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6 Essential Nutrients for Dogs

A well-balanced, super food for dogs contains the right amount of essential nutrients – vitamins and minerals, protein-based amino acids, as well as essential fatty acids. Dog nutritional requirements differ from breed-to-breed, and even from dog-to-dog born of the same litter.

Why are essential nutrients important?

Puppy feeding guidelines differ from those in an adult dog feeding guide. Dog nutrition is vitally important, no matter how old your dog is because a diet boosted with healthy, nutrient-rich super foods will keep her happy, healthy, and active for longer.

Common nutritional disorders in dogs result in health conditions, allergic reactions to certain foods, or malnourishment. Dog nutritional disorders affect the digestive tract and digestion in general, absorption of nutrients via the blood stream, and metabolism within those blood cells.

A dog lacking nutrients runs the risk of developing skin or coat disorders, such as mange, skin allergies, or even cancer. As the skin is the largest organ in mammals, it stands to reason that the skin and coat of your dog is going to be the first place you’d go to if you thought there were deficiencies in her diet.

Dogs with a nutrient-deficient diet are also at risk for tooth decay and other dental hygiene problems such as a build-up of plaque (either from a lack of daily brushing or from a lack of good quality dry food and chewables). Though not always possible, brushing your dog’s teeth daily can save you big bucks in the long run, and give you many hours of fun and laughter while trying to get it right.

What causes nutritional disorders in dogs?

Nutritional deficiencies aren’t always about what we didn’t feed them. Sometimes it’s also about overfeeding them nutrients, too.

Just as with humans, nutritional deficiencies in dogs are about what essential nutrients they either aren’t getting in their current diets or that they are unable to process the nutrients they are getting.

Figure 1: 5 common nutritional deficiencies in dogs

Managing allergic reactions

Just like humans, some dogs are pre-disposed to allergic reactions in certain foods such as wheat, additives, certain meats, and salt. A grain-free diet may replace the grain-based starch used in ordinary dog food with potato-based starch, for example. Other foods may replace meat-based proteins with soy when a dog is allergic to chicken, for instance.

In the case of allergies, it’s best to consult your veterinary specialist for the best possible alternatives you can feed your pooch, rather than playing the hit-and-miss game with little or no information to go on. We recommend trying an elimination diet trial – in consultation with your vet – to determine which food ingredients cause allergic reactions and identify food ingredients that are safe for her to eat.

An elimination trial diet generally involves replacing the ingredients that cause reactions with food that she has not yet eaten in her diet. You could replace chicken (a common source of meat-based allergies in dogs) with duck or turkey (which are both less allergenic than chicken).

The idea behind the change to a novel ingredient is to monitor your dog’s condition for signs of improvement. This process works for cats, too, but close monitoring in both dogs and cats is necessary in case of adverse reactions to the novel ingredient(s).

Be aware that your dog’s environment plays a huge role in her overall health and wellness. Allergies may also be caused by dust mites, fleas, certain grasses, or even laundry detergent when washing bedding.

Managing weight concerns

Mammals – and thus we and our dogs – have specific metabolic needs. At resting rate (not exercising), a dog requires a set amount of calories to manage that energy. An active dog needs more.

Because vets and specialists have varying opinions on obesity in dogs and cats, preventing or slowing obesity in your pooch could be a frustrating process. A healthy metabolic rate needs strong, healthy muscles to maintain that rate. Exercise and essential nutrients are critical considerations when discussing your dog’s obesity concerns with your vet.

Breed-specific dietary needs

There are currently anywhere between 167 and 340 recognized dog breeds, and although all dogs generally have somewhat similar nutritional needs, ideal nutrient ratios may differ across breeds. Breed-specific needs take breed sizes into account, which includes toy (Pomeranian), small (Jack Russell), large (Rottweiler), and giant (Great Dane). These are examples only, intended to highlight size variations. Your vet is better placed to identify your dog’s specific breed and size.

According to PetMD however, breed-specific dog foods are irrelevant when not backed by research and scientific evidence – which does not yet exist. Rather consider a high-quality diet that will meet your dog’s specific age, size, and lifestyle needs.

Feeding your puppy

Much like breed-specific needs, puppies may require specific diets or supplements. We recommend that pooch parents steer clear of foods that claim to be “balanced and complete for all life stages” and rather feed her a puppy-specific dog food until you’re sure in your heart that she’s ready to move to adult dog food.

Remember that the ratio of essential nutrients is just as critical as how much you feed her. When introducing a new diet for your puppy, be sure to follow the “phasing-in” instructions normally found on the back of packaging.

Feeding needs for your senior dog

As dogs age, their caloric needs diminish. Due in part to their level of activity and/or old injuries and joint pain, your vet can tell you approximately how old your pooch is, and whether or not she can now be considered a senior dog – and if her diet can be switched to cater for senior dietary needs.

The 7:1 human-dog year ratio mostly holds true, but differs slightly due to size. Large dog breeds age faster than smaller breeds, where small breeds are considered senior at about 10-12 years, while medium-sized breeds become seniors at around 8-9 years. For large and giant breeds, 6-7 years old is considered senior.

Be sure to take her teeth and gums into consideration when thinking about switching brands. Senior dogs need a dog food that is easily chewed and digested. Also think about joint health and muscle tone when counting calories for your senior.

Correcting malnourishment issues

Rescued pets and dogs with nutrient deficiencies have very specific dietary needs. Malnourished dogs also need fresh, clean water at all times to remain hydrated. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Malnourished and underweight dogs will have lost more than 10% of their normal body weight.

Proper care for malnourished dogs includes taking very specific precautions, and being aware of the dog’s overall health. Use the handy checklist below to ask very specific questions of your vet when examining an undernourished dog:

  • Does your vet issue an individual animal chart to track the dog’s progress?
  • Has a thorough inspection for any identifying markers (ear/thigh tattoos and/or microchips) been done (if a rescued dog)?
  • Has a full physical exam been done on the dog when she’s in a standing position?
  • Where are the dog’s temperature, weight, (including breed-estimated normal weight), identifying markers, and physical exam results recorded on the chart?

DID YOU KNOW?

Omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids regulate immune systems in mammals?

Understanding product packaging on pet food

Depending on who you talk to and what questions you ask, you’re sure to be bombarded with well-meaning or veterinary advice on the best possible food you should be feeding your pooch. What that wonderful advice doesn’t take into account is that his dog is not your dog, and her pup needs more than my adult girl does. With so much information to choose from, it’s not easy deciding which food is going to be best for your dog.

To figure out which diet will be most suitable for your dog, it’s advisable that you first check her overall health status and eliminate or highlight any concerns you may have. Modern dog food packaging regulations stipulate that each bag has to display the ingredients of the bag, and a recommended feeding guide for the breed, age, or custom diet plan that bag advocates or is recommended for.

It’s also really difficult comparing one brand to another, ingredient for ingredient. Beef is beef, right? Well … no.

Generally, the ingredient list runs in quantity order, with the highest concentration of a specific ingredient listed first. 20% beef (for instance) could mean anything from 70% of total product to “beef dinner”, which contains about 10% of total product or “with beef”, which is 3-10% of total product but “beef flavor” means beef can only be detected by tasting the product (less than 3%). Flavorants could also be labelled as “palatability enhancers” or similar-sounding words.

What are the essential nutrients my dog needs?

By now, you’re overwhelmed by information you have to consider before you’ve even fed your new puppy her first-ever meal at home. Keeping this information in mind, how do you ensure that your dog’s new food contains all the essential nutrients she specifically needs? Whether you decide to feed your dog only high quality store-bought food or prepare homemade dog food for your pooch, always make sure that it contains all the correct nutrients.

Figure 2: Essential nutrients in a dog’s diet

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Water

  • The most essential of all nutrients, even just a 5-10% water deficiency can cause dehydration in dogs, and may even be fatal if left unchecked.
  • Dogs need between 0.5 and 1 oz. (15-30 g) of clean water per pound (per 2kg) of body weight daily. 
  • Water is a source of essential moisture for your dog, needed to keep her coat, skin and organs in tip-top shape.

Protein

  • Protein is an essential macronutrient that can also convert into an important source of energy.
  • Dogs generally create core amino acids when digesting food, and their digestive systems convert protein to energy when there is an abundance of protein in their diet.
  • Digestive amino acids are responsible for maintaining a dog’s immune system, muscle, skin, coat, and nails, so it is critical that their diet contains the right amount of protein for their needs.
  • While dogs (and cats) are able to create “some” amino acids themselves, so-called “essential amino acids” can only come from a protein-enriched diet.
  • The species-appropriate RDA for protein will vary based on age, breed, overall health, how active your pooch is, and what brand or type of dog food you’re using (eg. dry pellets or wet food), but an average of 18-24% protein in ingredients is sufficient for most dogs.

Fats

  • Omega-3, -6, and -9 (the omegas) fatty acids (second of three macronutrients) provide your pooch with energy, help absorb vitamins and minerals, support joint health, and promote heart and brain health (just like in humans).
  • Omega-9 (monosaturated fat) is mainly produced by the body in sufficient quantities, but can be boosted with vegetable and seed oils, nuts and seeds.  * Omega-9 is not considered an essential fatty acid.
  • Omega-6 (polysaturated fat) abounds in nuts and seeds, foods cooked in vegetable oil, and some refined vegetable oils. * An abundance of omega-6 creates an environment ripe for inflammation, anxiety and depression.
  • Omega-3 (another polysaturated fat) is found mainly in oily fish, such as sardines, mackerel, anchovy, and some plant-based foods such as pumpkin and chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseed. In dog food, the best type of omega-3 is mainly taken from fish and algae.  * Essential in a mammal’s diet, omega-3 is critically important for wound healing and has amazing anti-inflammatory properties.
  • It’s difficult to measure the RDA on most dog food packaging because fats are generally lumped together in one overall percentage, but if your pooch likes the taste of fish, a fish-based diet may be just what you’re looking for, or you could enhance her diet with fish-based oils.

Carbohydrates

DID YOU KNOW?

Essential to the kibble-making process, cheaper, and boasting a long shelf-life, carbohydrates are the dominant ingredient in most dry dog foods.

  • Current FDA labelling rules require the inclusion of only four nutrients on packaging: protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. To calculate the carb content, simply withdraw the percentages displayed from 100%.
  • Carbohydrates is the last of three macronutrients and contains starch, sugar, and fiber, which is crucial to your dog’s healthy digestive system.
  • Carbohydrates are found in corn and wheat, and in grain-free sources like sweet potato, peas, legumes, lentils, chickpeas, and white potato.

Vitamins

  • Essential micronutrients derived from plants and animals. 
  • Aid in the metabolic process, strengthen bones and teeth, keep fur and skin healthy, keep her eyesight good, help the nervous system function properly, regulate hormones, balance immune responses, and are required for overall energy management.
  • Essential vitamins dissolve in water and are flushed out by the body.Vitamin C produced naturally in the body and not required as a supplement.

Minerals

  • Essential nutrients derived from soil and water 
  • Benefits include building strong bones, transmitting nerve impulses, provide oxygen to organs and muscles, maintaining a normal heartbeat, and keeping bones and joints healthy.
  • Trace minerals (occurring in small quantities) are found in chicken, turkey, spinach, sardines, beef, broccoli, kale, flax seeds, rabbit, egg, pumpkin seeds, kelp, and in herbs such as chamomile, parsley, and fennel.

In conclusion, no matter which dog food you choose to feed your dog, quality, ingredients, and digestibility should be your key considerations. Recommendations are that your dog’s diet should be age-specific, condition-specific, and based on the level of activity she presents to maintain her overall health and well-being for many years to come.