

The wide range of fatty acid sources and profiles impact where fat is stored and metabolized when part of your dog’s diet. Sources of fat include the storage fat from other animals, such as beef or fish, as well as seed oils from plants, such as sunflower oil. Fat: Made up of fatty acid chains, lipids have many functions in the body, including a dense supply of energy, cushioning for organs, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and insulation.Proteins can also be found in plants, like legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Sources of protein include meat and other animal products like eggs. There are 20 different amino acids commonly found as protein components, of which dogs require 10 (referred to as their essential amino acids). Proteins are a critical part of your dog’s dietary needs because they are made up of amino acids. Protein: Proteins are used for energy production, building and repairing muscles and other body tissues, and are part of many bodily functions, including immune and hormone functions.These nutrients, including protein, fat, and carbohydrates, are responsible for supplying your dog, a facultative carnivore with the energy and structural elements for all of their systems.īelow is a quick overview of the three types of macronutrients, although whole books are dedicated to the subject: Macronutrients are the big building blocks, the main components of your dog’s nutrition. But what is a nutrient? A nutrient is any food constituent that helps support life by being involved in all basic functions of the body, such as:Įvery ingredient in your dog’s food contains different nutrients, which can be thought of as either macronutrients or micronutrients. Nutrition is not only a foundational aspect of your dog’s daily health maintenance, but it’s also often a key component of disease management. If you are on any special kind of diet that restricts certain foods or are vegetarian or vegan, it’s important to take vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure you are consuming adequate amounts.Understanding (and then providing!) proper nutrition is one of the most important roles for pet parents. Luckily, through a lot of these foods, you will naturally be consuming micronutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D and E, iron, calcium and magnesium. Dairy is also a good source of protein but should be limited as much as possible. And for protein, alternate between chicken, fish, lean meats, eggs, beans and legumes. For your daily fat consumption, choose unsaturated fats like nuts, seeds, olive oil and avocados. In order to achieve 45 to 65 percent of calories from carbohydrates, opt for healthy carbs such as brown rice, oatmeal, whole grains, potatoes, vegetables and fruits. 10 to 35 percent of calories come from protein.20 to 35 percent of calories come from fat.

45 to 65 percent of calories come from carbohydrates.For the average American adult, the USDA suggests that each day: People “track” macros and micros for different reasons, including specific fitness regimes, particular diets and as a way to stay on track in terms of maintaining a healthy balance of nutrients. Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals and water. To break this down even further, macronutrients make up your total caloric intake, and include carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In basic terms, macronutrients are the nutrients that the body requires in large amounts, while micronutrients are those required in smaller amounts. In the world of fitness and dieting, it’s common to hear the words “macros” and “micros” thrown around, especially in terms of counting and tracking, which may sound intimidating and can cause confusion.
