Dog food

1. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy your pet needs. In order to ensure the survival, health, development, reproduction, heart beat, blood circulation, gastrointestinal peristalsis, muscle contraction and other activities of their own physique, pets need a lot of energy, and 80% of these required energy is provided by carbohydrates. Carbohydrates include sugar and fiber.
The daily carbohydrate requirement for adult dogs is 10 grams per kilogram of body weight, and for puppies about 15.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.

2. Protein
Protein is an important source of body tissue and cell composition of pet body, and protein plays a variety of functions such as conduction, transport, support, protection, and movement. Protein also plays a catalytic and regulatory role in pet life and physiological metabolic activities, and the main role of maintaining life activities.
As carnivores, pet dogs have different ability to digest proteins in different feed ingredients. The digestibility of most animal offal and fresh meat is 90-95%, while the protein in plant-based feeds such as soybeans is only 60-80%. If dog food contains too much non-digestible plant-based protein, it can cause abdominal pain and even diarrhea; Moreover, too much protein requires liver degradation and kidney excretion, so it can increase the burden on the liver and kidneys. The general protein requirement of adult dogs is 4-8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, and 9.6 grams for growing dogs.

3. Fat
Fat is an important component of pet body tissue, almost all cell composition and repair, in the pet's skin, bones, muscles, nerves, blood, internal organs contain fat. In pet dogs, the proportion of body fat is as high as 10~20% of their own weight;
Fat is the most important source of energy. Lack of fat can make the skin itchy, increased flakes, coarse and dry fur and ear infections, making domestic dogs dull and nervous; Moderate intake of fat can stimulate appetite, make food more in line with their taste, and promote the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Pet dogs can digest fat almost 100%. The fat requirement is 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day for adult dogs and 2.2 grams for growing and developing dogs.

4. Minerals
Minerals are another indispensable class of nutrients for pet dogs, including elements needed by the human body, such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron and so on. Minerals are important raw materials for the collective organization of pet dogs, helping to regulate acid-base balance, muscle contraction, nerve responses, etc. in the body.
The most common deficiency in pet dogs is calcium and phosphorus. Deficiency can lead to many bone diseases such as rickets, osteomalacia (puppies), osteoporosis (adult dogs), paralysis of postpartum, etc. An imbalance in the ratio of calcium to phosphorus can also lead to leg disease (leg lameness, etc.).
Generally, pet feed is lacking in sodium and chlorine, so dog food needs to add a small amount of salt (electrolytes, potassium, sodium and chlorine trace elements are indispensable. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia; Zinc deficiency can cause poor fur development and produce dermatitis; manganese deficiency skeletal dysplasia, thick legs; Selenium deficiency muscle weakness; Iodine deficiency affects thyroxine synthesis.

5. Vitamins
Vitamin is a kind of pet physique metabolism essential and is required in small amounts of low molecular weight organic compounds, the body generally can not be synthesized, mainly rely on pet food dog food to provide, in addition to a few individual vitamins, most of the requirements in dog food additional addition. They do not provide energy, nor are they a structural component of the body, but they are absolutely indispensable in the diet, such as a long-term deficiency or insufficiency of a vitamin, which can cause metabolic disorders, as well as pathological conditions and the formation of vitamin deficiencies.
Fat-soluble vitamins: vitamins A, D, E, K, B VITAMINS (B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline) and vitamin C.
Don't worry about B vitamin overdose (excess B vitamins are excreted). Because domestic dogs do not eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and grains like people, B vitamins are deficient for them.
Vitamin E plays a significant role in nutrition and beauty. Because vitamins are easily damaged by sunlight, heating, and air humidity, vitamins should be fully added to dog food.

6. Water
Water: Water is an important condition for the survival of humans and animals, including all living things. Water can transport various substances necessary for life and eliminate unwanted metabolites in the body; Promote all chemical reactions in the body; Regulate body temperature through unconscious water evaporation and sweat secretion to dissipate a large amount of heat; Joint synovial fluid, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal mucus have a good lubricating effect, tears can prevent dry eyes, saliva is conducive to pharyngeal wetness and swallowing food.