Seven Nutrients Your Dog Needs to Succeed in Dog Nutrition

We wish to provide the best for our family as pet parents. However, because pet companies are abandoning the "one size fits all" approach to nutrition, it can occasionally feel overwhelming. The days of being able to choose from a limited number of dog food brands at your neighborhood market and feel secure in the knowledge that you are purchasing exactly what your dog needs to flourish are long gone. There are many items available today that will allow you to customize your dog's diet, but there is also a deluge of information about them that may easily become confusing.

It shouldn't be frightening to feed your four-legged friend; read on to find out what they actually require so you may feed them with assurance.
What Should You Know Right Away About the Food Your Dog Eats?
Even your pet may find it difficult to understand nutrient requirements, food labels, component lists, food safety, and food marketing. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is one of the best resources available to help you navigate these hazy seas. This private, nonprofit group aids in defining the components of pet food and makes sure that products have been properly analyzed and include the nutrients they need. Making sure your selection has an AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement is the first step if, like the majority of pet owners, you're searching for the highest quality food for your dog. "The food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, or is intended for supplemental feeding only," according to this statement.

Additionally, studies indicate that when dogs are fed well-balanced commercial dog food, nutritional problems are uncommon in developed nations. Dogs who are fed unbalanced homemade meals are more likely to have nutritional issues. Sometimes well-meaning pet owners hurt their animals by giving them homemade food that lacks essential nutrients. Or by inadvertently giving small Fido meals that are detrimental to their biology. Consult your veterinarian to make sure the diet is adequate, complete, and healthy for your dog if you decide to offer them homemade food. Dogs are omnivores, just like us, and can typically satisfy their nutritional demands by consuming a mix of plant and animal foods. Additionally, each dog is unique, and their dietary requirements will change according to breed, age, and activity level, just like people. However, you may be sure that your pet food contains at least six vital elements that the AAFCO says are necessary to support life and function in dogs if it bears a Nutritional Adequacy Statement from the AAFCO. Let's take a closer look at these six vital nutrients.

1. Water
Life is impossible without water. Numerous vital bodily processes, including controlling body temperature, metabolizing nutrition, lubricating joints, and safeguarding the nervous system, depend on this vitamin. Seventy to eighty percent of a senior dog's lean body mass is made up of water. As a general rule, you should give your dog at least one 8-ounce cup of water for every 10 pounds of body weight. Individual needs may differ depending on a number of factors, such as the dog's habitat, size, activity level, nutrition, and overall health. This amount is merely a starting estimate. Although factors like a dog's size, activity level, and habitat may be clear indicators of water intake, many people don't take into account how a dog's nutrition and general health may affect fluid intake. For instance, canned dog food typically contains around 80% water, whereas dry dog food typically has about 10%. Because of this, dogs that eat canned food typically consume less water than dogs that eat dry food. Additionally, they may require more water intake due to medical disorders including diabetes and hypothyroidism, as well as drugs provided by their veterinarian. A delicate health issue is water balance. A 10% drop in body water can lead to severe disease, and a 15% loss can be fatal, according to the ASPCA. Healthy dogs will self-regulate their water intake when given enough. Therefore, always keep those water bowls filled and consult your veterinarian if you observe any changes in your dog's water consumption.

2. Proteins
In canine physiology, protein is essential for the development and repair of muscles and other bodily tissues, the maintenance of new skin and hair cells, and the synthesis of substances like hormones that are necessary for regular operation. Ten particular amino acids that dogs cannot produce on their own are found in dietary protein and are necessary for the development of your pet's numerous biological tissues and components. The majority of commercial dog feeds have a mix of 75–90% digestible protein from both plant and animal sources. As long as the food includes enough protein and all the important amino acids, dogs can live on a vegetarian diet. They need less protein to achieve their demands, though, because meat-based protein has a higher bioavailability, which makes it easier to digest and use. Look for the protein sources mentioned in the first few components on the label to get a sense of the protein quality of the food your pet is eating. Chicken, beef, eggs, lamb, fish, and certain meat meals (like chicken meal), which are wholesome types of dehydrated meat, are a few examples of high-quality protein sources. Dogs' protein needs will vary according to their size, age, activity level, health, and diet's protein content. According to AAFCO guidelines, a dog's daily protein intake should consist of at least 22% dry matter for developing pups and 18% dry mass for mature dogs. According to recent studies, dogs of any age should consume no more than 30% of their dry mass in protein.

3. Body fat
Dietary fats are an essential component of a dog's diet, much like for people. Energy is produced by dietary fat, which also aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, reduces inflammation, preserves the integrity of cell membranes, and promotes healthy skin and coat. Animal fat and plant oils are the two main sources of fat in dog food. Dogs' dietary needs change with age; developing puppies' diets should have at least 8% fat as dry matter, while adult dogs' diets should include at least 5% fat as dry weight. Keep in mind that those are prerequisites. It is thought that the ideal diet for typical adult dogs is one that contains 10–15% fat.

4. Carbohydrates
For both energy and fiber, a dog's regular diet must include carbohydrates. A basic carbohydrate called glucose is specifically needed in sufficient quantities to power the brain and central nervous system. Conversely, fiber is necessary for a dog's healthy colon and regular gastrointestinal function. A diet rich in fiber promotes gut microbiota, normalizes transit time, and enhances fecal production. The appropriate quantity of carbs for a dog's diet will vary based on activity level and growth stage; there are no set amounts that are advised. Adult dogs should be fed a diet that contains at least 20% carbs, according to standard wisdom. Commercial food items usually have between 30 and 60 percent carbs, which is more than this requirement. Usually given in the form of plants and grains, you can check the ingredient list for things like barley, oats, brown rice, whole wheat, millet, or potatoes.

5. Vitamins
Dogs, like people, need to consume a variety of vitamins from their diet. These consist of choline, water-soluble B vitamins, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Unless a physician recommends it, a vitamin supplement shouldn't be required while your dog is eating a complete and balanced diet.AAFCO-certified commercial pet diets must be complete, balanced, and fortified with all necessary vitamins. These days, vitamin shortages are less common than over-supplementation with vitamins and minerals, which can be as detrimental to your pet. You can refer to AAFCO's Nutrient Requirements for Dogs table for further information.

6. Minerals
Minerals are nutrients that the animal cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through diet. Minerals are typically in charge of maintaining fluid equilibrium, metabolic efficiency, and the growth and upkeep of structural elements like bones and teeth. A healthy diet should include trace minerals such iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iodine as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride. The AAFCO released a Nutrient Requirements for Dogs table for your reference if you would want more information.

The seventh nutrient is omega-3.
According to recent research, omega-3 fatty acids—which dogs are unable to produce on their own—may really be the seventh necessary nutrient for dogs. The three most researched Omega-3 fatty acids—ALA, DHA, and EPA—all promote your pet's general health, just like they do in us. More precisely, Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to promote the health of your pet's heart, brain, immune system, joints, skin, and coat, as well as their behavior and mood.Commercial dog food products frequently contain ALA from plant foods, while DHA and EPA may be more difficult to find. Make careful to check the ingredient list of your pet's food for sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oils are typical sources of DHA and EPA, whereas flaxseed and canola oils are popular sources of ALA. Puppies should consume 0.13g/1,000kcal of DHA and EPA per 1,000kcal, whereas adults should consume 0.11g/1,000kcal, according to the National Research Council (NRC).

Is It Possible to Check Your Dog's Omega-3 Level?
Are you unsure whether giving your dog more omega-3s in their diet will be beneficial? You can only tell in one manner. Check their Omega-3 score. You may determine whether your dog's diet is providing enough EPA and DHA by doing an Omega-3 Index test, which looks at your pet's Omega-3 status over the last four months. The blood draw for your pet's Omega-3 Index test must be taken to your veterinarian, unlike the human test, which can be done at home. The percentage that shows the amount of EPA and DHA in their blood is determined by the Omega-3 Index test results. The optimal amount for pets, such as dogs and cats, is about 3%, with advantages reaching 8%. Adding EPA and DHA to your dog's diet through supplements, fortified dog food, or seafood is the most effective method to increase their Omega-3 Index. Retesting is advised during the three to four months it will take for your pet's Omega-3 Index to achieve a new level.It is recommended that you recheck your pet's values every six to twelve months after they have reached the correct level. Before including any human foods or supplements in your pet's diet, make sure to consult your veterinarian!

Five Nutritious Pointers for Your Four-Legged Family Member to Think About:
Asking your veterinarian for feeding advice is usually a smart idea. Here are some broad guidelines, nevertheless, to help you choose what to feed your pet for supper.

Guidelines for the nutritional value of commercial pet diets have been developed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Verify that the food your dog eats satisfies AAFCO requirements.

Choose foods with identifiable, natural, whole-food constituents. If you can only identify two to five ingredients from a list of twenty to thirty, it may be a sign that the dish is of low quality.

Protein, fat, fiber, and water content must all be listed on pet food labels. Keep in mind while reading labels that what might seem like a significant difference—for instance, 8% protein in canned dog food vs 27% protein in dry dog food—reflects the fact that the canned food contains more water. Generally speaking, canned food has more protein, fat, and water than dry food. Depending on your dog's demands and way of life, one may be more advantageous than the other, but neither is good or bad.

Think about the breed and way of life of your dogs. Think about the breed and way of life of your dogs. Was the Arctic Circle where your dog's breed originated? Or did they have a lengthy history of living in the desert? Are they lap dogs or herding dogs? These factors might assist you make decisions about what kind of diet is typical in your region of origin and how calorie-dense the food should be.

Dogs frequently don't get enough of certain nutrients from their diet, so measuring key fats like Omega-3s can help them maintain a healthy intake. Finding the right dosage of omega-3 EPA and DHA required to maintain an ideal Omega-3 Index can be aided by routine testing and modifying the quantity of these nutrients in your pet's diet.