Dog Nutritional Requirements: What You Should Know
Although dog nutritional requirements will vary based on factors such as breed, size, age and activity level, all dogs require nutrients from a wide range of sources.
Unlike cats, dogs are not pure carnivores. Meat, of course, is an important component of a dog’s diet but should ideally only account for about half of daily calorie intake. The balance should come from carbohydrates obtained from sources such as cereals, rice, potatoes or dry dog meal.
In addition to protein and carbohydrates the balanced canine diet should contain fat (obtainable mainly from meat), as well as essential minerals and vitamins.
The simplest way to ensure that your dog is receiving a balanced diet is to feed a premium quality dry dog food.
Here’s a quick reference guide to the dog nutritional requirements for an adult dog.
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| Source: | Complete Dog food, meat, fish, eggs, milk |
| Function: | Builds bones, repairs tissue, promotes growth |
| Source: | Animal and vegetable fat, oils |
| Function: | Provides energy, healthy skin, supports metabolism |
| Source: | Cereals, dog meal, rice, pasta , potatoes |
| Function: | Provides energy, source of bulk in the diet |
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| Calcium | |
| Source: | Milk, cheese, bones, bread, meat |
| Function: | Builds bone, aids clotting and muscle function |
| Phosphorus | |
| Source: | Milk, bones, meat |
| Function: | Builds bone and teeth |
| Iron | |
| Source: | Meat, bread, vegetables |
| Function: | Builds hemoglobin |
| Copper | |
| Source: | Meat, bones |
| Function: | Builds hemoglobin |
| Magnesium | |
| Source: | Bones, fish, cereals, green vegetables |
| Function: | Builds bone, helps synthesize protein |
| Iodine | |
| Source: | Milk, fish, vegetables |
| Function: | Thyroid function |
| Cobalt | |
| Source: | Milk, cheese, meat |
| Function: | Vitamin B12 production |
| Selenium | |
| Source: | Meat, fish, cereals |
| Function: | Vitamin E synthesis |
| Sulphur | |
| Source: | Meat, eggs |
| Function: | Amino acid synthesis |
| Potassium | |
| Source: | Meat, milk |
| Function: | Water balance, nerve function |
| Sodium | |
| Source: | Salt cereals |
| Function: | Water balance, nerve function |
| Manganese | |
| Source: | Cereals |
| Function: | Fat metabolism |
| Zinc | |
| Source: | Meat, cereals |
| Function: | Tissue repair, aid in digestion |
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| Vitamin A | |
| Source: | Milk, cod liver oil |
| Function: | Protects the skin, bone growth |
| Vitamin B1 | |
| Source: | Peas, beans, whole grain, organ meat |
| Function: | carbohydrate metabolism |
| Vitamin B2 | |
| Source: | Milk, cheese, meat |
| Function: | Energy metabolism |
| Vitamin B6 | |
| Source: | Meat, vegetables, cereals, eggs |
| Function: | Amino Acid metabolism |
| Vitamin B12 | |
| Source: | Meat, eggs, milk |
| Function: | Amino Acid metabolism |
| Vitamin D | |
| Source: | Milk, cheese, eggs, meat, cod liver oil |
| Function: | Bone growth, calcium absorption |
| Vitamin E | |
| Source: | Cereals, green vegetables, cheese |
| Function: | Aids cell membrane function and reproduction |
| Vitamin K | |
| Source: | Meat, cereals, green vegetables, liver |
| Function: | Blood clotting |
| Folic Acid | |
| Source: | Green Vegetables |
| Function: | Amino Acid metabolism |
| Biotin | |
| Source: | Meat, vegetables |
| Function: | Amino Acid metabolism |
| Choline | |
| Source: | Eggs, liver, cereals, peas, beans |
| Function: | Fat metabolism and nerve function |
| Niacin | |
| Source: | Meat, cereals, legumes |
| Function: | Energy metabolism |
Follow this guide to dog nutritional requirements and you’ll ensure that you are meeting your dog’s nutritional needs.
Read more about dog nutritional requirements, and the best food for your dog, by following the links below.
