Proper nutrition is crucial for the health and wellbeing of pets. As caretakers, it is our responsibility to understand the unique nutritional needs of dogs and cats and provide diets tailored to support their growth, maintenance, and overall vitality. In this article, we will explore the science behind pet nutrition - what key nutrients pets need and why they need them.
Understanding the Basics
All animals, including our furry friends, require six essential nutrients: water, protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The amounts and types of each depend on the animal's physiology and life stage. Pets are metabolically unique from humans in ways we must consider when feeding them.
Water - The Most Essential Nutrient
Water may seem like a no-brainer, but it is the most essential nutrient for all living creatures. Adult dogs are made up of 60-70% water, while adult cats are about 65-75% water. Pets need plenty of fresh, clean water available at all times. Dehydration can occur rapidly in pets and lead to serious health issues.
Water supports every biochemical reaction in the body. It aids in digestion and nutrient absorption, transports nutrients, removes waste, maintains electrolyte balance, cushions joints, and regulates body temperature. Pets require more water during growth, lactation, exercise, hot weather, and illness.
The Importance of Protein
Protein provides the amino acids that serve as the building blocks for the structural and functional components of the body. Pets have particularly high protein needs. Proteins support the growth and maintenance of muscles, organs, hormones, enzymes, antibodies, blood cells, skin, hair, cartilage, ligaments, and more.
Dogs and cats need a diet with at least 18% protein on a dry matter basis. But protein quality also matters. High biological value proteins that contain complete essential amino acid profiles like those found in animal-based proteins (meats, organs, eggs) provide the full complement of amino acids pets need.
Plant proteins often lack one or more essential amino acids and have lower digestibility, so they may not fully meet amino acid requirements even if fed at adequate total protein levels. Cats are obligate carnivores and have an exceptionally high requirement for animal-based proteins.
Fats - Concentrated Energy
Along with protein, fats are a top macronutrient that pets need to thrive. Highly digestible animal fats provide the most concentrated energy source, supplying over twice the calories of carbs or protein on a gram for gram basis.
Fats support energy needs, the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, healthy skin and coat, proper growth and development, hormone synthesis, and more. Essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 also support immune system function, cognitive development, reproductive health, and control of inflammation and allergies.
Around 20% of a pet’s diet can come from fats. Higher levels may be needed for certain life stages or conditions. Dietary fats should provide a balance of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated sources.
The Role of Carbohydrates
Though carbs represent the smallest part of a carnivore’s natural diet, they do serve purposes like fueling the brain and gut, promoting dental health, and supporting a well-functioning metabolism. Healthy pets use carbs efficiently as an energy source.
Cats are obligate carnivores with no dietary requirement for carbs. They utilize fat and protein as their primary energy sources. Dogs can use carbs more extensively, though their metabolism favors fat and protein.
Carbohydrates in pet foods should come from digestible whole food sources like whole grains, legumes, starchy veggies. Highly processed carbs and those with anti-nutrients like gluten should be minimized. Around 5-15% of a balanced diet can come from carbohydrate sources.
Vitamins - Vital Micronutrients
Vitamins are crucial micronutrients that regulate metabolic processes, immunity, and more. Since pets cannot synthesize most vitamins internally, they must get what they need from their diet.
Key vitamins pets require include:
- Vitamin A - vision, reproduction, immune function, skin/coat health
- Vitamin D - bone development and structure, muscle and nerve control, immune regulation
- Vitamin E - antioxidant, enhances immunity, healthy cells
- Vitamin K - blood clotting
- Thiamine - metabolism of carbs and amino acids
- Riboflavin - energy production
- Vitamin B6 - protein metabolism
- Pantothenic acid - energy metabolism
- Niacin - skin, nerves, digestion
- Folic acid - cell function
- Vitamin B12 - nerve myelin, red blood cell formation
- Choline - nutrient metabolism, liver and brain function
- Vitamin C - antioxidant, immunity, collagen formation
Minerals - Supporting Cellular Processes
Like vitamins, minerals enable vital biochemical reactions. They give structure to tissues like bones and teeth, transmit nerve signals, maintain fluid balance, contribute to energy production, and more.
Some key minerals pets need include:
- Calcium - bone development and maintenance
- Phosphorus - bone development, cell function
- Potassium - fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle control
- Sodium - fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle control
- Chloride - acid-base balance
- Magnesium - enzyme cofactor, nerve and muscle function
- Iron - oxygen transport in blood
- Zinc - immunity, reproduction, skin/coat health
- Copper - iron metabolism, connective tissue formation
- Manganese - brain and nerve function, bone development
- Selenium - antioxidant, thyroid function
- Iodine - thyroid hormone production
Special Nutritional Needs by Life Stage
The nutritional needs of dogs and cats vary based on age, size, and physiologic state.
Key life stages and considerations include:
- Puppy & Kitten - Rapid growth and development requires high protein, fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and minerals. Small breed puppies need 28-32% protein, large breeds 22-25%. Nursing queens need 30% protein and 20% fat. Four meals a day is recommended.
- Adult Maintenance - Adult pets utilize lower protein and fat levels more efficiently. Adults need 18-25% protein, 15% fat, optimized calories tailored to activity level to maintain ideal weight. Two meals a day are often adequate.
- Senior/Mature - Seniors may benefit from increased protein for muscle maintenance, fatty acids for joint health, fiber for digestion, antioxidants, and reduced calories for weight management. Senior formulas cater to these needs.
- Pregnancy/Lactation - Increased energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals support fetal growth and milk production. Queening cats need 25-30% protein and 20% fat. Expectant dogs need 25-32% protein and 16-22% fat depending on breed size. Multiple small meals daily.
- Athletic/Working Dogs - High activity dogs need increased protein for muscle building and repair, fat for energy, carbs for glycogen, and micronutrients to optimize performance and recovery. Levels up to 40% protein and 25% fat recommended.
- Obesity Prone - Overweight pets benefit from reduced calories, high protein, fiber for satiety, L-carnitine to promote fat burning, and potentially lower carb recipes. Gradual weight loss is key.
- Food Sensitivities - Novel protein and carb sources like duck, salmon, or tapioca may help pets with sensitivities. Grain-free or limited ingredient formulas may also be useful.
The Best Diet Options for Pets
Here are some top considerations when selecting a diet:
Aim for foods formulated by our veterinary nutritionists to meet established standards. These ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
- Look for high quality animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, lamb, and fish near the top of the ingredients list. Avoid by-products.
- Choose complex carbs like whole grains over refined carbs and starches like corn, wheat, soy.
- Check for omega fatty acids from fish, flaxseed etc. to balance omegas.
- Ensure digestibility - meat meals, limited fiber, nutrients bound to proteins.
- Avoid artificial preservatives, colors, flavors.
- Select appropriate life stage formula - puppy, adult maintenance, senior etc.
High quality homemade wet foods are optimal for hydration and palatability, especially for cats. Some owners prefer lightly cooked or raw frozen formulas for the benefits of raw nutrients. Work with your vet to find the right balance and variety.
How Much and How Often to Feed
Individual needs vary based on age, activity level, and other factors. It's ideal to tailor portions to maintain optimal weight and body condition. Pets should have a discernible waist when viewed from above and easily palpable ribs when hands are run down their sides.
Most adult pets do best with two meals per day to prevent overeating. Make sure fresh water is always available. Uneaten wet food should be discarded within 30 minutes at room temperature or an hour under refrigeration to prevent spoilage. Monitor appetite and stool quality, adjusting amounts accordingly.
Supplements - Use With Caution
While a complete and balanced diet should supply all the nutrition a healthy pet requires, supplements can benefit certain conditions. Glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritic joints, probiotics for GI issues, fish oil for allergies, antioxidants like vitamin E for immune disorders, and fiber for constipation are examples. Always consult your vet before using supplements which can lead to excess, imbalance, or interactions.
Conclusion
Like humans, dogs and cats thrive on diets containing optimal levels of essential proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water tailored to their species, breed, life stage, and health status. Providing our companions with the fundamentals of pet nutrition allows them to lead their healthiest, happiest lives. Talk to your veterinarian about choosing the ideal foods and feeding practices to keep your furry friends well-nourished.
