Your Dog's Diet:   Minerals, Vitamins and Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates in the Diet

Plants are the main source of carbohydrates. You also will find that glycogen comes from meat and is another source of carbohydrates. The meat sources only have a small amount of carbohydrates in the muscles and livers. If you do not feed your dog enough carbohydrates, they will not have enough glucose and the liver has to work harder to make the glucose from the proteins. If your dog does have enough carbohydrates in their diet, their bodies then use the proteins for other body requirements.

Vitamins in the Diet

Vitamins do not produce energy in your dog, but they do have some importance for your dog. There are six things you should know about vitamins.

The skin and the coat need vitamin A and sometimes vitamin B. A dog with a dull coat and poor skin is usually lacking the need vitamins.

Vitamin B helps build a strong immune system that all dogs need. Some studies have concluded that vitamin C helps to prevent hip dysplasia. Vitamin D is needed for the growth of healthy bones and teeth. Without enough of this vitamin, the teeth are weak and the bones can become brittle. Vitamin E protects the body from some cancers and works as an antioxidant, which prevents heart problems.   Vitamin K is needed to help with blood clotting.

Minerals are Needed

Strong bones and cartilage requires calcium ad phosphorous. In order for the nervous system to function properly, the dog needs minerals. Muscle metabolism is promoted with a supplement of minerals.   Hormones are produced with minerals and the minerals help in the transport of oxygen in the blood.

Other minerals in the dog's body can be affected by to little or to much of one mineral. Some minerals only work when another mineral is present. Take for instance iron and copper, you need both of these minerals to produce hemoglobin. Red blood cells are produced by the intake of iron and copper is just as important in the formation of hemoglobin. If you do not provide both minerals together, neither one will work, as they need too.

Keep in mind that providing the proper diet does supply the recommended daily requirement for carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. This is why it is so important to feed your dog a proper diet of dog food.

Article by Kelly Perry
of Oh My Dog Supplies