Nutrition Basics

A pet's nutritional health depends on receiving the appropriate amounts and proportions of nutrients from the six required groups: water, protein, fat, fibre, minerals and vitamins. With the exception of water, commercial pet foods identified as 100 percent complete and balanced contain all of these required nutrients in the proper proportions. As important as these nutrients are, it's equally important for pet owners to provide clean, fresh drinking water for their pets so that all of their nutritional needs are met. Read on for a closer look at the six essential nutrients.

Protein
This is a crucial ingredient of good health. Protein is the raw material of all the tissues of a dog's body, and since a puppy's body is rapidly expanding and developing during his first year (up to two years for some larger breeds), a high protein level in his food is essential. Any protein not used in tissue development and maintenance is used as an energy supply. Purina® Puppy Chow® brand puppy food is 27 percent protein, compared with 21 percent for a balanced adult dog food.

Fat
Fat is a concentrated form of energy, containing more than twice as much energy per unit of weight as protein or carbohydrate. In fact, it has so much energy that a puppy might not be able to burn it all off, and the excess energy will be stored as body fat. For this reason, it's important to feed in carefully regulated quantities. Fats also promote healthy skin and coat, and carry fat-soluble vitamins and omega fatty acids.

Fibre
Like humans, puppies need an appropriate amount of fibre to aid in digestion. The roughage helps keep the gastrointestinal tract working properly.

Minerals
There are some minerals that a puppy requires in larger quantities than an adult dog, such as calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for the development of strong bones and teeth. It's also important that your puppy food contains the appropriate amount and proportions of minerals that your puppy needs.

Vitamins
Vitamins are important in metabolic regulation and the development of a dog's body. Different types of vitamins are absorbed differently, and since puppies are growing, they need food with vitamins balanced for their stage of life. Purina® Puppy Chow® brand puppy food contains the vitamins a puppy needs to grow, including Vitamin A, Vitamin E and the B Vitamins.

Fat-soluble vitamins are those that are carried by fat and stored in a dog's body over long periods of time. Vitamin A is important for vision, and a healthy immune system, skin and coat. Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and is important for proper bone development. Vitamin E helps support a healthy immune system.

Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body; whatever is not used is excreted from the dog's body, so they must be replenished every day. These vitamins include vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin, choline, thiamin, biotin and pyridoxine. Many of these are used in nervous system functions, and others promote healthy skin and coat, or metabolism.

Water
Like all living things, dogs need water. Water helps regulate body temperature, cushion joints and internal organs, digest food, eliminate waste, lubricate tissue, and allows salt and other electrolytes to pass through the body. Fresh drinking water in a clean bowl should be available to dogs at all times. And some puppies like their Purina® Puppy Chow® brand puppy food moistened with a little bit of water.

Changing Foods
When introducing a new product to a pet, start by adding only a small amount of the new food to your pet’s current diet. Gradually, over 7-10 days, add more of the new and less of the current product until the changeover is complete. Following this procedure should help ease the transition from one product to another.