells. These are the major ones, but there are other minerals needed in slightly smaller quantities (sometimes just a trace) in order for your dog to maintain good health.
Vitamins
Vitamins are necessary to prevent a wide variety of things, such as rickets, poor skin condition, poor hair condition, loss of appetite, and nervous conditions. Dogs use vitamins A, B, D, and E in their nutrition. They use vitamin C as well, but this is actually synthesized in the dog's own body, so it doesnt need to be supplied in the diet.
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