Dogs need different types of nutrients to survive: amino acids from protein, fatty acids and carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Your dog’s unique nutritional requirements will depend on his size, breed, and stage of life, among other factors. A better understanding of how dogs use the various nutrients in dog foods and nutritional supplements and how much of them they need can help you choose a healthier diet for your pet.
PROTEINS AND AMINO ACIDS
Dogs cannot survive without protein in their diets. Dietary protein contains 10 specific amino acids that dogs cannot produce on their own. Known as essential amino acids, they provide the building blocks for many important proteins and biologically active compounds. In addition, they donate the carbon chains necessary to produce glucose for energy. High-quality proteins have a good balance of all the essential amino acids. Studies show that dogs can tell when their food is missing a single amino acid and will avoid that food. Dogs have been known to selectively choose foods high in protein. Whether this is simply a matter of taste or a complex response to your biological needs for the 10 essential amino acids is not known. However, dogs can survive on a vegetarian diet as long as it contains enough protein and is supplemented with vitamin D in dog nutritional supplements.
FATS AND FATTY ACIDS
Dietary fats, primarily derived from animal fats and seed oils from various plants, provide the most concentrated source of energy in the diet. They supply essential fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize and serve as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins. Fatty acids play a role in cell structure and function. Dietary fats also tend to improve the flavor and texture of the dog’s food. Essential fatty acids are necessary to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. Puppies fed very low-fat diets develop dry, coarse hair and skin lesions that become increasingly vulnerable to infection. Deficiencies in the so-called “omega-3” family of essential fatty acids may be associated with vision problems and impaired learning ability. Another family of essential fatty acids called “omega-6” has been shown to have important physiological effects in the body.
Providing important nutrients through a healthy diet and nutritional supplements for dogs will go a long way in ensuring a long and healthy life for your family dog.
