It isn’t easy to decipher the list of ingredients on your pet food labels. Knowing what nutrients your pets need can help you understand what you’re feeding your dog or cat.
Proteins are the building blocks for cells, tissues, and organs. Proteins are made up of two types of amino acids: essential amino acids (which cannot be synthesized by your pet’s body) and non-essential amino acids. Animal-based proteins like chicken, lamb, beef, fish, and egg provide essential amino acids for your pets. Vegetables, cereals, and soy can provide some amino acids, but not all of the essential amino acids your pets need.
Essential amino acids for your pets: arginine, methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, leucine, tryptophan, lysine, and valine. Cats also need an extra amino acid in their diets: taurine. Dogs can synthesize taurine for themselves; cats cannot. Taurine helps cats prevent eye disease and heart disease. It is also essential for reproduction. Taurine is only found in animal-based proteins.
Fats provide your pet with loads of energy — more than twice the energy that comes from proteins or carbohydrates. Essential fatty acids help insulate your pet’s internal organs. Make sure your pet’s food has linoleic acid, omega-6 fatty acids, and/or omega-3 fatty acids. These help the body heal inflammation. Cats also need arachidonic acid to maintain skin and coat health and for optimum kidney function.
Carbohydrates and fiber are important for healthy digestion. Look for moderately fermentable fiber sources (like beet pulp) for best results and least flatulence. Highly fermentable fibers can leave you suffering from eye-watering pet gas.
The single most important nutrient for your pets is water. Just like water makes up most of a human body, water is up to seventy percent of an adult dog’s body weight. Make sure your pets have clean, fresh water at all times. Your pet’s food can provide some water, but not enough. Dry pet food may contain up to ten percent moisture; wet food may contain up to eighty-five percent moisture.