Essential Nutrients for Puppy Health Found in Science Diet Food
What are the 6 essential nutrients?
The six essential nutrients are vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, water, and carbohydrates. People need to consume these nutrients from dietary sources for proper body function.
Essential nutrients are crucial in supporting a persons reproduction, good health, and growth. These essential nutrients are divided into two categories: micronutrients and macronutrients.
Micronutrients are nutrients that a person needs in small doses. Micronutrients consist of vitamins and minerals. Although the body only needs small amounts of them, a deficiency can cause ill health.
Macronutrients are nutrients that a person needs in larger amounts. Macronutrients include water, protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
Keep reading for more information about where to find these nutrients, and why a person needs them.
Vitamins are micronutrients that offer a range of health benefits, including:
- boosting the immune system
- helping prevent or delay certain cancers, such as prostate cancer
- strengthening teeth and bones
- aiding calcium absorption
- maintaining healthy skin
- helping the body metabolize proteins and carbs
- supporting healthy blood
- aiding brain and nervous system functioning
There are 13 essential vitamins that nutritionists divide into two groups: fat soluble and water soluble.
Fat soluble vitamins are:
Water soluble vitamins are:
Typically, a person who eats a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins can get all the vitamins they need in their food. However, those who eat less fruit and vegetables, and those with digestive conditions may need to take a vitamin supplement to reduce or avoid a deficiency.
Find out what vitamins are and what they do here.
Minerals are the second type of micronutrients. There are two groups of minerals: major and trace minerals. The body needs a balance of minerals from both groups for optimal health.
Major minerals are:
Major minerals help the body to do the following:
- balance water levels
- maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails
- improve bone health
Trace minerals are:
Trace minerals help with:
- strengthening bones
- preventing tooth decay
- aiding in blood clotting
- helping to carry oxygen
- supporting the immune system
- supporting healthy blood pressure
A person can ensure they consume enough minerals by including the following foods in their diet.
- red meats (limit their use and choose lean cuts)
- seafood
- iodized table salt (
less than 2,300 milligrams a day ) - milk and other dairy products
- nuts and seeds
- vegetables
- leafy greens
- fruits
- poultry
- fortified bread and cereals
- egg yolks
- whole grains
- beans and legumes
Protein is a macronutrient that every cell in the body needs to function properly.
Proteins carry out
- ensuring the growth and development of muscles, bones, hair, and skin
- forming antibodies, hormones, and other essential substances
- serving as a fuel source for cells and tissues when needed
A person can take in proteins through their diet. The following foods are good sources of protein:
Although meats and fish tend to contain the highest levels of protein, vegans and vegetarians can get enough protein from various plant products.
Learn how much protein a person needs each day.
People often associate high fat foods with bad health. However, a person needs certain fats to help maintain optimal health.
Fats provide the body with energy and help it carry out a range of functions. However, it is essential to consume healthful fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and limit or avoid saturated and trans fats.
Healthful fats help with the following functions:
- cell growth
- blood clotting
- building new cells
- reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
- muscle movement
- balance blood sugar
- brain functioning
- mineral and vitamin absorption
- hormone production
- immune function
According to recent
A person can find healthful fats in several foods, including:
- nuts
- fish, such as salmon and tuna
- vegetable oils
- seeds
Find out the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats.
Carbohydrates are essential to the body. They are sugars or starches that provide energy
There are two different types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. People should limit their intake of simple carbohydrates, such as white bread, pasta, and rice. However, the body needs complex carbohydrates to support the following:
- the immune system
- brain function
- the nervous system
- energy to perform tasks
- digestive function
The
The following foods contain complex carbohydrates:
- quinoa
- brown rice
- vegetables
- whole grain pasta, bread, and other baked goods
- oatmeal
- fruits
- barley
People should avoid overly processed products that contain bleached, white flour, and foods with added sugar.
Learn the difference between good and bad carbs here.
Water is probably the most important essential nutrient that a person needs. A person can only survive a few days without consuming water. Even slight dehydration can cause headaches and impaired physical and mental functioning.
The human body is made up of mostly water, and every cell requires water to function. Water helps with several functions, including:
- flushing toxins out
- shock absorption
- transporting nutrients
- preventing constipation
- lubrication
- hydration
The best source for water is to drink natural, unsweetened water from the tap or bottled sources. For people who do not like the taste of plain water, they can add a squeeze of lemon or other citrus fruits.
Also, a person can get extra water by consuming fruits that contain a large amount of water.
People should avoid getting their water intake from sugary drinks. Sugary drinks include sweetened teas, coffees, soda, lemonade, and fruit juices.
Find out how much water to drink to avoid dehydration.
A person needs to consume all six types of essential nutrients to ensure the best possible health. These nutrients support vital functions, including growth, the immune, the central nervous system, and preventing disease.
Typically, a person who eats a healthful, balanced diet that includes lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, and water will get the nutrients they need.
People with digestive issues, who take certain medications, or have other conditions may require supplements to help them get the bodys essential nutrients.
An individual should speak to their doctor about any medical conditions and the medications they are taking before they start to take any supplements. Also, they may want to see a dietitian or nutritionist to discuss their nutritional intake before they begin taking any supplements.
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Puppy nutrition
Puppies grow rapidly. At times during their rapid growth and development from weaning until approximately 4 to 6 months of age, puppies, depending on the breed size, require approximately three times more calories, proteins, vitamins and minerals per kilogram of body weight as adult dogs of the same breed size and a higher nutrient intake to support their growing bodies.
The first food a breeder introduces to puppies should provide complete and balanced nutrition to meet the nutrient requirements of growing puppies. With proper nutrition, puppies are more likely to develop properly and have strong bones and teeth, healthy vision, a thick lustrous coat and strong muscles.
Although rapid growth in many breeds begins to plateau by 6 months of age, puppies continue to grow and develop for several months longer depending on the breed size of dog, with smaller breeds reaching physical maturity at a younger age compared to large and giant breed dogs. During this period, their nutrient requirements per kilogram of body weight are still greater than they will be as adults, and thus, they should continue to be fed a food specially formulated for growth.
Large and giant breeds, such as Great Dane, St. Bernard and Newfoundland, may not mature physically until nearly 2 years old. These breeds, as well as any puppy with an anticipated adult weight of 30kg or greater, should be fed a growth diet specifically formulated for large breed puppies for their entire growth period.
Nutrient balance is important
The nutritional health of puppies, just like adult dogs, depends on receiving the correct amounts and proportions of six essential nutrients:
- carbohydrates
- protein
- fat
- vitamin
- mineral
- water
To be considered complete, a puppy food should contain all essential nutrients, except water, which should always be accessible. These nutrients must also be present in the proper proportion to ensure a puppy food is balanced. The description on the pet food label will state if a product provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing puppies. Though fat, protein and calcium tend to get the greater emphasis in puppy foods, every single essential nutrient is key, especially during the period of rapid growth. Deficiencies in any essential nutrient can compromise short- or long-term health.
Feeding a complete and balanced puppy food is important for numerous reasons. Here are a few examples of problems that can happen if nutrients are not balanced:
- A zinc deficiency can contribute to compromised immune function and skin abnormalities
- Too little protein can cause disturbed growth as well as immune compromise and increased susceptibility to various stressor and infectious agents
- Calcium balanced with phosphorus is particularly critical for large breed dogs, as too little or too much can lead to skeletal problems
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Keeping puppies fit
Along with providing complete and balanced nutrition, puppies of all breed sizes need an appropriate amount of calories during growth. This is defined as the amount that supports normal growth and maintains the puppy at an optimal, lean body condition.
Maximal growth is not optimal growth. Overfeeding and excessive weight gain in large dogs is a risk factor for developmental orthopaedic conditions such as hip dysplasia. When feeding a large breed puppy, research shows that avoiding overfeeding benefits skeletal development. A breeder or owner should monitor a puppys weight and body condition score, adjusting food intake as necessary to maintain ideal body condition.
Just as in adult dogs, ideal body condition means that the ribs are easily palpable with minimal fat covering and that the waist is easily noted when viewed from above. A puppy in ideal body condition has an obvious abdominal tuck when viewed from the side. Even puppies not predisposed to skeletal problems should be maintained at a lean body condition, since overweight pups often become overweight or obese dogs, with increased risks for various health problems.
Some breeds and some individual puppies may have higher or lower energy needs compared to average. Puppies should be fed a measured amount, or a weighed amount for more precision, of a complete and balanced puppy food at each meal.
The pet food label provides general guidelines to serve as a starting point, but the amount of food should be adjusted as needed to maintain a lean body condition for that specic puppy. Keep in mind that all additional foods including training treats contain calories. Treats should not exceed 10% of the puppys daily caloric intake in order to prevent excessive weight gain and unbalancing the puppys nutrient intake.
Matching caloric density of the food to a puppys energy needs is important. If a puppy eats everything offered and then seems excessively hungry after or between meals, a diet with a lower energy density that has fewer kilocalories per gram may help with satiety, since the puppy can be offered a large volume of the lower calorie food.
Conversely, if a puppy is unable to eat sufficient volume of a food to maintain weight or if the volume appears excessive such that the dog looks bloated after meals, a puppy food that is more calorie dense may be beneficial, because a smaller volume can be fed to meet energy and nutrient needs.
One thing to keep in mind is frequently switching foods is likely to create a pattern of pickiness and/or obesity in a puppy. Beyond that, the key is to select a complete and balanced puppy food that matches the energy needs of the puppy.
Feeding puppies wisely
- Puppies should be fed a food specially formulated for growth and development until they reach physical maturity
- DHA is an essential nutrient to support brain and vision development
- Large and giant breeds do not mature until they are nearly 2 years old. Therefore, until they reach maturity, they should be fed a diet specifically formulated for large breed puppies in an amount that maintains lean body condition to prevent excessive weight
- Small breed and toy breed puppies should be given food with nutrient dense, bite-sized kibble. The smaller kibble size makes it easier for small mouths to chew
Hill's Puppy Food: Quality Ingredients for Health & Nutrition
All Hill's pet foods combine exceptional health benefits with excellent value at just pennies more per day than grocery brands and come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee that your pet will love the taste.
Hill's puppy foods
Hill's puppy foods provide complete and balanced nutrition for growing puppies. Depending on the specific needs of your pet, your veterinarian can recommend which Hill's Science Diet puppy food is best for your new puppy.
All Hill's puppy foods contain:
- A powerful combination of antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system*
- Natural DHA to promote better brain and vision development*
- Fatty acids to support healthy function of the nervous and immune systems, and promote healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Highly digestible carbohydrates to supply abundant energy for lively puppies
- All the essential vitamins and minerals needed to provide a complete balance for growth
- A great taste your puppy will love
- Natural preservatives
*Dry formulas only
DHA and why it's important
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid found naturally in the breast milk of dogs. As a major building block of the brain, DHA is critical for vision and central nervous system development. Foods enhanced with DHA, like Hill's puppy foods, help puppies reach their potential for body and brain development.
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development
- Optimal levels of DHA from high quality fish oil for healthy brain and eye development.
- Clinically proven antioxidants for a healthier immune system.
- Precisely balanced nutrition, proven to ensure ideal body weight.
After feeding your puppy specially formulated Hill's puppy foods for his first year, you can now choose from a wide variety of Science Diet pet foods and Prescription Diet pet foods for a complete line of great-tasting nutrition for your pet based on age, activity level and special needs.
