The ignored ingredient - carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: are composed of three elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Since the proportion of hydrogen and oxygen contained is the same as that of water, That's why it's called carbohydrates.
The main function of carbohydrates in the body is to supply energy. Excess carbohydrates can be converted into fat in the body and stored. Excessive carbohydrate intake may cause obesity in dogs. Therefore, when choosing dog food, we should pay attention to the carbohydrate content in the ingredient list.

Essential ingredient for dogs - protein

All important components of the body require the participation of protein.
Generally speaking, protein accounts for about 18% of the total mass of the body. It is the most abundant substance in the dog's body besides water. It is the most important nutrient that constitutes organs and tissues and realizes various physiological functions. Dogs are omnivorous animals, and animal protein content in their food should account for a large proportion.
When purchasing dog food, you should pay attention to the crude protein level of the dog food, which is the raw material source of protein. The protein source of dog food products is usually boneless chicken, chicken meal, poultry by-product meal or animal by-product meal.
The protein consumability and absorbability of different raw materials are different. Especially when the crude protein levels of two dog food products are similar, we should identify the source of their protein raw materials to distinguish the good from the bad. In some poor pet foods, indigestible feather meal is used as a protein source to reduce costs. Additionally, melamine is added to dog food to achieve standard protein levels. Therefore, consumers should pay special attention to this point. We must buy high-quality dog ​​food, which is not only cheap but also does not consider the nutrition of dog food.

Dog’s energy source - fat

The general term for lipids is an important source of energy required by the dog’s body, the main component of tissues and cells, and the solvent for fat-soluble vitamins. , can promote the absorption and utilization of vitamins.
Dog food usually has a high content of fat and is prone to oxidation and rancidity when stored for a long time. Therefore, antioxidants must be used to prevent the oxidation of fats. Usually high-quality dog ​​food will use natural antioxidants to prevent fat oxidation problems.

Vitamin is an indispensable element for dogs

Its function is to ensure the healthy growth of dogs. Although the content is very small, it can Play an important role in regulating physiological functions. Vitamins can enhance the functions of the nervous system, blood vessels, muscles and other systems, and participate in the composition of enzyme systems.
Based on solubility as the classification standard, vitamins can be divided into water-soluble vitamins and insoluble vitamins. Since fat-soluble vitamins are excreted slowly, excessive intake may cause poisoning, while water-soluble vitamins may be poisoned if consumed in excess.Soluble vitamins are excreted quickly, so even if they are taken in excess, there is generally no problem. 5. Minerals: They are the tissue cells of the dog's body, the main components of bones, and the basic substances for maintaining acid-base balance and osmotic pressure. They are also the main components of many enzymes, hormones and vitamins. Plays an important role in promoting metabolism, blood coagulation, neuroregulation and maintaining the heart. A balanced ratio of minerals is also important. In dog food, synthetic vitamins and minerals are usually added. Even in so-called "natural food", "synthetic" premixes are used, which are one or more trace elements and diluents or diluents. The carrier is a substance that is proportioned as required.
In fact, “natural” is not necessarily good, and “synthetic” is not necessarily bad. "Synthetic" vitamins and minerals have huge advantages over "natural" vitamins and minerals. "Synthetic" vitamins and minerals have relatively high purity, few impurities, stable activity, easy production and processing, and easy control of formulas. These are things that "natural" vitamins and minerals cannot achieve.

Other functional ingredients

In addition to the above five types of essential nutrients, high-quality dog ​​food generally also adds certain functional ingredients to enrich Nutrients to enhance the dog’s nutrient absorption. The following four ingredients are also very important for the growth of dogs. Dog lovers should also pay attention when purchasing dog food.
Yucca extract - can effectively reduce the emission of harmful gases, reduce the odor of feces, and improve the dog's immunity.
Sodium hexametaphosphate - can effectively remove dental calculus and reduce dental calculus accumulation.
Probiotics and prebiotics - can effectively regulate the balance of intestinal flora, promote intestinal health, and promote the digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate - can effectively nourish joints and cartilage tissue and reduce the occurrence of joint problems.
The above is a brief introduction to the various nutrients commonly used in commercial dog food to maintain the health and growth of dogs. Due to the complexity of the types and contents of various nutrients, it is difficult for ordinary homemade dog food to meet the nutritional needs of dogs. It is easy to cause overnutrition or undernutrition. Therefore, choosing high-quality, complete-price dog food is to ensure the nutritional balance and healthy growth of your dog. best choice.