Balanced Diet
Water
Water is the largest component of the body and is essential to life accounting between 40-80% of body mass. Hence, clean and fresh water should be readily available to your dog at all times
Protein
Proteins are made up of 22 types of amino acids and dogs requires 10 of these essential amino acids in their diet for survival. It is a necessity for all aspect of development and growth and is critical to the immune system as it supports enzymes and antibodies.
Aside from properly balanced amino acids, the digestibility of the protein is very important because if that particular food is easy for dogs to digest, more can be absorbed into their system. When your dog digests food completely, they gain as much protein and this can be proven by lesser stools.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrate is another source of energy for dogs. It is not essential but helpful to have as it can provide valuable source of fiber (complex sugar) and energy (glucose) for keeping intestinal tract healthy and sparing the protein to do more important body functions.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary to sustain life.
Fat soluble are stored in fatty tissues or liver and if consumed in excess will lead to toxicity.
Vitamin A – Used for antioxidant activity, vision, appetite and maintenance of skin and coat health.
Vitamin D – A sunshine vitamin that allows the body absorption of calcium and phosphorus
Vitamin E – Serves as antioxidant for your dog’s defence against oxidative damage
Vitamin K - Necessary to activate dog’s blood ability to clot
Water soluble are not stored in the body and has to be consumed daily and excess is regularly eliminated by the body.
Vitamin B complex - Very important for muscle and nerve’s function
Vitamin C - Help reduce inflammation and cognitive aging
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic compounds in diet that perform a variety of functions in the body that are essential for supporting life. There are 2 basic groups of minerals: Macro-minerals (which are needed in large amount) and trace minerals (needed in smaller amounts) both work hand in hand to coordinate various body functions and maintain normal activities on a daily basis.
For example, phosphorus and calcium are both necessary in maintenance of bones, teeth and muscles growth. A careful balance of these 2 minerals is important for proper bone mineralization. Consumption of too much phosphorus with too little calcium intake can result in bone loss. Magnesium will work in harmony to retain the calcium for this development. Copper helps in iron absorption, which is needed to transport oxygen to muscles and organs. Selenium works with vitamin E to prevent oxidative damage that can cause premature aging, cancer and inflammatory disease.
Fats
Fats are concentrated form of energy that gives your dog more than twice the amount of energy as protein and carbohydrates do. They are made of building blocks called fatty acids and dogs need certain fatty acids to regulate the body’s inflammatory response and for skin and coat health. They also help the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). Omega 3 and 6 are essential fatty acids that the dog needs and must be provided in a balanced ratio (1:3) in the daily diet to maintain a healthy immune system. If fat levels are too low, dogs can develop dry, itchy skin and a dull coat.