Dogs need protein in particular to build and maintain body substance (u.a. for muscles, skin, hair, hormones and enzymes). Protein consists of chains of amino acids, some of which the dog can produce itself, but some of which must also be added to the diet (essential amino acids).

It is not the protein content and protein origin that is decisive in dogs, but the amino acid pattern. In principle, a dog does not actually need protein, but the 20 or so different amino acids themselves. The dietary amino acids that determine the value of a protein include arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. In addition to meat, lupins are considered to be the most usable source of amino acids. However, lentils, beans and sunflower seeds are also important sources of amino acids.

Dogs are particularly rich in protein:

Dogs need protein in particular to build and maintain body substance (u.a. for muscles, skin, hair, hormones and enzymes). Protein consists of chains of amino acids, some of which the dog can produce itself, but some of which must also be added to the diet (essential amino acids).

It is not the protein content and protein origin that is decisive in dogs, but the amino acid pattern. In principle, a dog does not actually need protein, but the 20 or so different amino acids themselves. The dietary amino acids that determine the value of a protein include arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. In addition to meat, lupin is considered to be the most usable source of amino acids. But lentils, beans and sunflower seeds are also important sources of amino acids.

Particularly rich in protein are:

• Soja
• Lupine
• Erbsen
• Kichererbsen
• Linsen

Although carbohydrates are not essential, they are an excellent source of energy for dogs. They consist of many sugar molecules chained together, which are called monosaccharides, disaccharides or polysaccharides depending on their size. Simple sugars include glucose, for example, while complex carbohydrates include starch.
Contrary to many claims, dogs can digest carbohydrates very well, as they produce amylase in the pancreas and di- and oligosaccharidases in the small intestinal epithelium, which help to break down the molecules in the small intestine.

Carbohydrates provide quickly available energy and also support the intestinal flora. Too much ingested protein in the liver is broken down into ammonia and the resulting urea must be excreted via the kidneys. Carbohydrates help to relieve the liver and kidneys and are therefore often fed to kidney patients.

Besonders reich an Kohlenhydraten sind:

• Kartoffeln
• Süßkartoffeln
• Nudeln
• Amaranth

For a healthy four-legged immune system

Fats consist of a chain of carbon atoms of different lengths and are called short-, medium- and long-chain fatty acids accordingly. A further subdivision is into saturated (z.B. butter) and unsaturated (liquid oils). Fats are a good source of energy and also contain valuable essential fatty acids that are important for healthy cell function. They also help with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

A distinction is made between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These compete for different enzyme systems.

Omega-6 fatty acids support healthy skin and a beautiful shiny coat:

• Safflower oil
• Sunflower oil

Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory character and can provide valuable services in chronic inflammation. They also help with the development of the nervous system and are important for the retina. They are mainly found in fish oil. Vegan alternatives are:

• Lin oil
• Algae-based EPAs

Some types of oil are also excellent sources of vitamin E:

• Maiskeimöl
• Weizenkeimö

CALCIUM & PHOSPHOR
Calcium and phosphorus are important components for bone stability. Approx. 98% of calcium and 80% of phosphorus are bound there. Soft tissues also contain calcium and phosphate, but phosphate is often present in tenfold quantities.

Calcium also plays a role in the energy metabolism of blood clotting and muscle contractions, phosphate in the energy metabolism of cells.

The calcium-phosphorus ratio is so important because an oversupply or undersupply of one of the two minerals can lead to deficiency symptoms. For example, too much phosphorus would inhibit calcium absorption and, conversely, an excessive intake of calcium would deprive the body of phosphorus. In addition to the respective requirement in mg, an optimum Ca:P ratio in the feed is 1.3:1.

Plant-based sources of calcium:
- Cooked soybeans
- Whole grain products

Plant-based sources of phosphorus:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Legumes

NATRIUM & CHLORIDE
These two bulk elements are important for the acid-base and water balance and are also components in the transmission of stimuli. They are mainly found outside the cells. There is an increased need after blood loss, chronic vomiting (especially chloride) or diarrhea (especially sodium).

Drying out, licking and reduced performance can be signs of a deficiency. Dogs are usually quite tolerant of oversupply, but this should be avoided.

Sodium and chloride are z.Bclassically found in food salt.

POTASSIUM
Potassium is mainly found inside the body's cells, where it regulates the osmotic pressure in the cells and supports the activity of numerous enzymes. Most feedstuffs contain sufficient potassium, even increased intakes are usually well tolerated.

A lot of potassium is contained in: bananas, vegetables

MAGNESIUM
Magnesium plays an important role for the muscles, nervous system and metabolism. Half of it is stored in soft tissue, the rest in the bones. An inadequate supply of magnesium can be associated with reduced resistance to stress, agitation and undirected Muskelbewegungen.Viel Magnesium is contained in:

millet, oatmeal, wheat germ/bran, linseed

SELEN
Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase and therefore plays an important role as an antioxidant. Together with vitamin E, it helps to maintain the integrity of cell membranes. The selenium content in animal feed depends on the type of plant and soil. Newborn puppies are particularly affected by deficiency symptoms (muscle degeneration, immune deficiency). However, caution is also required in the event of an overdose, as selenium only has a small dosage range and can therefore lead to intoxication. Selenium is contained in:

potatoes, lentils, soybeans, yeast

Iron
Iron is a component of haemoglobin (in the red blood cells) and myoglobin (in the muscles). The majority of iron is found in the blood, but iron is also u.astored in the muscles or in pigmented hair. Iron is important for oxygen transfer and blood formation. Deficiency situations (insufficient supply via food, change of coat, blood loss) can manifest themselves in the blood count as anemia.

Foods containing iron are: yeast, linseed, oatmeal, millet flakes, wheat bran

COPPER
The mineral copper is stored in the liver in particular and plays a role in the body u.a. in pigment and blood formation, connective tissue and the transport of iron. Copper is therefore important for your dog's skin and hair, meaning that deficiency symptoms can manifest themselves in the form of graying of the coat and anaemia. In young animals, it can also lead to growth disorders (z.B. patency). In addition to low levels in feed, high levels of calcium, zinc or iron can also impair the absorption of copper.

Foods containing copper are: nuts, seeds, lentils, yeast, wheat bran

ZINC
The mineral zinc is important for the immune system and wound healing. It is also important for pigment and collagen in the skin and coat. As with copper, high levels of calcium, iron and copper can impair the absorption of zinc. In deficiency situations, fertility disorders and hair loss occur, the coat becomes lighter and the skin dry, sometimes even barky.

A lot of zinc is contained in: Cereal flakes, oat flakes, millet, wheat bran, linseed, yeast

MANGAN
Manganese is important for our dogs' joints as it helps in the production of mucopolysccharides. Cereals usually contain sufficient manganese.

Foods containing manganese are: Oat flakes, millet, wheat germ, wheat bran, linseed, lentils

Iodine
Iodine is a component of thyroid hormones and is therefore important for the function of the thyroid gland. A deficiency leads to an increase in thyroid mass (goitre), the animals are weak and tend to lose fur. Young animals can show growth disorders and breeding animals fertility disorders.

A lot of iodine is contained in: seaweed, wheat bran, peanuts

Vitamins are necessary for growth, energy production, emotions and sensory perceptions, digestion, detoxification and excretion and ultimately for the defense against diseases.

VITAMIN A
The fat-soluble vitamin A is stored in the liver and is considered a growth and epithelial protection vitamin, as it is important for the synthesis of protein, the growth of bones and the development of skin and mucous membranes. It also supports the visual process. In contrast to cats, dogs can also produce vitamin A (in animal products) from ß-carotene (z.B. contained in vegetables). This vitamin or its precursor is z.B. contained in:

• Mais
• Möhren
• Salat
• Luzernegrünmehl

VITAMIN D
Unlike humans, dogs cannot synthesize vitamin D with the help of UV radiationRadiation, which is why it should be sufficiently present in their food. Vitamin D plays a major role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine. Vitamin D is stored in fatty tissue and in the liver. As this is a fat-soluble vitamin that requires several reaction steps to be converted into its active form, an oversupply with calcification of tissue and blood vessels is possible.

Vitamin D is mainly contained in cod liver oil and fatty fish, egg yolk and dairy products and should definitely be supplemented in vegan rations.

Vitamin D sources are u.a.

• Cereal sprouts

VITAMIN E
The antioxidant vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, but an oversupply is not a cause for concern unless very high amounts of antioxidants are consumed, as these in turn can promote oxidation. Antioxidants protect unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamin A and lipid-rich cell membranes from oxidation. Vitamin E is z.B. contained in germ oils and cereals and is also often used for the elderly, heart patients and chronic diseases.

Here are some examples of feedstuffs that contain vitamin A:

• Maiskeimöl
• Sojaöl
• Weizenkeimöl
• Mandeln
• Haselnüsse

VITAMIN K
Vitamin K can be synthesized by the body itself and plays an important role in blood clotting in particular. Sufficient intake through food should be ensured, especially after the administration of antibiotics or illnesses with reduced intestinal flora, as blood clotting disorders can occur in deficiency situations. Otherwise, the body's own production is usually sufficient.

It is u.a. contained in:

• green plants
• sunflower oil

VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE)
Vitamin B1 is a heat-sensitive and water-soluble vitamin and plays a major role in metabolic processes (z.B. in the citrate cycle and the pentose phosphate cycle). It also helps to build nerve cells. Small amounts are stored in the heart and skeletal muscles as well as in the kidneys (and liver). Deficiency symptoms lead to the disease "beriberi", which is also known in humans and is associated with nerve paralysis, tremors, increased irritability and heart failure.

Vitamin B1 is contained in:

• Hefe
• Mühlennachprodukte
• Weizenkeime

VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN)
This water-soluble vitamin is involved in the respiratory chain and the citric acid cycle. Dogs have an increased need during heavy physical exertion and low temperatures. Under practical conditions, no deficiency symptoms have been observed to date.

In addition to animal products

• yeast

VITAMIN B3 (NICOTINIC ACID)
This vitamin is a component of various coenzymes and therefore supports metabolic processes in many ways. It is formed via the intestinal flora and from the amino acid tryptophan. Sufficient levels are found in most feedstuffs, although nicotinic acid is present in cereal grains and oilseeds in a form that is more difficult to utilize. However, nicotinic acid from yeast can z.B. be fully utilized. Niacin is not quite as sensitive to heat, oxygen and light as the other B vitamins.

Examples of feedstuffs containing niacin:

• Hefe
• Tofu
• Erdnüsse
• Weizenkleie

VITAMIN B5 ( PANTOTHENIC ACID)
Pantothenic acid is a component of coenzyme A. Deficiency symptoms have not yet been observed in practice.

Pantothenic acid is z.B. contained in:

• Hirse
• Weizenkeime
• Linsen
• Hefe

VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE ETC.)
Pyridoxine, pyirodoxal and pyridoxamine play a major role in protein and amino acid metabolism. An inadequate supply increases the risk of oxalate stones.

Vitamin B6 is contained, for example, in:

• Hefe
• Hirseflocken
• Haferflocken

VITAMIN B7 (BIOTIN)
Biotin hat seine Bedeutung im Kohlenhydrat- and fat metabolism. It also plays a role in the synthesis of keratin, the basic substance of claws, fur and epithelia. The utilization of this vitamin is good, and a large proportion of the vitamin is synthesized in the intestine, which is why deficiencies rarely occur. If deficiency symptoms do occur, they manifest themselves in poor coat quality, hair loss and the formation of dandruff and scabs.

Biotin is contained in:

• Hefe
• Linsen
• Erdnüsse
• Weizenkleie

FOLIC ACID
Folic acid is important for intermediary metabolism. As microorganisms in the dog's intestine already produce a lot of folate, only small amounts need to be supplied through food. Folic acid is bound in feed and must therefore first be released by enzymes in the small intestinal mucosa.

Rich in folic acid are:

• green plants
• yeast

VITAMIN B12 (COBALAMIN)
Vitamin B12 is found in almost all body cells and therefore only in feed of animal origin. Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver. For the absorption of this water-soluble vitamin, the dog needs the so-called "intrinsic factor", which is formed in the stomach and pancreas. As a deficiency, z.B. due to reduced absorption due to diseases of the stomach, pancreas or small intestine, particularly affects tissue with rapid cell division (z.B. the bone marrow), this leads to anemia and fatty degeneration of the liver. As only animal products contain vitamin B12, this vitamin should be supplemented in vegan rations.

VITAMIN C
Unlike humans, dogs (and guinea pigs) are able to produce this vitamin independently in the liver and kidneys. Vitamin C is therefore not essential and does not necessarily have to be added to the diet. However, it makes sense to supplement this antioxidant in large breeds of dog between the 3rd and 6th month of life (to support collagen synthesis), in the case of liver diseases or after operations, burns and infections.

Vitamin C ist z.B. enthalten in:

• Getreide
• Obst
• Gemüse

FOR DIGESTION & FOOD CHANGE
Brewer's or molasses yeast is rich in water-soluble B vitamins (except vitamin B12, which is only found in animal products) and is therefore a natural source of B vitamins. It is also rich in protein with a high biological value and also contains important trace elements. As the B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins, an oversupply is not a problem as excessive amounts are excreted and not stored. Brewer's yeast stimulates the appetite and can therefore z.B. be sprinkled over the feed of fussy animals. However, caution is advised with uric acid patients due to the ingredients!

FOR THE HEART MUSCLE
Taurine is an aminosulfonic acid. Dogs can synthesize it themselves from sulphur-containing amino acids and therefore do not need to be supplied with taurine supplements via their food. However, this endogenous production appears to be limited in large dog breeds. Supplementation is particularly recommended for heart patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, as taurine can help to clinically improve cardiac activity.

L-CARNITINE
Heart muscle & Fat burning

L-carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound. This is found u.a. in the heart muscle and helps with energy production. Around 40 % of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy have a carnitine deficiency in the heart muscles, which is why L-carnitine, often together with vitamin E and selenium, is used in heart patients. As carnitine promotes fat burning and reduces muscle breakdown, it can also be used in overweight dogs or old dogs with muscle atrophy.

SOY PRODUCTS
Important amino acid supplier

Soy has the highest protein quality of plant origin, which is even comparable to animal products. Soybeans are often processed into soybean meal, extraction meal or whole meal. With the exception of methionine, which contains sulphur, the protein contained in soybeans contains the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities. Soybeans also contain carbohydrates and sugar compounds.