Nutrition & Nutrients

Nutrients for Dogs: What Dogs Really Need

Nutrients are components of food that provide energy, ensure bodily functions, or build tissues. These include protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.

What do nutrients mean for dogs?

Nutrients are all substances in food that a dog’s body needs for growth, maintenance, reproduction, and activity. They are divided into two main groups: macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates, water) provide energy and building blocks, while micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) regulate metabolic processes. A diet that provides all essential nutrients in the right amounts is the foundation of any responsible dog nutrition plan.

The official reference values for dogs are provided by the National Research Council (NRC 2006) and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF 2024). Both organizations define minimum requirements, recommended intakes, and upper safety limits for each life stage and body weight. In Germany and Europe, the FEDIAF guidelines are mandatory for commercial pet food.

Background and Academic Context

Dogs are classified as carnivores with a pronounced omnivorous adaptation. Genomic studies (Axelsson et al. 2013) have shown that, over the course of domestication, dogs have developed additional copies of the amylase gene (AMY2B)—they digest starch significantly better than wolves. This makes the dog a dietary generalist.

Essential nutrients are those that the body cannot produce on its own, or cannot produce in sufficient quantities. In dogs, these include ten amino acids (including arginine, lysine, and methionine), the fatty acids linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, all vitamins except vitamin C (which dogs synthesize themselves), and eleven minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iodine (NRC 2006).

The research on micronutrient deficiencies in homemade meals is alarmingly clear: Pedrinelli et al. (2019) examined 75 homemade meals and found at least one nutrient deficiency in 95 percent of them; Stockman et al. (2013) reported similar deficiencies in 200 recipes found online.

Vitomalia-Position

We recommend treating dog nutrition as a health issue, not a lifestyle choice. A complete supply of all essential nutrients is non-negotiable—whether through dry food, wet food, BARF, or home-cooked meals. If you prepare your dog’s food yourself, you should work with a veterinary nutritionist to create a recipe tailored to your dog’s needs.

We reject sweeping statements such as “dogs don’t need grains” or “carbohydrates are harmful.” Such claims are not scientifically sound. The trend toward extremely high-protein diets without calculating nutritional needs can also be problematic for senior dogs or those with kidney issues.

When do nutrients become particularly important?

Meeting nutritional needs becomes particularly important during the following stages of life:

  • Puppy stage (see Puppy Feeding): increased need for calcium, phosphorus, and protein
  • Pregnancy and lactation: Energy and calcium requirements can increase up to threefold
  • Older adults: reduced energy needs, but steady or increasing micronutrient requirements
  • Working and sporting dogs: increased fat and energy requirements
  • Medical conditions: specific adjustments for kidney, liver, allergy, or gastrointestinal disorders

Practical application

  1. Calculate energy requirements: Resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 ×kg0.75. Multiply by a factor of 1.2 to 1.8 depending on activity level.
  2. Choose a complete and balanced main diet: Look for products labeled as "complete and balanced " and formulated in accordance with FEDIAF standards.
  3. Check the nutritional information: crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, crude ash, moisture—plus the most important minerals should be listed.
  4. If preparing the solution yourself: always use a needs-based calculation and a mineral supplement.
  5. Make changes gradually: transition to a new diet over seven to ten days to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
  6. Veterinary examination: Complete blood count and, if necessary, assessment of mineral status for special diets.

Common Mistakes and Myths

  • "Dogs are wolves—they only need meat." Genetically incorrect. Dogs have developed the ability to digest starch (Axelsson 2013) and require a much broader range of nutrients than strict carnivores.
  • "More protein is always better." Excess protein is excreted and can strain the kidneys in people with pre-existing conditions.
  • "Home-cooked meals are automatically healthier." Pedrinelli et al. (2019) clearly refuted this: 95 percent of home-cooked meals were found to be deficient.
  • "Every dog needs extra calcium." No. In complete and balanced dog foods, additional calcium can disrupt the calcium-phosphorus balance and lead to skeletal problems.
  • "Dogs need to take vitamin C supplements." False. Dogs synthesize vitamin C themselves from glucose.

State of the art in 2026

The 2006 NRC recommendations remain the gold standard, but will be supplemented in 2025/26 by the WSAVA guidelines and FEDIAF updates. Current research focuses on the gut microbiome (Pilla & Suchodolski 2021) and the role of bioactive substances such as omega-3 fatty acids in regulating inflammation. Studies on personalized nutrition are in their infancy. What is well established: Deficiencies have clear clinical consequences. What remains unclear: optimal amounts for healthy longevity and individual variations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What nutrients are essential for dogs?

Protein containing ten essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, water-soluble B vitamins, and eleven minerals—along with plenty of water.

How can I tell if my dog has a nutrient deficiency?

Symptoms range from a dull coat, skin problems, and fatigue to serious skeletal, neurological, or organ disorders. If you suspect this condition, a veterinary blood test is necessary.

Is dry food enough to meet their needs?

High-quality, FEDIAF-compliant complete pet food fully meets your pet's nutritional needs. It is important to check the ingredient list and ensure the food is appropriate for your pet's life stage.

Do dogs need dietary supplements?

Generally not, provided the dog is fed a proper complete diet. Supplements are recommended for homemade meals, special diets, or medically diagnosed deficiencies.

Related terms

Sources and further reading

  1. National Research Council (NRC). (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press, Washington DC.
  2. FEDIAF. (2024). Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. European Pet Food Industry Federation.
  3. Axelsson, E., Ratnakumar, A., Arendt, M.-L., et al. (2013). The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet. Nature, 495(7441), 360-364.
  4. Pedrinelli, V., Zafalon, R. V. A., Rodrigues, R. B. A., et al. (2019). Concentrations of macronutrients, minerals and heavy metals in home-prepared diets for adult dogs and cats. Scientific Reports, 9, 13058.
  5. Stockman, J., Fascetti, A. J., Kass, P. H., & Larsen, J. A. (2013). Evaluation of recipes of home-prepared maintenance diets for dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 242(11), 1500-1505.
  6. Pilla, R., & Suchodolski, J. S. (2021). The gut microbiome of dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 51(3), 605-621.
Wissenschaftliche Einordnung

WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines; FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines 2024/2025