Did you know that the percentage of malnourished dogs yearly ranges between 25% and 65%?
As a pet parent, you might wonder how and what to feed your dog to boost his health and happiness.
Provide your dog with a balanced canine diet including five essential nutrients: Protein, Carbohydrates, Water, Vitamins, and Minerals.
Moreover, a healthy diet for a pup must have the correct amount of minerals, vitamins, specific essential amino acids, and fatty acids to ensure overall health.
Read on to learn more about the essential nutrients that your pup needs.
Why your dog requires balanced food?
Dogs need certain nutrients for their bodies to grow normally, and the quality of the diet directly affects their voluptuous hair and overall health.
Feeding your canine foods lacking in specific nutrients, including vitamin D, calcium, or proteins, might result in dangerous conditions that frequently have irreversible effects.
Problems that occur due to under nutrition can sometimes be unidentified and severe. This is why you should keep an eye on your dog’s diet.
An adult dog’s meal should composite 18% protein, 50% carbohydrates, and 5.5% fats daily.
It will be best if you add vegetables and fruits to fuel the requirements of vitamins and minerals.
5 Essential Nutrients For Your Dog
Dogs are playful and energetic. Thus, their body requires high energy to remain active throughout the day.
Here is the list of nutrients you should include while planning a pet’s diet.
1.Protein
Protein is vital in producing energy and building skin, nails, muscles, and bones. However, an animal’s body cannot store this nutrient for long. So, you should provide a steady supply of protein through diet.
Did you know that a balanced adult dog meal must contain a minimum of 18% protein daily?
The amino acids your dog consumes from food are the building blocks of protein. Therefore, it will be best to look for dog foods with natural, high-quality proteins as the first component.
How protein benefits dogs?
- Protein is necessary for maintaining energy levels to thrive daily.
- It helps to maintain and repair cells and tissues, including bone, muscle, and hair.
- It helps to strengthen the immune system.
- It helps to build hormones and enzymes.
The dog food must include at least 50% meat content within it.
Despite giving proper nourishment, sometimes pups cannot retrieve the nutrition due to illnesses or body issues. It can lead to deficiency gradually.
Signs of protein deficiency in pups
- Reduced growth rate.
- Less milk production.
- Weight loss.
- Anemia
You can serve various protein-rich foods based on your dog’s taste preferences and other nutritional requirements.
Here is the list of foods that are rich in protein:
- Fish
- Beef
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Pork
- Soybean
- Chickpeas
2.Carbohydrates
Dogs usually have high energy needs; therefore, you should feed them enough carbs.
The body needs glucose to produce rapid energy and to suffice the brain and neurological system to operate normally.
Their body can transform certain forms of carbohydrates into glucose to absorb quickly.
The dog’s meal must include 50% carbohydrates.
How do carbohydrates benefit dogs?
- It provides energy in the form of sugars.
- It provides the necessary fiber to the diet.
- It keeps your dog energized and satisfied every day.
- It maintains colon health and aids digestion.
- It controls body temperature.
- It supports the neurological system.
Here is the list of foods that contain Carbohydrates:
- Oats
- Brown Rice
- Barley
- Millet
- Wheat
- Corn
- Potatoes
Problems that occur due to lack of carbohydrates:
- Reduced appetite
- Reduced growth and muscle development
- Weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
However, your dog will get obese if it consumes too many carbohydrate-rich foods and doesn’t move enough. It is because the stored glycogen will turn into fatty deposits in the body.
Therefore, you should engage them in exercises and outdoor activities more often.
Also, dogs may experience dull coats and dry, itchy skin if their fat levels are too low. So, you should add a little fat to their food.
3.Water
Did you know that 70% to 80% of an adult dog’s body weight is made up of water?
Your dog won’t be able to function properly without water. Water has various bodily functions, including aiding digestion, controlling body temperature, nutrient absorption, and many more.
Hence, you should make sure your dog has access to a sufficient amount of fresh water every day.
How water benefits dogs?
- It helps with digestion.
- It helps in nutrient transportation in and out of the body’s cells.
- It helps to lubricate joints.
- It enhances mental performance.
- It supports the brain and spinal cord.
Remember, your dogs should drink around one ounce of water per pound of their body weight daily.
Effects of less water composition in dog’s body:
- Dehydration
- Unconsciousness
- Kidney Failure.
- Bladder infection.
- Urinary tract infection.
Signs your dog needs more water:
- Painting
- Low energy
- Lack of appetite.
- Sunken eyes.
- Dry nose.
- Thick saliva.
- Tacky gums.
Dogs do not show any signs until they are 5% dehydrated. However, if it prolongs, then your pup can be at risk.
Therefore, you should always put a fresh and clean water bowl within your pet’s reach.
4.Vitamins
Vitamins are crucial for the growth and maintenance of your dog’s health and play numerous essential roles in its diet.
Your dog should be getting many necessary vitamins to keep them healthy and content.
How do different vitamins Benefits Dogs?
- Vitamin D controls calcium and phosphorus levels in a dog’s body.
- Vitamin A strengthens the immune system.
- Vitamin E and vitamin C are antioxidants.
- Vitamin K and B12 keep the nervous system healthy and prevent blood clots.
Here is the list of foods that contain Vitamins:
- Kale
- Carrots
- Pumkin
- Fish
- Nori
- Chia seeds.
- Sweet potatoes.
Problems that occur due to lack of vitamins:
- Hair loss.
- Skin infections.
- Lethargy
- Excessive thirst.
- Heavy drooling.
- Joint disease.
- Weight loss.
You might prefer giving your dog vitamins from fresh and whole foods. However, if your dog lacks any vitamins, you can provide extra supplements by consulting your vet.
5.Minerals
Like vitamins, minerals play several vital roles in a dog’s diet.
Some general activities of minerals include bone and cartilage production, hormone regulation, oxygen flow, and nerve and muscle function, even if different minerals have varied advantages.
Dog’s balanced diet must contain primary minerals like Iron, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Calcium, Phosphorous, and Manganese.
How Minerals Benefit Dogs?
- A significant amount of bone tissue is composed of calcium and phosphorus.
- Iron aids in the body’s oxygen transport system.
- Zinc promotes effective wound healing.
- Selenium contributes to the support of antioxidants.
- Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium support fluid balance and nerve transmission.
Here is the list of minerals-rich foods:
- Meat
- Cereals
- Fish
- Nuts
- Beans
- Molases
Minerals are more necessary for pups’ skeleton and teeth development during their early age.
Problems that occur due to lack of minerals:
- Bone deformity.
- Weakness
- Prone to fractures and cracks.
- Stiff joints.
- Digestive issues.
Your dog may be deficient in some trace minerals if you give him the exact item daily. As a result, rotate the above-mentioned mineral-rich foods in your dog’s diet.
Also, you can give him supplements by consulting with a vet.
Conclusion:
As a dog parent, you should always provide the best for your furry members, starting with the food you serve.
Nutrients help build the cellular process and keep organs working at an optimal level.
Therefore, you must comprehend the nutritional needs and decide what to feed your dog.
