Nutrients are essential elements that contribute to an organism’s growth, metabolism and proper functioning. Although every living creature synthesize nutrients, the amounts are usually insufficient and they must be supplied from external sources. This is why we eat and this is why dogs need to be fed. A balanced dog nutrition is vital for your dog and by balanced you should understand that all important nutrients should take part in your dog’s meals in proper amounts.

In the next posts I’ll be discussing the most important nutrients in a dog’s diet. I have considered proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, water and supplements to be the most important categories of dog nutrients.

• Dog Nutrition (I): Proteins presents the role of proteins for dogs. Proteins are essential for building, rebuilding and replacing cells. They create the tissues, the muscles, build the cells that carry the blood and other fluids to the organs.
• Dog Nutrition (II): Carbohydrates. These are the elements which mostly contribute to energy.
• Dog Nutrition (III): Fats and Fatty Acids. Fats are highly digestible and generally a source of energy.
• Dog Nutrition (IV): Vitamins. Vitamins are essential compounds for the proper functioning of a dog’s body.
• Minerals, trace elements, salts or ions are also essential for your dog’s health.
• Water, which is essential to any diet.
• Dog Nutrition (VII): Supplements offers the natural alternative to synthetic dog supplements.