Pet Articles
Pet Nutrition Basics for Dogs & Cats
Author: Chrissie Cole
Good Nutrition is just as essential for your pet’s health as it
is for your own health. Your pet needs a balanced diet to help
keep him healthy. Unlike humans, your pet’s daily diet is the
same day to day. For this reason your pet must meet all
nutritional requirements and needs for proteins, vitamins, fats
and minerals in this one diet.
Good nutrition is not only good for your pets overall health but
also for their skin and hair coat. Good nutrition will influence
the overall internal workings of your pet for optimal health and
a happy long life!
Now we are going to take a long at some of the important
nutritional values your dog’s diet should contain:
Protein intake is critical for your pet’s heath. It is his
source of amino acids which are required for the manufacturing
of bones, muscles, hair coat, skin and everything else in the
body. Protein is an essential part of your pets nutritional and
diet needs. A rough estimate of protein needed in his diet, is
20% in dog food and 30% in cat foods.
Cats are carnivores which meant they require meat protein and
they have a higher need of protein in general. Dogs are
omnivores like humans, so they are able to use both meat and
vegetables. In fact, dogs can do well on a properly balanced
vegetarian diet whereas a cat might not due as well since they
require more overall protein.
Dietary fats supply most of the body’s caloric requirements as
well as essential fatty acids. In fact “fat” is the most
expensive of the ingredients found in pet foods. It is for this
reason that that some of the lower pried dog food companies
skimp on the quality and quantity of fats contained in the pet
foods. Inadequate, poor quality fats will result in your pet
having poor skin and coat health. There are some dog food
manufacturers that add extra essential fatty acids to their food
to promote healthy skin and coat – this food you would prefer
feeding your dog!
Fiber (derived from plants) is the indigestible substance in
food. A minimal amount of fiber is essential for proper food
digestion. Without proper fiber intake, pets would suffer from
diarrhea which could then result in more potential health
problems and risks.
Poor quality pet foods include a higher amount of fiber because
its cheaper then fatty acids and this in turn will make your pet
product more stools then average. The proper amount of fiber
will mean less pooper scooping for you, the pet owner!
Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts but they are
essential to your pets health. Calcium and phosphorus (parts of
the bone) sodium (essential part of the of the enzymes system)
and iron (component of hemoglobin) are just a few of the many
essential vitamins and minerals needed for your pets optimal
health and nutrition.
The last ingredient found in pet foods is preservatives.
Preservatives are needed to prevent the food from oxidizing –
without preservatives in the dog food, the ingredients would
quickly diminish.
So there you have it – Basic nutrition tips that will assure
your pet is receiving a well balanced diet that will assure his
overall health and well being. We hope this article will make it
a little easier for you to help maintain your pets diet now that
you understand more of what he needs!
About the author:
Chrissie Cole Owner of Indulge Your Pet - a
site dedicated to providing information and resources for dog
lovers, cat
lovers and horse
lovers.
