The Six Main Nutrients

Canine and Feline Nutrition: The Six Main Nutrients and Their Functions
Tarleton State University
Companion Animal Nutrition and Care
Fall 2015
Jenni Hranek

The Six Main Nutrients

In order to evaluate pet foods and make decisions about a dogs or cats nutritional status,
an owner should have a basic understanding of the essentials of nutrition. Nutrition refers to the
study of food, nutrients, and its other components. The six main nutrients needed in any
companion animals diet include: water, protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
Before any dietary modifications are made, it is important to consult your veterinarian first and
follow their recommendations.
Water is the single most important nutrient for the animals body. While animals can live
after losing a majority of their body fat and protein, it only takes a loss of 10% of body water to
result in death (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch, 2011). Water is the easiest nutrient to
provide but is also the most important. Water does not only help maintain adequate hydration for
the animal, it also acts as a transportation system for the nutrients to be dispersed accordingly
throughout the animals body. Additionally, water regulates body temperature, assists in the
proper functioning of cells, and supports biochemical reactions. A feline should consume an
average of 60 mL/kg/day of water, which is approximately 5-10 fluid ounces per day (Peterson,
2011). Most canines are able to self-regulate the amount of daily water consumption required.
However, for those dogs that seem to struggle in this area, it is recommended that a dog drink
0.5-1.0 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch,
2011).
Proteins are complex molecules that contain hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen with
a majority of proteins also having sulfur in them. Proteins are the major structural components of
the body and they have many functions including: forming connective tissue throughout the
body; muscle movement; the major structural components of hair, feathers, nails, skin, tendons,
ligaments, and cartilage; metabolic reactions; nutrient digestion and assimilation; acting as

The Six Main Nutrients

carrier substances in the blood; and regulation of the acid-base balance (Case, Daristotle, Hayek,
and Raasch, 2011). The amount of daily protein needed for a canine or feline is dependent upon
their age, growth, exercise, pregnancy, and lactation. The amount of daily crude protein
recommended for a kitten (weighing 1.8 pounds) is 10 grams, for an adult cat (weighing 9
pounds and consuming 250 calories) is 12.5 grams, and for nursing cats (weighing 9 pounds and
carrying 4 kittens) is 41 grams (Your Cats Nutritional Needs, 2006). The amount of daily crude
protein recommended for a puppy (weighing 12 pounds, 33 pounds at maturity) is 56 grams, for
an adult dog (weighing 33 pounds at maturity) is 25 grams, and for pregnant or nursing dogs
(weighing 33 pounds and carrying 6 puppies) is 69 grams and 158 grams, respectively (Your
Dogs Nutritional Needs, 2006). Obviously, the amount of protein needed will vary depending on
the aforementioned variables for each individual animal, so it is very important that an owner
check the product label of the chosen food, consult a veterinarian, and feed the pet as directed.
Carbohydrates are the major energy-containing constituents of plants, making up
between 60% and 90% of dry-matter (DM) weight (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch, 2011).
Carbohydrates have several functions in the body, including: providing an energy source for
tissues and the heart muscle; aiding with the proper functioning of the central nervous system;
synthesis of essential body compounds such as heparin, glucuronic acid, DNA, and RNA; and
acting as structural components in the bodys tissues (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch,
2011). Additionally, dietary carbohydrates provide animals with an energy source and supports
proper gastrointestinal function. The daily recommended amount of carbohydrate for a kitten
(weighing 1.8 pounds) is 4 grams, for an adult cat (weighing 9 pounds and consuming 250
calories) is 5.5 grams, and for nursing cats (weighing 9 pounds and carrying 4 kittens) is 12
grams (Your Cats Nutritional Needs, 2006). The daily recommended amount of carbohydrate for

The Six Main Nutrients

a a puppy (weighing 12 pounds, 33 pounds at maturity) is 21 grams, for an adult dog (weighing
33 pounds at maturity) is 14 grams, and for pregnant or nursing dogs (weighing 33 pounds and
carrying 6 puppies) is 29 grams and 67 grams, respectively (Your Dogs Nutritional Needs,
2006). Again, it is important for a pet owner to read the label on the food bag and feed according
to the manufacturers recommendations in addition to a veterinarians recommendation.
Dietary fat is part of a group of compounds called lipids, which are classified together
because of their solubility in organic solvents and their insolubility in water (Case, Daristotle,
Hayek, and Raasch, 2011). Fats are further categorized into simple lipids, compound lipids, and
derived lipids. Simple lipids include triglycerides, which are the most common form of fat
present in the diet (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch, 2011). Fat in the diet provides the most
concentrated form of energy out of all the nutrients and has additional functions in the body, such
as: insulation; serving as structural components for cell membranes; participating in the transport
of nutrients and metabolites; transporting fat through the bloodstream; aid in digestion and
absorption; and act as a precursor for the steroid hormones (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch,
2011). The palatability and texture of pet foods is also enhanced by the presence of dietary fats.
The amount of fat calories in a diet for felines or canines can be arrived at by the following
equation: (fat calories/100 gram divided by total calories/100 gram) = % Metabolizable Energy
or ME (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch, 2011). Cats respond well to a diet that is
approximately 9% fat (Your Cats Nutritional Needs, 2006) and dogs respond well to a diet that
is roughly 10-15% fat (Your Dogs Nutritional Needs, 2006). Again, be sure to feed according to
the label on the food bag and following guidelines of your veterinarian.
Vitamins are another main nutrient required for canines and felines. Vitamins are
organic molecules that are needed in minute amounts to function as essential enzymes, enzyme

The Six Main Nutrients

precursors, or coenzymes in many of the bodys metabolic processes (Case, Daristotle, Hayek,
and Raasch, 2011). Vitamins are not used as energy sources or structural compounds and, with a
few exceptions, most vitamins cannot be synthesized by the body and must be supplied in an
animals food (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch, 2011). Vitamins are divided into two
groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K;
the water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and members of the vitamin B-complex group.
Vitamin As functions involve bone growth, vision, reproduction, and maintenance of epithelial
tissue. Vitamin Ds functions are intricately involved with normal calcium and phosphorus
homeostasis in the body (Case, Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch, 2011). Vitamin Es primary
function in the body is that its a potent antioxidant. Additionally, vitamin E also protects vitamin
A and the sulfur-containing amino acids from oxidative damage, vitamin E spares selenium in
the oxidation of cell-membrane fatty acids, and aids with the respiratory system (Case,
Daristotle, Hayek, and Raasch, 2011). Vitamin K is most popular for its role in the blood clotting
mechanism; therefore an imbalance of vitamin K (too much or too little) can be lethal. Vitamin K
is also required for the liver to synthesize prothrombin and clotting factors VII, IX, and X in the
liver. The following are daily recommended allowances for vitamins in canines: Vitamin A (63
ug), Vitamin D (0.4 ug), Vitamin E (2.5 mg), and Vitamin K (82 ug) (Your Dogs Nutritional
Needs, 2006). In felines the daily recommended allowance for Vitamin K is 0.41 mg (Your Cats
Nutritional Needs, 2006). Any supplementation of vitamins should be done only after consult
with and subsequent approval of your veterinarian.
The sixth main nutrient required for cats and dogs is minerals. Minerals are inorganic
elements that make up only about 4% of an animals total body weight; nonetheless, the essential
minerals must be present in the diet to sustain life and maintain health (Case, Daristotle, Hayek,

The Six Main Nutrients

and Raasch, 2011). This nutrient is divided into two classifications: macrominerals and
microminerals. The minerals that occur in substantial amounts in the body and account for a
majority of the bodys mineral content are called macrominerals and they include: calcium,
phosphorus, sulfur, iron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride (Case, Daristotle, Hayek,
and Raasch, 2011). Microminerals are referred to as the trace elements and include a larger
number of minerals that are present in the body in very tiny amounts and are only required in
small quantities in the diet. Calcium and phosphorus aid in strengthening bones and teeth;
magnesium, potassium, and sodium are involved with nerve impulse transmission, muscle
contraction, and cell signaling (Your Dogs Nutritional Needs, 2006). The following details the
mineral and daily recommended allowance for felines and canines as outlined in Your Dogs
Nutritional Needs (2006) and Your Cats Nutritional Needs (2006), respectively:
Daily Recommended Daily Recommended
Allowance: Canine
Allowance: Feline
Calcium
0.75 g
0.18 g
Phosphorus
0.75 g
0.16 g
Magnesium
150 mg
25 mg
Sodium
100 mg
42 mg
Potassium
1g
0.33 g
Chlorine
150 mg
60 mg
Iron
7.5 mg
5 mg
Copper
1.5 mg
0.3 mg
Zinc
15 mg
4.6 mg
Manganese
1.2 mg
0.3 mg
Selenium
90 ug
19 ug
Iodine
220 ug
88 ug
Table 1. Daily Recommended Mineral Allowances for Canines and Felines.
Mineral

By having a basic understanding of the six essential nutrients for canines and felines, an
owner can make the best choice for what type of food, what brand, and how much to feed their
companion. It is important to maintain a balance of all six nutrients (water, carbohydrates,

The Six Main Nutrients

protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals) to provide a pet with the optimum nutrition for its stage of
growth and throughout its life. An owner should also remember to consult their veterinarian
before making any dietary modifications and to follow their recommendations because they are
the professionals and have the most knowledge regarding what is best for the individual animal.

The Six Main Nutrients

References
Case, L. Daristotle, L., Hayek, M., & Raasch, M. (2011). Canine and Feline Nutrition (3rd ed).
Maryland Heights: Mosby Elsevier.
Peterson, M. (2011). Animal Endocrine Clinic: Daily Water Requirements and Needs for Cats.
Web, retrieved September 10, 2015 from
<http://www.animalendocrine.info/2011/10/daily-water-requirements-and-needsfor.html>
Your Cats Nutritional Needs. (2006). Web, retrieved September 10, 2015 from
<http://dels.nas.edu/resources/static-assets/materials-based-onreports/booklets/cat_nutrition_final.pdf>
Your Dogs Nutritional Needs. (2006). Web, retrieved September 10, 2015 from
<http://www.2ndchance.info/homemadediets-NAScanineNutrition.pdf>