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Articles > Senior Dog Food > Nutrients6 Nutrients Your Senior Dog Requires Nutrients are necessary to energize your dog as well as to help his metabolism do its job. Excluding any special needs, disease-related shortages, or directions from your vet, your senior pal should eat all the nutrients included in commercial senior dog food. There are 6 nutrients your senior dog should be eating regularly to ensure him a good quality of life: 1. Water Your dog’s weight is between 60 to 70% water. Some food may contain water; however, your old pal needs to drink fresh water all the time. 2. Proteins These are the main components in cells, tissues, organs, enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, and are crucial for growth, preservation, healing, and reproduction. Old dogs need senior dog food containing mainly animal protein like turkey, chicken, lamb, fish, and beef, which have complete amino acid profiles. Amino acids are the units that compose proteins, and are divided in two categories: - Essential amino acids: your dog can’t synthesize enough of these; thus, they have to be given as part of his diet. - Non-essential amino acids: your dog can synthesize them and do not have to be included in his diet. 3. Vitamins These channel enzyme reactions, and are necessary for the normal metabolic working of dogs. The body can’t synthesize vitamins; thus, they are an essential part of every dog’s diet. Senior dogs may require vitamin supplements depending on their health condition, but be careful not to give your pal more than it is required, because it can make him ill. 4. Carbohydrates These give energy to the body’s tissues and are vital for the intestine’s health. Fibers are carbohydrates that change the assortment of bacteria in the small intestine, and these have to be able to somewhat ferment to be truly beneficial for the dog’s gut. Some good fibers for senior dogs are: -Corn -Rice- Wheat- Beet pulp 5. Minerals These are inorganic compounds that don’t produce energy, aren’t metabolized, and can’t be synthesized by dogs. They are crucial to preserve the structure of bones and teeth, to maintain the balance of fluid, and because of their participation in several metabolic responses. 6. Fats These are crucial in the structure of cells, are necessary for the production of certain hormones, and give your dog two times the energy of proteins and carbohydrates. Without fats, your dog’s body would not be able to absorb and use fat-soluble vitamins, and these create body insulation and protect the organs. Some essential fatty acids your senior dog needs are: Linoleic acid, omega-6, and omega-3. The last two are crucial to beat inflammation in the skin, the joints, the intestines, or the kidneys.
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