Dry food is a convenient way to provide your dog with all the nutrients he needs, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates and key micronutrients that are important for maintaining health and preventing disease.

One of the most convenient ways to provide your dog with all the necessary substances is dry food. But its composition should be rich not only in proteins, fats and carbohydrates, but also in certain microelements. These substances play a key role in maintaining the dog's vital functions and preventing various diseases. In this article, we will tell you which microelements should be included in a good food.

The main microelements in high-quality dog food

The list of such ingredients includes:

1. Calcium. Necessary for healthy bones and teeth, normal functioning of muscles and the nervous system. Its deficiency can lead to weak bones, and its excess - to kidney problems. In food, bone meal and eggshells can be a source of calcium.
2. Phosphorus. Works in conjunction with calcium, providing strength to bone tissue. Found in meat, fish, cereals.
3. Magnesium. Regulates the nervous system and maintains heart health. Magnesium deficiency can cause muscle cramps and weakness. Magnesium is found in seeds, nuts and green vegetables.
4. Zinc. Important for maintaining healthy skin and coat. Zinc also strengthens the immune system and promotes wound healing. A deficiency of this microelement can lead to skin diseases and brittle claws. Found in meat, fish, eggs.
5. Iron. Responsible for the transfer of oxygen in the body, participating in the formation of hemoglobin. Deficiency causes anemia, weakness and decreased activity. Iron is found in the liver, red meat and cereals, which for this reason are often added to quality products - for example, Farmina food.
6. Copper. Necessary for the synthesis of collagen and the absorption of iron. Copper deficiency in the dog's diet can cause metabolic disorders and loss of coat color. This trace element is found in the liver, seafood and nuts.
7. Manganese. Maintains bone and joint health, participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Its deficiency can lead to problems with the animal's musculoskeletal system. Sources of manganese are cereals, seeds, greens.
8. Iodine. It is necessary for dogs for normal functioning of the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism. The microelement is found in sea fish and algae.

Dogs also need sodium in moderation, but it is preferable that its source in food be fresh meat rather than salt.

How to determine that the food is enriched with the necessary microelements

First of all, you should carefully read the composition of the product. On the packaging of high-quality food, which can be purchased in the Maudau important things market, there must be a full list of microelements with their concentration indicators. It may look like this: calcium - 1%, phosphorus - 0.8%, zinc - 200 mg / kg, iron - 80 mg / kg. It is equally important to pay attention to the proportions of microelements. For example, the correct ratio of calcium and phosphorus should be approximately 1.2: 1. The composition of good food may include chelated forms of microelements, which are better absorbed by the dog's body.