A Comprehensive Analysis of the Nutritional Components of Dog Food
1. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for pets. To ensure survival, health, development, reproduction, heart beating, blood circulation, gastrointestinal motility, muscle contraction, and other activities of their physique, pets need a lot of energy, and 80% of the required energy is provided by carbohydrates. Carbohydrates include sugar and fiber.
The daily carbohydrate requirement for adult dogs is 10 g per kg body weight and about 15.8 g per kg body weight for puppies.
2. Protein
Protein is an important source of pet body tissues and body cells. Protein plays a variety of functions such as conduction, transportation, support, protection, and exercise. Protein also plays a major role in catalyzing, regulating, and maintaining life activities in pet life and physiological metabolic activities.
As carnivores, pet dogs have different digestibility of protein in different diets. Most animal viscera and fresh meat are 90-95% digested, while the protein in plant feeds such as soy is only 60-80% digested. If dog food contains too much indigestible plant protein, it can cause abdominal pain and even diarrhea, and excessive protein needs to be degraded by the liver and excreted by the kidneys, increasing the burden on the liver and kidneys. Generally, the protein requirement of adult dogs is 4-8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, and that of growing dogs is 9.6 grams.
3. Fat
Fat is an important component of pet body tissues, and it is involved in the formation and repair of almost all cells. Fat is contained in the skin, bones, muscles, nerves, blood, and internal organs of pets. The proportion of body fat in pet dogs is as high as 10-20% of their body weight;
Fat is the most important source of energy. Lack of fat can cause itchy skin, increased dander, rough and dry coat, and ear infections, making domestic dogs dull and nervous; and moderate intake of fat can stimulate appetite, make food more in line with their taste, and promote the development of fat-soluble vitamins. Absorption of A, D, E, K. The digestibility of fat by pet dogs can reach almost 100%. The fat requirement of adult dogs is 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, and that of growing dogs is 2.2 grams.
4. Minerals
Minerals are another indispensable nutrient for pet dogs. It includes the elements needed by the human body, such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron, and so on. Minerals are an important raw material for the collective organization of pet dogs, which helps to regulate the acid-base balance, muscle contraction, and nerve response in the body.
Calcium and phosphorus are most likely to be deficient in pet dogs. Deficiency can lead to many bone diseases, such as rickets, chondrosis (puppies), osteoporosis (adult dogs), paralysis of postpartum bitches, etc. An imbalance in the ratio of calcium to phosphorus can also lead to leg problems (leg lameness, etc.).
Generally, pet feed lacks sodium and chlorine, so a small amount of salt (electrolytes, potassium, sodium, and chlorine trace elements are indispensable) should be added to dog food. Iron deficiency will cause anemia; zinc deficiency will cause poor hair growth and dermatitis; manganese deficiency bone development Bad, thick legs; selenium deficiency muscle weakness; iodine deficiency will affect the synthesis of thyroxine.
5. Vitamins
Vitamin is a low molecular organic compound, that is necessary for a pet’s physical metabolism, a small amount. Generally not synthesized in the body and mainly depends on pet food and dog food. Most vitamins are essential for dogs, except for several individual vitamins.
Added extra to food. They do not provide energy, nor are they structural components of the body, but they are indispensable in the diet. For example, long-term lack or deficiency of certain vitamins can cause metabolic disorders and pathological conditions to form vitamin deficiency.
Lipid-soluble vitamins: vitamins A, D, E, K, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline), and vitamin C.
Don’t worry about the overdose of B vitamins (excess B vitamins will be excreted). Because domestic dogs do not eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, and grains like humans, they are deficient in B vitamins.
Vitamin E plays a significant role in nutrition and beauty. Because vitamins are easily damaged by sunlight, heat, and air humidity, vitamins should be added to dog food in an all-around way.
6. Water
Water can transfer various substances needed by pet dogs to eliminate unnecessary metabolites in the body; promote all chemical reactions in the body; regulate body temperature through unconscious evaporation of water and sweat secretion; joint synovial fluid, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract mucus have good lubrication.
Adult dogs should be given 100 ml of clean drinking water per kilogram of body weight per day; puppies should drink 150 ml of drinking water. Dogs should drink water every day and can drink water freely. But the water content of dog food should not exceed 10%.
