In order to provide our pets with a complete and balanced diet, we need to feed them with varied food ingredients. All the needed nutrients for optimum performance are available in their whole form in the different ingredients.
Many pet owners are concerned about switching to real food; Mainly because they don’t know what to feed and how to create a balanced diet. Its true that its much easier to feed commercial food which is supposed to be complete and balanced; But before deciding, please read what’s really in processed pet food.
My goal is for you pet owners, if not to switch to real food, to add whole nutritious ingredients to your pets diet. So, to make it easier, here is a list of all the necessary nutrients, their role in the body and their sources.
Comment – this is just a partial list of sources and its best to adjust the diet to your pet’s specific needs. You are welcome to contact me for a nutritional consultation and of course I’m happy to answer any question.
Amino acids
These are a group of molecules that provide the building blocks for proteins. They are necessary for a wide range of biological processes that occur in the body. Such as growth, tissue repair, neurotransmitter’s movement and more.
There are 10 necessary amino acids that the dogs body cannot produce, and so must be supplied through the food. There are 11 for cats.
Sources: fish, beef, chicken, turkey, duck, pork, eggs. There are also plant sources such as chickpea, lentils, soy beans, beans and peas.
Anti-oxidants
Organic materials that deactivates free radicals and prevent them from damaging the cells. These molecules prevent the oxidation of other molecules which causes the formation of free radicals. Free radicals can cause chain reactions in cells. Which cause damage or death to the cells. Anti-oxidants prevent these chain reactions by removing the free radicals and prevention of other oxidative responses.
There are many supplements that contain anti-oxidants and they occur naturally in many food ingredients.
Sources: blueberries, raspberries, apples, strawberries, kale, spinach, broccoli, ginger, carrots, papaya, pumpkin, pork, internal organs.
Beta Carotene
This is the precursor for vitamin A. most mammals, dogs included, has the ability to convert beta carotene to vitamin A. Cats cannot. So, vegetables are an important part of a dog’s diet and cats will receive their vitamin A from animal sources.
Sources: sweet potato, green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, cantaloupe, red and orange bell peppers, peas, broccoli, radish, summer squash, lettuce.
Bioflavonoids
There are over 4000 know bioflavonoids. These are a group of plant pigments found in fruits and veggies which give them their color. These nutrients provide several unique health benefits. They change our pet’s immune reaction to compounds such as allergens, carcinogens and viruses. Also, they are a potent anti-oxidant which helps the body fight free radicals and prevents oxidation of cholesterol. They may assist in diabetes, heart problems, arthritis, cancer and allergies.
Sources: red bell pepper, strawberries, broccoli, spinach, parsley, green tea.
Biotin
A water-soluble vitamin from the B family and a coenzyme in the synthesis of fat and amino acids. Also, it is essential in regulating glucose levels in the blood and cellular growth. Mammals cannot produce Biotin themselves and need to receive it from food. Plant based Biotin is more available to use by the body.
Sources: chicken, liver, raspberry, eggs, sun flower seeds, lentils, banana, oats.
Boron
A mineral which purpose is to assist in bone and muscle formation, regulating testosterone, brain activity and muscle coordination.
Sources: apples, broccoli, peanut butter, pears, banana, carrot, celery, peaches, lentils.
Calcium
A vital mineral for life. Assist in building bones and teeth, muscle contraction, releasing neurotransmitters and electrical activity of the heart. Lack of calcium may cause a range of health problems. The main source for calcium is bones.
Sources: bones, muscle meat, bock choy, kale, broccoli, egg shells, white bean, sardines.
Choline
A water soluble vital nutrient. Usually found together with the B vitamin family and it is important for Insulin functioning, liver functioning, muscle activity and cells membrane structure. Also, important for proper developments of the neural system of fetuses.
Sources: beef, turkey, chicken, lamb, eggs, asparagus, bock choy.
Chromium
A vital mineral for fat and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, encourages cholesterol and fatty acids synthesis which is important for proper brain and body functioning. Assists in Insulin metabolism.
Sources: beef, liver, eggs, chicken, apples, banana, spinach, broccoli.
Cobalt
A vital mineral and part of the B12 vitamin which is necessary for red blood cell formation, iron absorption and effective mobilization of glucose from the blood to the cells.
Sources: beef, lamb, apricot, kelp, green leafy vegetables.
Coenzyme Q10
A water-soluble vitamin like substance found in eukaryotic cells (cells which contains a nucleus). An important component in cellular aerobic breathing which forms the energy needed for the body (ATP). Found in the largest concentrations in liver because it has the largest demand for it. Vital for heart and blood cells activity and is considered an anti-oxidant.
Sources: chicken liver, heart, muscle meat, spinach, parsley, broccoli, sweet potato, carrot.
Copper
A vital mineral for growth, maintenance and formation of bones, connective tissue brain, heart and other internal organs. Involved in red blood cells formation and lack of it will lead to anemia. In addition, copper helps cells use iron and in cholesterol and glucose metabolism. It is a main compound in encouraging the immune system to heal, fight inflammation and infections, repair of damaged tissue and counteracting the effects of free radicals. Copper is also involved in producing and releasing proteins and enzymes which regulates neural transmission, blood clotting and mobilization of oxygen in the body.
Sources: liver, sesame seeds, beef, spinach, garbanzo beans, kale, summer squash, sweet potato, raspberry.
Essential fatty acids
These are components of fats and oils. Essential fatty acids are considered essential because they cannot be synthesized by the body. They are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and are a part of two groups: ‘omega-3-fatty acids ‘and ‘omega-6-fatty acids’.
The parent fatty acid of the omega-3 series is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and the parent fatty acid of the omega-6 series is linoleic acid (LA).
Fatty acids have an influence on inflammatory processes in the body and many other cellular functioning. Omega 3 can be used to lower inflammatory processes in different situations such as irritable bowl disease, skin disorders, Insulin tolerance, obesity, asthma and heart disease.
Sources: oils (flax seed, hemp, maceral, salmon, sardines), fish – herring, anchovies, sardines, chia seeds
Nutritional fiber
Arrive in two forms – soluble and non-soluble. Soluble fiber dissolve in water and slow down the passage of food through the intestine. Non-soluble fiber doesn’t dissolve and act as a thickener (provide volume) which eases feces removal. Nutritional fiber is important to changing the nature of the content of the digestive system and the way nutrients are absorbed.
Sources: fruits, green veggies, sweet potato, pumpkin, lentils, whole grains.
Folic acid
Also known as vitamin B9 and is essential for many bodily functions. It is needed for maintenance and repair of DNA and for the natural rapid division of cells during pregnancy and growth.
Sources: liver, heart, green leafy vegetables as spinach and kale, asparagus, raspberry, strawberry, peas, papaya, blueberries, broccoli, lentils, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, carrot, pumpkin.
Iodine
A vital element in thyroid hormones T4 and T3 which are responsible for proper endocrine functioning. Also considered as improving the functioning of the immune system.
Sources: sea weed, eggs, apples, banana, strawberry, cranberries.
Iron
An essential mineral for the synthesis of red blood cells and mobilization of oxygen to the cells of the body. Also, has an important role of forming ATP (energy source for the body). A vital nutrient against anemia.
Sources: liver, lamb, chicken, turkey, duck, kale, spinach, eggs, garbanzo beans, pumpkin seeds, lentil.
Magnesium
More than 300 enzymes in the body need the presence of magnesium in order to function. Including the enzymes needed for the synthesis of ATP, DNA and RNA. Shortages are linked to diabetes, asthma and osteoporosis.
Sources: spinach, banana, pumpkin seeds.
Manganese
Like magnesium, this is an element that is vital for life and is a cofactor for hundreds of metabolic processes in the body. Helps the body produce connective tissues, bones, clotting agents and sex hormones. It also plays a role in carbohydrates and fat metabolism, blood sugar levels regulation, calcium absorption and proper functioning of the brain and nervous cells.
Sources: spinach, raspberry, blueberries, strawberries, pumpkin seeds, whole rice.
Molybdenum
A vital nutrient that plays a role in a number of biological processes including waste processing by the kidneys, development of the nervous system and energy production.
Sources: lamb, beef, liver, green leafy vegetables, lentils, garbanzo beans, oat.
Phosphorus
A mineral that is found in every cell in the body. Mainly needed for teeth and bones formation. But also involved in the usage of carbohydrates and fats, ATP formation and synthesis of proteins. In addition, it works together with B group vitamins for proper kidney functioning, heart rate regulation, neural transmission and muscle coordination.
Sources: beef, internal organs, turkey, chicken, eggs, seaweed, pumpkin seeds.
Phytochemicals
Non-essential nutrients from plants. They hold protective properties which can preform several actions. Such as, bind to cells and prevent pathogens from binding, hormonal regulation, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, disturbance of cancer formation and enzyme production.
Sources: apples, berries, broccoli, carrot, sweet potato, cantaloupe, spinach, celery, lettuce, liver, fish oil, kale, beet, summer squash, apricot.
Selenium
A vital micro nutrient which plays a key role for the formation of a number of anti-oxidant enzymes and in the performance of the thyroid gland and immune system.
Sources: beef, beef liver, chicken, turkey, tuna, sardines, eggs, spinach.
Silica
A nutrient that is used to improve the density of bones and the health of the skin, nails, fur, teeth and gums. Helps the body maintain collagen and connective tissues.
Sources: celery, red bell pepper, spinach, asparagus, beet, carrot, banana, sunflower seeds.
Sodium
Regulates blood volume, blood pressure and acidity levels.
Sources: chicken, turkey, beef, beet, peppers, potato, tomato, spinach, banana.
Sulphur
Necessary for the health of all the cells. Present in connective tissues, nervous cells, skin, fur and nails. Assists in metabolic processes including glucose metabolism.
Sources: beef, chicken, turkey, broccoli, bones, kale, bock choy, cabbage, eggs.
Zinc
A vital mineral involved in many metabolic processes, enzymes, protein and DNA formation. In addition, it is vital for bone health, kidney functioning, neurological and reproductive systems.
Sources: lamb, turkey, liver, pumpkin seeds, beef, garbanzo beans, spinach.
Vitamin A
Crucial for the functioning of the nervous system, growth, eye sight, skin health and metabolic processes. It is fat soluble and so toxicity may occur if there are imbalances over time. Cod liver oil contains high levels of this vitamin and so you shouldn’t use it as a supplement for long periods of time. Cats cannot transform Retinol to vitamin A and so must eat liver in their diet in order to provide the natural form of the vitamin.
Sources: liver, heart, carrot, broccoli, sweet potato, kale, spinach, cantaloupe, papaya, eggs, mango.
Vitamin B1 – Thiamin
Important for many cellular functions such as sugar and amino acid catabolism; as well as neurotransmitter biosynthesis. Necessary for the transformation of fats and carbohydrates and formation of hydrochloride acid needed for digestion.
Sources: liver, heart, kale, eggs, fish, sunflower seeds, peas, summer squash, asparagus, white beans.
Vitamin B2 – Riboflavin
Involved in metabolism of energy, fats, ketone bodies, carbohydrates and proteins. Necessary for proper skin, fur, eyes and liver, works as an anti-oxidant and also needed for the formation of red blood cells. In addition, assist the body to change B6 and folic acid into usable forms.
Sources: lamb, heart, beef liver, banana, spinach, salmon, eggs.
Vitamin B3 – Niacin
Involves in almost all process of decreasing oxidation processes in the cells, catabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins and DNA repair. An important factor of fatty acids and cholesterol synthesis. Dogs can transform the amino acid tryptophan to Niacin but not cats. So, they must receive Niacin from food sources.
Sources: turkey, chicken breast, liver, tuna, peas, sunflower seeds, cantaloupe, mango, peach, lettuce, summer squash, broccoli.
Vitamin B5 – Pantothenic acid
Important for amino acid metabolism and enzyme reactions in charge of releasing glucose from glycogen. Plays a role in metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. In addition, this vitamin is involved in the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters, hemoglobin formation and immune response.
Sources: turkey, chicken liver, salmon, broccoli, banana, summer squash, cabbage, spinach, sunflower seeds.
Vitamin B12
Necessary for the formation of red blood cells and neurological activity. Must arrive from food sources. Involved in the metabolism of each body cell, including synthesis of DNA, fatty acids and energy.
Sources: lamb, beef, turkey, heart, beef liver, eggs, sardines, maceral.
Vitamin C
A necessary nutrient for countless metabolic reactions in the body. Plays a major role in the health of the immune system. Considered a natural anti-oxidant and anti-histamine. Helps produce proteins.
Sources: liver, cantaloupe, mango, papaya, berries, broccoli, summer squash, pears, apples, peach, carrot, banana, red bell pepper.
Vitamin D
In charge of calcium and phosphorus absorption. The body can produce small dosages of this vitamin from sun light. Necessary for the health of bones, heart activity, immune and nervous systems.
Sources: heart, liver, eggs, sardines, salmon, maceral, tuna.
Vitamin E
A natural anti-oxidant, enzyme regulator, protect fatty acids against oxidation and plays a role in neurological activity.
Sources: liver, heart, spinach, mango, broccoli, papaya, eggs, sweet potato, sunflower seeds, summer squash.
In conclusion, all the nutrients your pets need are present in real nutritious food ingredients. If you choose the right ingredients and in the needed quantities, you can provide your pet with a balanced and complete diet. One that will support its body systems and provide energy and health.
You are welcome to contact me with any question. I will be happy guiding you in choosing the right diet for your pet.