Let’s Talk Dog Nutrition — 6 Essential Nutrients Dogs Need

A happy dog with a bowl of food.
A happy dog with a bowl of food. Photography ©damedeeso | Thinkstock.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email

A groomer friend of mine recently recounted the story of a client who feeds her dog a limited, four-ingredient fresh food diet due to food intolerances. While limited-ingredient diets are common for dogs with food sensitivities, the client was not adding any supplementation for fear of causing the dog a reaction. I was floored, because no four foods can provide all of the dog nutrition a pup needs to live a long, healthy life. Without supplements to fill in the nutritional gaps, this well-intentioned dog guardian is unwittingly causing her canine companion more harm than good.

All living organisms need a wide variety of nutrients — substances from food that provide energy and enable our bodies to function — to survive. There are six major classes of nutrients for dogs and people: water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Let’s take a closer look at dog nutrition and six essential nutrients your dog needs to eat:

1. Water

Water being poured into a dog bowl.
Water — and a specific type of water — is essential to dog nutrition. Photography © Harrison Watters.
  • What it is: A tasteless, colorless, odorless chemical made up of two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule — hence the name H2O.
  • Why it’s important: Without water, life cannot exist. Water makes up 70 to 80 percent of a mature dog’s lean body mass. Water’s many important functions include: dissolving and transporting nutrients to the cells; helping regulate body temperature; hydrolyzing protein, fat and carbohydrates for digestion; cushioning the organs and nervous system; flushing waste from the body.
  • Special considerations: A dog’s water requirements vary based on health, activity level and environmental temperature. Most dogs self-regulate their water intake to meet their needs. Dogs fed high-moisture foods typically drink less than kibble-fed dogs. All dogs should always have access to clean, fresh H2O.
  • Get it from: Straight from the tap fitted with a good quality filter.

2. Protein

Eggs.
Eggs are a good source of protein for dogs. Photography ©chengyuzheng | Thinkstock.
  • What it is: Along with fats and carbohydrates, protein is a macronutrient, meaning that it supplies energy. Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of life.
  • Why it’s important: Protein supplies essential and non-essential amino acids that are critical to life. Proteins give the body structure (think strong hair, skin, nails, muscles and bones) and are necessary to make hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes and antibodies that keep the body functioning optimally. Dogs must receive the essential amino acids from diet, as their bodies cannot produce them at the required levels. Protein can also supply energy in the absence of sufficient carbohydrates and fats. Because the body can’t store protein, it needs a constant dietary supply.
  • Special considerations: Growing puppies and pregnant and lactating females require about twice as much protein as an adult dog at maintenance.
  • Get it from: Animal sources such as lean-muscle meats, fish and eggs; plant-based sources such as beans and lentils.

3. Fat

Fish.
Healthy fats are key in dog nutrition. Photography ©Alexiuz | Thinkstock.
  • What it is: A macronutrient made up of fatty acids. Dietary fats are either saturated (e.g., butter, cheese meat), polyunsaturated (e.g., fish oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil) or monounsaturated (e.g., olive oil).
  • Why it’s important: Fat supplies the most concentrated source of energy, with more than twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates. It also provides essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids; enables absorption of fat-soluble vitamins; protects the internal organs; regulates body temperature; and promotes a healthy nervous system.
  • Special considerations: Too much fat can trigger pancreatitis or gastrointestinal issues. Avoid fatty table scraps. Be aware that coconut oil does not supply essential fatty acids.
  • Get it from: Low-mercury fish and fish oil; plant-based oils, such as flaxseed and hempseed.

4. Vitamins

Vitamins.
Dark, leafy greens are a good source of vitamins. Photography ©vladimir_karpenyuk | Thinkstock.
  • What they are: Vitamins are organic compounds (meaning that they contain carbon) that are required in small quantities for proper metabolic function. Vitamins can be soluble in fat (A, D, E and K) or in water (B and C). Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fatty tissues and the liver; water-soluble vitamins are not stored. Because the body can’t synthesize vitamins in sufficient quantities, they must come from the diet.
  • Why they’re important: Vitamins play a variety of critical roles, including: regulating calcium and phosphorus levels (D); boosting the immune system (A); serving as antioxidants (C and E); enabling the blood to clot (K); and maintaining nervous system function (B12).
  • Special considerations: All home-prepared diets require vitamin supplementation. If you feed a commercial “complete and balanced” food, do not add additional fat-soluble vitamins, as toxicity can occur. Toxicity of water-soluble vitamins is unlikely, as excess is excreted in the urine.
  • Get THEM from: A varied diet containing organ and muscle meats and dog-friendly plant-based foods.

5. Minerals

Oysters.
Minerals are essential to dog nutrition. Photography ©ValentynVolkov | Thinkstock.
  • What they are: Minerals are inorganic compounds that the body needs to maintain proper metabolic functions. The body cannot manufacture minerals and so must get them from food. There are two classes of minerals: macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride) and microminerals (iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, iodine). Macrominerals are required by the body in higher levels than microminerals, but both types are equally important.
  • Why they’re important: Like vitamins, minerals perform a variety of functions in the body that are essential for supporting life, including: constituting a major part of bones (calcium, phosphorus); carrying oxygen throughout the body (iron); assisting in wound healing (zinc); providing antioxidant support (selenium); aiding in nerve transmission (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium); and regulating fluid balance (sodium, chloride, potassium).
  • Special considerations: Growing puppies require more than double the calcium of adult dogs at maintenance. Calcium and phosphorus levels and ratios must be monitored closely in large-breed puppies to avoid risk of developmental orthopedic disease. Read more about what nutrients to feed puppies right here >>
  • Get THEM from: Different foods are rich in different minerals. Meat is high in phosphorus, while bone is high in calcium. Organ meats provide copper and iron, while shellfish is rich in zinc.

6. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates.
Healthy carbohydrates are essential for dogs to eat. Photography ©BWFolsom | Thinkstock.
  • What they are: A macronutrient made up of units of sugars, starches or indigestible fiber. Since dogs can synthesize glucose from sufficient dietary protein and fat, carbohydrates are the only nutrient class that is not essential for dogs. Why they’re important: Carbohydrates are the main source of glucose, the “fuel” the body runs on. Although carbohydrates are not an essential nutrient for dogs, healthy carbohydrates supply important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plant-based nutrients that help promote optimum health.
  • Special considerations: Consuming a portion of energy from healthy carbohydrates spares protein for other important functions. Steer clear of high-glycemic “junk” carbohydrates that provide little to no nutrition and rapidly raise blood sugar levels.
  • Get THEM from: Dog-friendly vegetables, fruits, legumes and gluten-free grains.

The importance of each nutrient class could — and does — take up entire books, so I’ve only skimmed the surface. The bottom line in dog nutrition is that all dogs need an ample supply of nutrients to survive and thrive. The fewer of these nutrients that come from food, the more supplementation is needed to fill the gaps.

Power Sources for Dog Nutrition

Superhero flying dog with cape. Photography ©igorr1 | Thinkstock.
Don’t know where to start when it comes to dog nutrition? Check this list. Photography ©igorr1 | Thinkstock.

Not sure which foods hold the most nutrient “bang for their buck”? Check out this list to get you started:

  1. Water • Filtered tap water: Clean; pure; cost-efficient; readily available
  2. Protein • Whole egg: Considered the most bioavailable source of protein (1 large egg provides about 6 grams of protein)
  3. Fat • Sardines: Low mercury; nutrient-rich; high in the essential omega-3 acids EPA and DHA
  4. Carbohydrates • Butternut squash: High in vitamins A and C; loaded with antioxidant-rich carotenes; excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins E and B6, magnesium, manganese and potassium.
  5. Vitamins • Dark leafy greens: Rich in vitamins A, C, E, K and folate; also high in carotenoids and many minerals; shown to
    protect against cancer
  6. Minerals • Oysters: Excellent source of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, zinc; also rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids

Tell us: Did you know these facts about dog nutrition? What do you feed your dog?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Thumbnail: Photography ©damedeeso | Thinkstock. 

Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, M.S., is a canine nutritionist and co-author, with M. Jean Dodds, D.V.M., of two books including Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health. Their online course, Complete Canine Nutrition can be found at myhealthydog.dog.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you

Read more about dog food and treats on Dogster.com:

39 thoughts on “Let’s Talk Dog Nutrition — 6 Essential Nutrients Dogs Need”

  1. Omg! This essay was extremely helpful to me. I was baffled as to which dog foods would be the greatest for everything. But after reading this, my perplexity has subsided. Thank you so much for providing such an excellent article on 6 Essential Nutrients Dogs Need. Most individuals lack experience when it comes to dog healthy diet. Thank you again, Diana.

  2. Even years later, this is still great information and advice. When any of my training clients have questions about nutrition for their pups, this is one of my go-to articles for 3 years and counting! I love seeing the ah-ha moments when pet parents realize that "Whoa! my dog is happier, more calm and much more well-behaved on a real/whole food diet." !! It's almost as if Mother Nature knew what she was doing!!

  3. Thanks for the resourceful information. It helped to create an insightful blog for the kombai breeds.

  4. Pingback: Dog Food Advisor | Best Dog Food – 2020 – petcareandsupplies

  5. Pingback: Top Tips in Caring for Older Dogs and Cats – Ejournalz

  6. Pingback: Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seeds the Widely Used Human Food?

  7. Pingback: Have You Read Your Dog Food Label Recently? – Petswelcome.com

  8. Pingback: The Complete Guide to Making Home-Cooked Dog Food – This Dogs Life

  9. Pingback: 【Dogalicious 狗狗常識101】了解狗狗所需6大營養 – Dogalicious 狗狗鮮食

  10. Pingback: Barks.in | Rajapalayam Dog. A comprehensive breed guide

  11. Pingback: Barks.in | Lhasa Apso. The dog from the roof of the world

  12. Pingback: Best Dog Food for Catahoula – Top Catahoula Leopard Dog Food of 2019

  13. Pingback: How to do a Proper Dog Care? – Dog Care

  14. Pingback: How to Tell if Your Dog Has Worms [8 Signs to Look For] – Dogdorable

  15. Pingback: The 10 Best Puppy Food Products for Your Growing Dog

  16. Pingback: How to fatten up a malnourished dog.

  17. Pingback: How To Tell If Your Dog Has Worms and What You Should Do

  18. Pingback: Best Dog Training Treats in 2019 | 2019 Top Picks | CatyDogy

  19. Pingback: Are You Feeding Your Dog Too Much? Too little | The Collienois

  20. Pingback: Best Dog Food for Pomsky: Feed Healthy Food to Pomskies – pomskies

  21. Pingback: The Complete Guide to Making Home-Cooked Dog Food – This Dog's Life – cbdoilslegal

  22. Pingback: How to Feed Homemade Food to Your Dog | Pet Packs

  23. Pingback: Pet Vitamin 101: Are You Giving Your Pet the Greatest? – Crown Health Tech

  24. Love that you’ve featured whole-food sources, commercial dog foods are great for getting all of those nutrients in, but even the average dog owner can add oysters, sardines, and greens to their dog’s dish. I started giving my dogs some decaf green tea for antioxidants, I pour it over their food once in a while. Blueberries are another staple, great fresh or frozen.

  25. Great breakdown of essential macro nutrients! With respect to vitamin supplements…is it sufficient to add a variety of veggies; pumpkin, spinach, carrots etc; or is the article recommending an ‘off the shelf’ vitamin supplement?

    I feed my 60 lbs Shepard mix raw meats with pumpkin puree added (to 10%), to that I occasionally add blue berries, raspberries, banana, and carrots. Weekly, she also gets whole fish.

    Should I be adding a commercial vitamin supplement?

    Thanks!

    S

    1. Hi there,
      Thanks for reaching out! We suggest discussing this with your vet. This article might provide some insight too:
      https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/dog-supplements-to-know-about

  26. My dog has allergies, since he has been on Purina Hydrolyzed Soy he no longer scratches, r drags his face on the carpet or shakes his head. What supplimrntd can he take or need?

    1. Hi there Laurie,

      Thanks for reaching out! Please contact your dog’s vet with this question to see what is right for your dog.

    2. Andrea Strickland

      Purina,Pedigree, Science Diet, to name a few are on the worst dogfood list..It’s all junk and can be deadly to pets

  27. WOW! This article really useful for me. I confused for choosing the dog foods information what would be the best for everything. But review this article my confusion has cleared. Thanks a lot for sharing such an informative article about 6 essential foods for Dogs and I’m sure most people can take notes from this article. One thing most people lack experience while aware of dog healthy food. Well, this post will give me much good ideas for healthy foods for dog and dog hair healthy. Thanks Diana and keep it up…….

  28. Love that you’ve featured whole-food sources, commercial dog foods are great for getting all of those nutrients in, but even the average dog owner can add oysters, sardines, and greens to their dog’s dish. I started giving my dogs some decaf green tea for antioxidants, I pour it over their food once in a while. Blueberries are another staple, great fresh or frozen.

  29. Pingback: 3 Signs That You Are Feeding Your Dog the Wrong Food – Florida Independent

  30. Pingback: Senior Dog Diet: Why It's Important To Feed Your Senior Dog A Nutritional Diet

  31. Pingback: 4 Remedies for Your Dog That You Didn't Know About

  32. My friends dog is not eating anything, just drinking water. Her dog has cancer. Is there anything she can give her dog in the water for nutrition? She’s so sad that her dog is not eating. Thanks!!

    1. Hi Karen,

      So sorry to hear that her dog isn’t doing well. We suggest that she keeps in touch with a vet in order to best get help for her dog. These articles might provide some insight, but she should really speak with a vet:
      https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dog-cancer-treatment
      https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/alternative-dog-cancer-treatments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Dogster in your inbox!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.

Current Issue

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.

Related

Follow Us

Shopping Cart