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Animal feed: Important ingredients for dog and cat

Plastics, metals

Proteins (proteins)

Proteins are part of every single body cell, they are indispensable for building and maintaining the body substance such as bones, muscles and tendons. In addition, they are immensely important for the metabolism and have a decisive effect on the immune system. Attention: Not only the amount is important, because not every protein is easy to digest. More crude protein does not automatically mean more quality.

fats and oils

Animal and vegetable fats and oils are important energy sources. The unsaturated fatty acids can not be produced by the animal itself and must therefore be available in animal feed. Unsaturated fatty acids are essential components of all body cells as well as the nervous system and regulate the metabolic processes. Bad coat, increased susceptibility to infection and poor wound healing can be the result of a lack of unsaturated fatty acids.

Fibres

Dietary fiber is carbohydrates, which are found mainly in the shells of plants (cereals and vegetables) in the form of cellulose. Such carbohydrates are indigestible and can not be utilized by the body. Nevertheless, they are important for a healthy digestive work, because they regulate the intestinal function. Cats require only a very small proportion of fiber in animal feed, and the transport material for their digestion comes mainly from the indigestible components of meat and offal.

carbohydrates

Dogs and cats only need carbohydrates in relatively small amounts. The main sources of carbohydrates are potatoes and cereals. However, if needed, the organism of dogs can synthesize carbohydrates from protein or fat. In cats, too much carbohydrate in animal feed can even lead to indigestion.

Vitamins

Vitamins take on vital metabolic functions in the body. The organism of dogs can only produce vitamins C and K in sufficient quantity themselves. All others must be taken up via the dog food. Cats are particularly dependent on the supply of vitamin A, since they can not produce it themselves. Vitamin A is especially important for eyes, teeth, bones, fertility, skin, mucous membranes, stomach and intestinal tissues. Conventional animal feeds almost always use synthetic vitamins. This is not ideal, because artificially produced vitamins sometimes have different effects than their natural counterparts.

minerals

Minerals are vital inorganic nutrients that are involved in almost all processes in the organism. Magnesium, sodium, zinc, iron, iodine, calcium and phosphorus are among the most important minerals. In cats, however, caution should be exercised with magnesium: over-concentration in animal feed may increase the risk of urinary tract disease.

Animal Feed: Keep yourself informed ...

…about animal welfare food, the essential Ingredients and the discussion "Wet food vs. Dried animal food".  

Further information and events are also available Vienna Institute of Animal Nutrition.

Photo / Video: Option media.

Written by Ursula Wastl

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