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why nutrients matter in pet food
Nutrients come from many places, so we’ve compiled a short list of some power players for your pet. And if you need more help determining your pet’s diet, just reach out to your veterinary team. We’re here to help.
Nutrients matter for your pet because they support life
You hear a lot about nutrition, but why? It’s because nutrition is all about nutrients. Nutrients are what we call any substance that a living creature’s body breaks down to support life, including good stuff like vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, water, and many more.
But not all nutrients do the same thing. Each nutrient in your pet’s diet performs a slightly different function — plus puppies, kittens, grown cats and dogs, and older pets all have slightly different needs.
What to know about nutrients in pet food
Using a quality commercial pet food? Look for the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) “complete and balanced” statement that confirms your pet’s chow meets science-based industry guidelines for the right amount and proportion of essential nutrients for your pet. See more about reading pet food labels
In addition to carbs, protein, and vitamins and minerals, one crucial nutrient in your pet’s diet is (drumroll)… plain old water! Always make sure your pet has clean, fresh water for hydration.
Plus, your pet does need fats (lipids) for energy and processing nutrients. Quality pet foods provide those fats with a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, typically from fish, flax, or canola.
Critical carbohydrates
Critical carbohydrates build up and provide ready fuel for your pet’s body to move and function.
Protein
Protein (amino acids) is crucial for your pet’s body to create, use, and repair cellular structures.
Vitamins and minerals
Each vitamin and mineral does something different and amazing to support life and health.
Where do nutrients in pet foods come from?
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Nutrients in pet foods are seldom added in their pure form, but as a package deal inside more complex ingredients like meat, grains, and more.
Below is a quickie cheat sheet on some common ingredients, along with what they provide.
Please note that this list is by no means complete. Also, we do not recommend that you feed your pets homemade diets of these ingredients without veterinary approval or guidance — it’s just too easy to overdo or underdo specific nutrients with guesswork alone. Please ping your veterinary team for advice before you begin.
Research provided by ROYAL CANIN®, a registered trademark of Royal Canin USA.
Know your common pet food nutrients
Bone
Minerals: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium
Other nutrients: glucosamine, chondroitin
Corn
Carbohydrates: starch, dietary fiber
Proteins: amino acids, essential amino acids
Minerals: zinc, manganese
Other nutrients: carotenoid pigments
Eggs
Proteins: amino acids, essential amino acids, sulfur amino acids
Vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, choline, inositol
Fish oil
Lipids: fatty acids, omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA
Liver
Minerals: iron, cobalt
Vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, riboflavin, vitamin B12, biotin, folic acid, choline and inositol
Meat
Lipids: conjugated fatty acids
Proteins: amino acids, essential amino acids, arginine, glutamine, lysine, taurine, branched-chain amino acids, carnitine
Minerals: phosphorus, iron, copper, selenium
Vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin K, thiamine, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, vitamin B12, niacin, choline and inositol
Milk
Carbohydrates: sugars.
Lipids: conjugated fatty acids
Proteins: sulfur amino acids, lysine, tyrosine
Vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin D, riboflavin, pantothenic acid
Mineral salts
Minerals: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, chelated trace elements, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, cobalt, sodium polyphosphates, potassium citrate
Oily fish
Proteins: amino acids, essential amino acids, sulfur amino acids
Minerals: iron, iodine
Vitamins: vitamin D, pyridoxine, vitamin B12, niacin
Poultry
Lipids: fatty acids, omega 6 fatty acids
Proteins: amino acids, essential amino acids
Soy
Proteins: amino acids, essential amino acids, lysine
Minerals: copper
Wheat
Carbohydrates: starch
Proteins: essential amino acids
Minerals: zinc, manganese
Vitamins: Vitamin E, Thiamine, Niacin
Yeast
Carbohydrates: Dietary fiber, MOS
Vitamins: Thiamine, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Folic acid
Yes, corn is cool and fatty acids are fab
Some pet owners think hulled corn is just a filler. But hulled corn can actually be a power player in pet food for energy, fiber, essential amino acids, and carotene, which promotes eyesight, skin health, and bone and muscle growth. The same is true for wheat. When properly processed, wheat is a solid nutrient that can deliver many good things for your pet.
Similarly, lipids, or fats, get a bad rap in people diets. But your pet’s body needs some fatty acids, which are absorbed into your pet’s bloodstream and converted to energy. If your pet is overweight or doesn’t move much, ask your veterinary team about lower calorie foods with less fat, instead of cutting fat entirely.
Bonus material: nice-to-know nutraceuticals
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Some substances may deliver a little extra benefit on top of basic nutrition, like support for aging joints and healthy weights. Ask your veterinary team about what they recommend if you’re seeking to supplement your BFF’s meals.
Know your nutraceuticals
Antioxidants:
Antioxidants are sometimes used in pet food to prevent food spoilage. Anecdotally, they may also work on a cellular level to protect your pet from “free radicals,” as well as ultraviolet light, pollution, stress, and poor diet.
Chondroitin and glucosamine:
Because glucosamine helps protect joint cartilage and add to its elasticity, it’s often recommended for older and bigger dogs with joint issues. Chondroitin helps cartilage absorb impact in joints, and works with glucosamine to help create new cartilage.
Curcumin:
Curcumin, derived from turmeric, is an anti-inflammatory that can help heal skin wounds.
New Zealand green mussel:
Powdered NZ sea mussel is sometimes recommended for pets with arthritic inflammation, since it packs a wallop of Omega 3 fatty acids, chondroitin, glutamine, vitamins E and C, and trace elements like zinc, copper, and manganese.
Zeolite:
Zeolite, extracted from volcanic rock, can help boost healthy digestive systems, absorb extra water and toxins in your pet’s system, and even absorb calcium to help build stronger bones.
Diet and nutrition for cats and dogs
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Optimum Wellness Plans®
Optimum Wellness Plan®
