Proteins in dog food. How many proteins do you need a dog? | senado.online

A correct and balanced nutrition for dogs is based on the supply of all the necessary nutrients, namely proteins, fats or water. Being carnivores, dogs get their energy mainly from fats (about 60%), but mainly from proteins (about 30%).

Proteins are the main constitutive element of organisms. Its food offer has a decisive impact on the quality of life and functions. Proteins have many important functions that represent the pillar of the growth and development of organisms. The familiarity of them and the basic elements will allow you to manage the diet of your pet in a more conscious way, taking into account its nutritional needs.

Some of the functions of dog proteins:

1. Construction of body fabrics, hormones and enzymes, for example collagen, elastin
2. Regulation of metabolic processes
3. Maintain the homeostasis of the body
4. Muscle movements/contractions
5. storage and transport of components and substances, for example hemoglobin
6. Immunology

How are proteins built? How does the dog’s body affect proteins?

Proteins are made up of a sequence of amino acids and determine the quality of the protein. To keep fit and healthy, dogs need an essential amino acid diet, that is, amino acids that their body cannot produce alone. Include 10 amino acids:

• Lizine – stimulate bone growth and secretion of digestive juices

• memoine – Precursor for the taurine, protects and detoxifies liver cells, maintains urinary pH, deficiency = hair loss

• tryptophan – precursor of niacin (vitamin B) and serotonin (happiness hormone), deficiency = hair loss

• Tray – precursor of thyroid hormones, together with phenylalanine, influence mood, skin and fur

• arginine – involved in immune reactions and in the production of growth hormones

• histidine – has an analgesic effect and stimulates the secretion of digestive juices

• Phenilalanine – Precursor of tyrosine, affects the production of adrenaline and norepinephrine

• Valina, Leucina, Isoleucina – helps to adjust the level of sugar and stress, preventing the degradation of proteins, are kept in the muscles and transformed into energy during hunger

Proteins in dog food

When we consider proteins in a dog’s diet, it is important not only of quantity, but also of quality, which is related to the type of protein in the food served. There is a distinction between vegetables and animals. Everyone has a different digestibility and composition of amino acids. Animal proteins are more suitable for carnivores and, compared to vegetable ones, they are digested up to six times better by their body. However, although the meat is the best source of dog protein, each species of meat has a different protein content and will not provide all amino acids in the diet of a long -term dog. Therefore, it is important to introduce variety, which is particularly important when feeding on low quality foods or meals are not balanced. High flesh goodies are ideal as a healthy variety.

Dignerability of food to proteins in dog food

High quality foods and prizes have a digestibility of 80-90%proteins, while the weakest products, with a high content of plants and cereals, often do not reach 70%. The lower digestibility is associated with a worst condition of the dog, perpetual hunger, weakening of muscle tissue and feeding with more food for the dog’s tired.

Puppies proteins?

Dogs, young and elderly dogs, as well as females in pregnancy and breastfeeding the breasts have an increase in the need for protein. In these phases of life, only 33-35% of the proteins consumed are intended for the functioning of the body and the rest – about 65% – it is necessary for the growth of the tissues. This is also the moment when proteins cannot be used as a source of energy, since this leads to unfavorable compounds, for example ketone or aldehydes, which negatively influence the function of the internal organs, mainly the liver and spleen. This is the most important during the puppy’s period, in which protein deficiency leads to a delayed or even hit increase and a low body weight.

How many proteins do you need a dog?

In the case of adult dogs, the proteins provided to the body are mainly intended to meet the vital requirements for life. This includes the exchange of amino acids, the growth of new cells, the construction of enzymes and hormones and the strengthening of cellular metabolism.

The necessary existence is different in each individual. It varies according to the size of the dog, its activity, health and many other factors. On average, it can be assumed that adult animals need 2-2.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight (at least 18% in dry food). These figures refer to high quality animal proteins, with a bioavailability near 100%. As the digestibility of proteins decreases (lower quality or vegetable proteins), the number of grams of proteins that we must provide to the dog – up to 7 g/kg of body weight. In dogs and dogs growing, the protein content in food should not be less than 22%and in pregnancy feeding and lactops of 22-26%.

It should be remembered that at least half of the recommended protein needs must be covered by animal proteins.

In addition to the high protein requirements, growing dogs also have a greater need for some amino acids: methionine, arginine and tryptophan.

In healthy dogs, only a lack of animal protein in nutrition can cause damage. The feeding even too much protein does not damage, with the exception of individuals suffering from liver or kidney disorders: here is the introduction of adequate treatment and diet, adapted to the problem.

Karolina łuszczyk