Nutrition Basics

Jun 14, 20232 min read

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There is a lot of information out there about what our dogs may or may not need. It's a complex subject because each dog has a unique set of variable to consider and their nutritional needs may vary.

You can ask your vet what they specifically choose, but even then, a lot of vets don't have much experience with or education about nutrition. There are veterinary nutritionists and that would be your best option if you wanted to have a detailed nutrition plan made for your dog.

Are dogs carnivores? Omnivores? Let's look at their digestive tract, since that's the organ system that deals directly with digesting the nutrients we feed our dog. They're more like an "opportunivore". Read below from Hills Pet.

"Strict or true carnivores, such as cats, have a higher nutritional requirement for taurine (an amino acid), arachidonic acid (a fatty acid), and certain vitamins (niacin, pyridoxine, vitamin A), which are readily available in animal protein and fat sources.

Omnivores, such as dogs and people, don't have higher requirements for taurine and certain vitamins and can create their own arachidonic acid from vegetable oils.

Omnivore qualities

There are other nutritional, behavioral and physical factors that separate the omnivore and carnivore worlds:

Dogs have teeth (molars) with relatively flat surfaces designed to grind up bones as well as fibrous plant material.

Dogs can digest almost 100% of the carbohydrates they consume.2

Dogs have a small intestine that occupies about 23 percent of the total gastrointestinal volume, which is consistent with other omnivores; the small intestine of cats occupies only 15 percent.3,4

Dogs can create vitamin A from betacarotene found in plants."

https://www.hillspet.co.id/dog-care/behavior-appearance/are-dogs-carnivores-or-omnivores#:~:text=Some%20folks%20have%20come%20to,both%20animal%20and%20plant%20foodstuffs.

Dog's basic nutritional needs:

Fat

Protein

Water

Carbohydrates

Amino Acids

Vitamins

Minerals

Anti-Oxidants

Here are some other resources: Keep in mind, each source may provide different info so don't stress about it, just ask your vet!