More and more, people are embracing the adage, “You are what you eat.” They focus on healthy lifestyle choices, including a balanced diet with all the right vitamins and minerals. So, if the human body needs that critical balance of essential vitamins and minerals, it makes sense that your dog has specific nutritional needs, as well.

Nutrition is at the core of a dog’s healthy and happy life, from puppy to adult and senior stages. Running, jumping, swimming, hunting all require energy and good muscle, nervous system, and heart performance. Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are key components for a dog’s active and healthy life. But what are they, and what is their specific role in a dog’s healthy life?

After reading this blog article, take a moment to look at your dog’s food and treats labels. You should be able to recognize many of the Vitamins, amino acids and minerals mentioned below.

What Good Dog Nutrition Looks Like

Nutritious dog food begins with a varied and balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish, that comes from whole foods- meaning real, fresh food, not meat- or fish - or vegetable derivatives, animal fats, or any other by-products. Good nutrition for dogs requires freshness and phytonutrients, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, high-quality amino acids, vitamins, minerals that stem from a varied and balanced diet.

Essential Nutrients for Dogs

Essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are necessary for dogs to live, just like they are for humans. In fact, dogs and humans need many of the same nutrients from their diets, just in different quantities. Below you’ll find a list of those nutrients that are essential for a dog’s healthy development.

Next time you look at  your dog’s food label, you’ll see why some of the ingredients listed are there for.

Vitamins

These are organic compounds necessary for both dog and human proper metabolism. Here are some of the dog vitamins and their role in your dog’s health:

         Vitamin A - Essential for eye health, cell functioning, immune function, and growth

         Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) - Regulates energy and carbohydrate metabolism

         Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) - Helps maintain healthy eye tissues

         Vitamin B3 (Niacin) - increases free fatty acids and ceramide concentration important for a healthy coat

         Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) - key for metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

         Vitamin B6 - Manufacturing of glucose and the functioning of the nervous system and red blood cells. B6 also helps with hormone regulation and immune system response.

         Vitamin B8 (Biotin) - Essential for healthy skin cells

         Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) - Essential for a healthy brain, immune, and nervous system

         Vitamin C - Antioxidant, essential for vascular and eye health

         Vitamin D - Necessary for healthy bone and muscle growth

         Vitamin K1 - For healthy blood and bones

         Choline - Listed alongside vitamins, although not a vitamin itself, choline is important for a healthy brain, skin, and liver function.

Amino acids

Nutrition is a source of protein that is made up of a long chain of smaller units called amino acids. Known as the building blocks of life, amino acids are important for many body functions.

Dogs need 23 different amino acids to thrive, half of which are manufactured by their bodies. The rest (so-called “essential amino acids”) are Arginine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine and must all come from a food source.

Minerals

For humans and dogs alike, minerals serve many functions in a dog’s body. For example, calcium and phosphorus support bone and teeth development and maintenance. Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and again calcium are essential for the nervous system. Zinc, selenium, copper, and iron are necessary for a healthy immune system.

How does LOONAWELL contribute?

LOONAWELL creates freshly baked premium dog treats made with human-grade quality ingredients. LOONAWELL products are produced in Switzerland and are shipped worldwide. At LOONAWELL, every product contains only those  ingredients that have a positive nutritional value (therefore, colors, flavors, preservatives, and others have been excluded). 

LOONAWELLl's dog treats are bio-certified. We start from high-quality raw materials that are gently processed and freshly baked, so that all the natural vitamins, minerals and amino acids from the raw materials can be found in the final product. The colors and aroma are from the raw materials used, providing the great texture, flavor, and crunchiness your dog loves. All our different treats contain the 10 essential amino acids, as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals, and they represent a great complement to your dog's diet.

Dog nutrition is just as important as a human's. Start your best friend on a healthy path with healthy natural dog treats. Join the LOONAWELL community today. You’ll find us on both Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can also sign up below for our newsletter to learn more about giving your dog the best life possible.

Multi Vitamin Bio Baked Dog Treats

CHF. 16.00

These easily digestible dog treats are perfect for dogs that want to live an active and healthy life. With apples, carrots, ginger, olive oil and nutritional yeast, that all together contribute with folic acid, choline and B-complex vitamins, contributing for a… Read More