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Food is any substance liquid or solid which provides the body with materials for heat and energy, for growth and repair and for the regulation of the body process.

Protein;

Used for building and repairing body tissues and offers some heat and energy can be found in meat, fish, poultry, game, milk, cheese, eggs, pulses and cereals.

Carbohydrate;

Provides heat and energy is found in flour, flour products and cereals, sugar, honey, fruit and vegetables.

Fat;

Provides heat and energy is found in butter, margarine, cooking fat, oils, cheese, fatty meat and oily fish.

The dogs requirement for water is at least as important as any other nutrient. Daily intake is necessary to replace water loss from the body via urine, faeces, skin and lungs and in productive secretions such as milk.

It is taken into the body in several forms, drinking water, as a component of food, or as metabolic water, which is released during the breakdown of protein, fat and carbohydrate.

Are organic compounds that help to regulate the body process. Most vitamins cannot be made by the body and therefore must be present in the diet; they can be divided into two groups, fat-soluble A, D, E and K. and water-soluble B-complex and C.

Vitamin A or retinol;

Essential in diet, necessary for healthy skin and normal growth and development, it is found in liver, fats, oils, egg yolks and cereal grain germ. It is produced by the body from carotenes found in green vegetables, carrots and the yellow and orange pigments of most fruit and vegetables. It is toxic in excess (hypervitiminosis).

Vitamin D or cholecalciferol;

Essential for the formation of strong bones and teeth and is found in liver, fats, oils, egg yolks and cereal grain germ. It is toxic in excess (hypercalcaemia).

Vitamin E or tocopherols;

An antioxidant found in liver, fats, plant seed oils, egg yolks, and cereal grain germ. It is toxic in excess (pansteatitis) although unlikely to occur as high doses may be tolerated.

Vitamin K or naphthoquinones;

A blood clotting agent, it has minimal requirement in diet as it is produced by intestinal bacteria. It is found in liver, fats, oils and cereal grain germ. It is not stored in the body. It is of low toxicity but too much can cause anaemia in young animals.

The vitamin B group

This group comprises of Bl Thiamine, B2 Riboflavin, Niacin, B6 Pyridoxine, Pantothenic acid, Folic acid, Biotin and Cabalamin B12.Their function is as coenzymes in many of the reactions involved in making use of food. Many are produced by intestinal bacteria and are also found in liver, egg yolks, yeast, whole cereal grains, and potatoes. Excesses are not usually toxic.

Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid;

There is no dietary requirement for vitamin C in healthy animals because they are able to synthesise it from glucose. It may be beneficial in some circumstances such as stress disorders. It is found in fresh fruit and vegetables and is not toxic in excess. Minerals are inorganic nutrients, which are sometimes referred to collectively as 'ash'. They can be divided into Macrominerals, which are needed in relatively large amounts and Microminerals or trace elements, which are required in relatively small or trace amounts.

Calcium;

Necessary for bone and teeth development, necessary for blood clotting, nerve and muscle function. It is found in milk cheese bread and flour, cereals and green vegetables.

Also necessary for bone and teeth development, for energy utilisation and various enzyme systems, found in milk, cheese, bread, cereals, meat and meat products.

Maintains osmotic pressure, acid-base and water balance, is found in meat, vegetables, milk and fruit.

Magnesium;

Necessary for bone and teeth development. Also needed for activity of some enzymes, is found in milk, bread, potatoes and vegetables.

Essential for maintenance of fluid balance, for nerve activity and muscle contraction, found in meat, vegetables, milk and fruit.

The component of many enzymes and is necessary for haemoglobin formation, found in green vegetables, fish and liver.

Iodine;

Concerned with the general metabolic activity of the body and control the rate of energy production in all cells, is found in milk, sea food and iodized salt.

Iron;

An essential component of haemoglobin of blood cells, is found in meat, offal, bread and flour, potatoes and vegetables.

Manganese;

Forms part of some enzyme systems and is found in tea, cereals, pulses and nuts.

Selenium;

Associated with vitamin E activity and is found in cereals, meat and fish.

Cobalt;

Required for the formation of red blood cells and is found in liver and other meats.

Zinc;

Involved in energy changes and protein formation, found in meat, meat products, milk, cheese, bread and cereal products.

Chromium, Fluoride, Nickel, Molybdenum, Silicon, Vanadium and Arsenic. Although these are necessary for normal health the amounts required in a healthy diet are very low.

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Copyright © 2005 Mary Nelson
Last modified: May 01, 2005