Nutrient Requirements of Dogs-How can you best ensure your dog’s health? The nutrient requirements of dogs are very different from humans, and the wrong approach could result in illness or even death.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about the nutrient requirements of dogs, including how to adjust your dog’s diet based on its age, weight, activity level, and breed, as well as how to use supplements to ensure that your dog gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs.
By feeding your dog the right food in the right amounts, your canine companion can live a longer, healthier life.
Here Are The Nutrient Requirements of Dogs:
Puppy Growth
Puppies tend to grow quickly and put on a lot of weight between 3 and 5 months. They double their birth weight between 2 weeks and 3 months, then increase their weight threefold between 3 and 5 months.
While they're still growing, puppies require an energy-dense diet that contains plenty of protein and calcium. Puppies also need a little fat in their diet for brain development, but most commercial dog foods contain too much, making it easy for puppy owners to overfeed fats without even realizing it.
As your puppy grows into adulthood (around 8 months old), you can transition him from a high-calorie, high-protein diet into one that's lower in calories but still rich in nutrients.
Adult Dog
If you're feeding an adult dog, you'll want to make sure he gets about 1,500 calories a day. Most adult dogs should get anywhere from 4% - 6% fat in their diet.
Adult dogs tend to need fewer carbs than puppies since they don't have as much energy required for growth and development.
They should be getting around 25% - 30% protein and around 5-10% fiber depending on your individual dog's needs. Adults often do better with a higher fat/lower carbohydrate diet due to concerns like weight gain and diabetes.
Feeding Guidelines
When deciding what and how much to feed your dog, consider his or her age, size, weight, and activity level. There are some easy formulas that can help you determine how much to feed based on these factors.
Remember that each dog is an individual and will have slightly different nutritional needs. Some dogs are more active than others, so adjust their food intake accordingly.
Also, keep in mind that a puppy will need approximately twice as many calories per pound as an adult dog.
What if I do not want to use supplements?
If you are planning on using only natural food sources, make sure that you are getting everything your dog needs.
Most of these foods will not provide all of your dog's nutrients, so there is a chance that they may become deficient in certain vitamins or minerals. Talk with your vet about whether adding a nutritional supplement would be beneficial.
The most common supplements used in dogs include calcium and vitamin D3 (for healthy bones and teeth), as well as taurine (an amino acid). It’s also important to note that many human foods, such as onions and garlic, are toxic for dogs. Be sure to check with your vet if you plan on feeding your dog any human foods.
Nutritional Deficiencies in Dogs
Dog food is widely available and comes in many different formulations, so it’s not hard for a dog owner to feed his or her canine companion properly. However, an animal may still suffer from a nutritional deficiency if its diet is lacking in a particular nutrient.
Fortunately, most dogs are unlikely to develop serious health problems if they go without one nutrient or another for too long.
But some deficiencies can be life-threatening (and even lead to death), while others may only cause temporary discomfort. For example, fat-soluble vitamins A and D are essential in aiding eyesight; B vitamins are required for building and supporting muscle tissue; calcium is important for strong bones, and proteins help with tissue regeneration among other functions.
Calculating Your Dog’s Caloric Needs
If you feed your dog a high-quality diet that meets his nutritional needs, you probably don’t need to worry about counting calories.
If you have a puppy or a very active adult dog, you may want to factor in some extra calories to ensure he is getting enough energy for growth and exercise.
To do so, pick a spot on your dog’s body where there are no ribs—usually around his shoulders—and measure it.
Compare that measurement with some simple formulas from pet nutrition experts (this one from Purdue University is commonly cited) and see if your pooch falls into an underweight, normal weight, or overweight category.
Is my dog overweight? How do I safely get him back into shape?
There’s no reason to be embarrassed if your dog is overweight. It happens. Especially if he spends most of his day inside, or outside exercising.
But like humans, obesity in dogs can lead to a host of health problems such as joint problems and diabetes.
While dieting seems simple enough for people, it’s easier said than done when you’re working with a four-legged friend.
The key is making sure you both understand what you’re trying to achieve (he wants food and happiness; you want an active dog) and then being consistent with your plan so there are no hiccups along the way. With any luck, your dog will lose weight in no time at all!
Pet Weight Loss Tips
One way is through diet modification, which involves a strategic combination of reducing calories and increasing exercise. Fad diets for pets should be avoided, as they can be extremely harmful to their health.
If you want to lose weight with your pet, consider switching from dry food (which has around 30% moisture) to wet food (which has around 70% moisture). Wet food is more difficult for dogs to consume quickly so they’re more likely to eat less at each meal and take longer breaks between meals.
The increased water consumption may also reduce bloat risk in certain breeds.
Fussy Eaters Can Become Healthy Eaters
Although you might worry that your dog is not getting all his vitamins and minerals when he eats only kibble, remember that most dogs don’t typically eat enough food in one sitting to deplete their bodies with essential nutrients. Depending on your dog’s metabolism, his daily caloric intake may be between 200 and 1,200 calories (plus or minus).
For a 70-pound golden retriever with a moderate metabolism, an adult dog food with 360 calories will keep him healthy—and it will even help him maintain weight if he needs to lose some pounds. If your dog doesn’t need to lose weight but does tend toward finicky eating habits, consider adding salmon oil or chicken broth for flavor.
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