5 Essential Pet Food Nutrients in a Healthy Meal

1. For sustaining a healthy life and to perform the survival activities properly, your pet needs proper nutrition. A balanced diet should include all essential nutrients for your pet, regardless of its age or physical activity. Look out for these five nutrients when you purchase pet food. This will help you decide how much your pet has eaten. These biomolecules are different for different animals so there is no one size fits all. 1. Proteins As the essential building blocks of tissues and bones, healthy proteins must be part of every pet's diet. Amino acid chains are essential for maintaining a healthy body and muscle structure. Proteins cannot be compromised in your pet’s food. There are two sources of proteins for pet food i. Animal protein Carnivorous pets must eat this type of protein. The animal protein or meat protein is mostly from the skeletal and smooth muscles of slaughtered animals. When buying pet food, opt for the one with the maximum quantity of such a portion. Many food companies offer frozen meat, or they add it to dry food. Dry protein can be fed dry or soaked as per your pet's preference. ii. Plant protein All types of proteins herbivorous animals eat are from plants. These amino acids can be obtained from nuts, grains, and seeds. They are either given directly to the animals or crushed and added to prepared food. Look out for smaller amounts of plant-based protein when you purchase pet food. 2. Carbohydrates Glucose acts as a main energy source for the body in animals too. Most vets do not recommend too many carbs in pet food but it really depends on what your little friend likes. Animals have the same preferences regarding carbohydrate choices as humans. On this basis, there are two types of carbs and they metabolize differently. i. Simple carbs These are all the carbs found in all delicious things. Means all refined things like white bread, pizza dough, etc. These are the carbs to be aware of as pet food companies often add them to their products to make it more appealing to animals. It might be a good idea to start with refined carbs if your pet is not eating anything. But getting them used to such carbs can be harmful in the long run. Simple carbs have a high glycemic index which means that they will be absorbed in large amounts in your pet's

2. bloodstream and would raise the blood sugar level. With frequent consumption, these high sugar levels would cause insulin resistance and diabetes which is common mostly among dogs and cats with no physical activity. ii. Complex carbs Pet food should contain a lower percentage of complex carbs than protein. They have a low glycemic index and take longer to digest which would keep your pet full for a longer time. When combined with healthy proteins, they can provide satiety and good health. This is why portion control in nutrients is necessary. Before you buy pet food, check for the source and percentage of carbs in it. Whole grains and starchy veggies are the best sources. 3. Fats Fat sources usually appear with protein or carbohydrates portions, especially in dog food. But there are two different kinds of fats too and animals need them both at different stages. i. Saturated fats Although not all animals require it, most do. Domestic pets attain saturated fats in the form of butter mixed in milk or on bread with meat. They are important in building the lipid portion in the cell membranes that's why these are mostly given to newborns of cats, dogs, and cattle. You can also add these fats to your grown pet's meal if it lives in a cold climate. Animals without fur can beat the cold by burning fats within their bodies. ii. Unsaturated fats These are called omega fatty acids, and they are essential for pets' development in the early stages. Nevertheless, pet food should contain small amounts of unsaturated fats. 4. Water content Many animals don't like to drink water or have difficulty digesting dry food. You can help them by soaking the pet food in water littlest pet shop show before you give it to them. This would keep them safe from digestive distress and dehydration. Dry pet food is better than wet, as it lacks important nutrients that can be absorbed water. 5. Micronutrients Along with water content and macronutrients, pet food requires vitamins, zinc, calcium, and many others in just a few milligrams for proper tissue growth and elasticity, healthy bones, and proper brain functioning. These nutrients act as co-factors, helping macronutrients to properly metabolize.