What nutrients do dogs need

Nutrition for dogs

1. Protein

Protein is the most basic nutrient. Lack of protein can lead to anemia, slow growth, weight loss, and decreased immunity. Dogs can synthesize 12 amino acids themselves, and the other 10 need to be obtained from food.

2. Water

If the water in the dog's body is insufficient, it will cause the dog's severe thirst, which will greatly reduce its appetite, indigestion, lower disease resistance, slow down blood circulation and even blockage. The main function of water is to promote metabolism, regulate body temperature and so on.

3. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates include various sugars, starch and plant cellulose, and the sugar with the simplest structure is the easiest to digest. Adult dogs cannot digest lactose, which is mostly found in milk, but adult dogs can handle the most common sucrose.

4. Mineral trace elements

Mineral elements needed in the animal body are essential, it is an important component of tissue cells in the animal body, and is also an important element for bone growth. At the same time, it is an indispensable ingredient for the synthesis of other vitamins, hormones, and enzymes. Trace mineral elements play an important role in promoting the body's metabolism, blood coagulation, nerve regulation and maintaining the normal activities of the heart.

5. Fat

Fat is an important energy substance. Fat deficiency manifests as rough coat, fatigue and weakness, reproductive disorder, hormone secretion disorder and neurological dysfunction. Therefore, the fat content of dogs needs to be well controlled. Dogs that are too thin or too fat are not healthy for dogs.

6. Vitamins

Vitamins play an important role in regulating physiological functions, can enhance the functions of the nervous system, blood vessels, muscles and various organs, and participate in the composition of the enzyme system. Vitamin deficiency can lead to metabolic disorders and even death. Dogs can only synthesize a small amount of vitamins by themselves, and most of them are supplemented by feed. Usually, pet owners need to pay attention to supplementing vitamins for dogs.