Dog Nutrition: What Makes a Complete and Balanced Dog Food?
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Good dog nutrition begins with feeding a complete and balanced dog food formulated for your dog’s life stage. Dogs need water, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals, while carbohydrates can provide energy and fiber. These nutrients must also be present in the right amounts and proportions to support your dog’s overall health.
But nutritional needs can vary based on a dog’s age, size, activity level, and health. Here’s what dogs need in their diet, how each nutrient supports the body, and how to tell whether a food provides complete and balanced nutrition.
Key Takeaways
- A balanced dog diet includes protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water.
- A complete and balanced dog food provides essential nutrients in the appropriate amounts and proportions for a specific life stage.
- Check the nutritional adequacy statement to confirm that a food is complete and balanced for your dog.
- Nutritional needs vary with factors such as age, size, activity level, reproductive status, and health.
- Consult your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before feeding a homemade diet or adding supplements.
What Nutrients Do Dogs Need?
Dogs need nutrients that provide energy, support growth and tissue repair, regulate body processes, and maintain overall health. The major components of dog food and nutrition include:
- Water: Supports hydration, temperature regulation, digestion, circulation, and nearly every other body function.
- Protein: Supplies amino acids used to build and repair muscles and other tissues and produce hormones, enzymes, and antibodies.
- Fat: Provides concentrated energy, essential fatty acids, and helps the body absorb certain vitamins.
- Carbohydrates and fiber: Provide energy, support healthy digestion, and help maintain the gut microbiome.
- Vitamins: Support functions including metabolism, immunity, vision, blood clotting, and bone health.
- Minerals: Help maintain bones and teeth, fluid balance, nerve signaling, muscle function, and other essential processes.
Providing these nutrients is only part of what makes a dog food complete and balanced. They must also be included in appropriate amounts and proportions for the dog’s life stage.
How To Tell if Dog Food Is Complete and Balanced
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a nonprofit organization of government officials involved in regulating animal feed and pet food. AAFCO does not regulate, test, approve, or certify individual products. Instead, it develops model regulations, ingredient definitions, nutrient profiles, and feeding-trial protocols that regulatory agencies may adopt.
For a dog food to claim that it is complete and balanced, the manufacturer must substantiate that claim by showing that the food meets an AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile or passes an appropriate feeding trial. AAFCO nutrient profiles establish minimum amounts of protein, fat, essential amino acids and fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, along with maximum amounts for certain nutrients. Requirements differ by life stage.
How To Find the Nutritional Adequacy Statement
A dog food’s nutritional adequacy statement tells you whether the food is complete and balanced, which life stage it is intended for, and how the manufacturer substantiated the claim. It is usually printed in small type on the back or side of the package, often near the ingredients list and guaranteed analysis.
Look for language stating that the food is complete and balanced for adult maintenance, growth, gestation and lactation, or all life stages. A product labeled for “intermittent or supplemental feeding only” should not be used as your dog’s sole source of nutrition unless your veterinarian recommends it.
Highlighted below is an example of the nutritional adequacy statement found on JustFoodForDogs Beef & Russet Potato Recipe Frozen Human-Grade Fresh Dog Food.
Many brands’ diets meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition, like JustFoodForDogs, Hill’s, and Purina to name a few. However, there’s no requirement for dog food manufacturers to meet these standards, so not every brand does. Always check the label to confirm the food you choose is complete and balanced.
How Much Energy Does a Dog Need?
Even when a dog food is complete and balanced, it must be fed in the right amount. A dog’s energy—or calorie—needs depend on several individual factors, and feeding too much or too little can lead to unwanted weight gain or loss.
Factors That Affect a Dog’s Calorie Needs
| Factor | How It Affects Calorie Needs |
|---|---|
| Life stage | Puppies need additional calories to support growth, while pregnant and nursing dogs have especially high energy needs. Adult dogs need enough calories to maintain a healthy weight, while senior dogs may need fewer calories as their activity and metabolism change. Puppies and adolescents require more energy for development. |
| Size and metabolism | Large dogs generally need more total calories, but small dogs may require more calories per pound of body weight. Individual metabolic rates also vary. |
| Activity Level | Working, athletic, and highly active dogs typically burn more calories than less active dogs. |
| Body condition | Dogs who are underweight or overweight may need their portions adjusted to reach and maintain a healthy weight. |
| Health | Certain medical conditions can increase or decrease a dog’s calorie needs. |
Fat, protein, and carbohydrates can all provide energy, but fat supplies more than twice as many calories per gram as protein or carbohydrates. As a result, calorie-dense foods generally require smaller portions. Start with the feeding directions on the package, monitor your dog’s weight and body condition, and ask your veterinarian to help determine the appropriate daily amount.
Protein in Dog Food
Protein is made of amino acids. During digestion, a dog’s body breaks protein into amino acids and uses them to:
- Build and repair muscles and other tissues
- Maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails
- Produce enzymes, hormones, and antibodies
- Provide energy
Dogs need 10 essential amino acids that their bodies cannot produce in sufficient amounts, so they must get them from food.
Protein Sources and Quality
Dog food may contain animal proteins from meat, poultry, fish, and eggs or plant proteins from grains and legumes. Protein quality depends on its amino acid content and digestibility, not simply whether it comes from an animal or plant. Manufacturers often combine sources to provide all the amino acids dogs need.
Are There Vegetarian Diets for Dogs?
Properly formulated vegetarian or vegan diets can meet a dog’s needs, but they should be developed with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
For the safety of your dog, it’s best to consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or a primary care veterinarian who practices nutritional health if you’re considering a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle for your dog.
It’s very important that vegetarian diets have undergone food trials and are formulated and balanced by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
What Does Crude Protein Mean?
The term “crude protein” means the total calculation of the protein in the diet. However, it doesn’t tell you about the quality of the protein (animal proteins like meat, fish, and eggs are higher quality than plant-based proteins) nor how well dogs can actually absorb or digest the protein.
How Much Protein Does My Dog Need?
The AAFCO minimum dietary protein requirement is 22.5% dry matter (DM, which means moisture content is removed) crude protein for a growing puppy or pregnant dog and 18% crude protein for an adult dog.
The maximum amount for any life stage should not exceed about 30% DM. There is no added benefit to excess protein in the diet.
Extra protein is broken down and used for energy, and in some conditions, it can be harmful.
Most proteins don’t contain all the essential amino acids in the right proportions, so most dog foods contain multiple sources of protein (animal sources and plant sources) to achieve the correct balance.
Fat in Dog Food
The AAFCO minimum levels for fat in dog foods are 8.5% DM for growth and reproduction and 5.5% for adult maintenance. Dietary fat has many roles in the body, such as:
- Providing energy: Fat is the most concentrated form of energy in pet foods (2.25 times more calories than proteins or carbohydrates).
- Helping with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
- Providing essential fatty acids (EFAs) that help with inflammation at the cellular level and help dogs maintain healthy skin and coat quality
Diets that are too low in fats (particularly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) can decrease wound healing, create a dull and dry hair coat, and increase certain dermatological conditions.
High-fat diets can increase the risk of obesity and can trigger pancreatitis in certain dog breeds.
Sources of Fat in Dog Food
Both plant- and animal-based ingredients can be important sources of fats and essential fatty acids in a dog's diet.
For example, linoleic acid (LA) is the precursor of arachidonic acid (AA), which is an essential omega-6 fatty acid. Good sources of linoleic acid are vegetable oils, chicken, and pork fat.
Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation caused by conditions like arthritis, certain cancers, burns, dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and kidney disease.
Omega-3 is also a major player in keeping cartilage healthy and functional.
Flaxseed, canola, and marine fish oils are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Carbohydrates in Dog Food
One of the most important reasons dogs need carbohydrates in their diet is to supply energy.
Carbohydrates in a dog’s daily diet provide energy in the form of glucose and are a main source of dietary fiber. The body craves glucose, and if it is not available from carbohydrates, then it must use protein, taking it away from other processes in the body.
Carbohydrates also:
- Generate heat in the body
- Form the base for other nutrients
- Can be converted into fat (some carbohydrates)
Growing animals and dogs that have high-energy needs should be fed a diet with at least 20% carbohydrates.
Fiber From Carbohydrates
Fiber, a form of carbohydrate, is very important for a dog’s normal gastrointestinal function. It keeps the colon healthy along with the microbes of the gut.
The measure of fiber is reported as crude fiber (the insoluble portions) on dog food labels. Total dietary fiber is composed of both soluble and insoluble fibers.
Soluble Fiber
Soluble fiber retains water and generally makes a dog’s feces softer.
Common sources of soluble fiber are fruits and gums (a term used for a group of viscous and sticky polysaccharides found in seeds and plants).
Many soluble fibers are also fermentable. Fermentable fibers (also called prebiotics) are an energy source or “food” for a dog’s normal gut bacteria for digestive health and balance. Soluble fiber also produces short-chain fatty acids that can be used by cells in the intestines as an energy source.
Insoluble Fiber
Insoluble fiber comes from grains in a dog’s diet. It generally increases fecal bulk, but because it cannot absorb water, it does not soften feces. It may be added in the form of cellulose.
Many fiber types used for supplementation are mixed fibers with mostly soluble fiber characteristics. High-fiber diets are sometimes used to manage medical diseases such as diabetes mellitus, as well as certain gastrointestinal conditions and weight management.
Sources of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates can be broken down into multiple groups, all of which play a crucial role in the daily diet of dogs:
| Type | Examples | Function | Digestibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple sugars | Fruits, honey | Provide quick energy | Highly digestible |
| Oligosaccharides | Legumes, some fruits and vegetables, legumes | Act as prebiotics, provide energy | Moderately digestible |
| Polysaccharides | Corn, wheat, rice, barley, oats, potatoes | Provide sustained energy and fiber | Vary by source: starch digestibility can be slow, moderate, or fast |
| Fibrous sources | Wheat bran, rice bran, apples, guar gum | Aid digestion and gut health | Often fermentable and support gut bacteria |
For a healthy dog there is no such thing as a “bad” carbohydrate, but dog foods formulated to help manage certain health conditions purposefully contain specific sources of carbohydrates. For example, diets for dogs with diabetes are often low in simple sugars, but they contain polysaccharides and fiber to prevent spikes in glucose levels after eating.
As always, these diets should only be used under the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or your primary care veterinarian.
How Many Carbs Does My Dog Need?
There is no specific required amount of carbohydrates for dogs.
Dry dog foods typically contain 30–60% carbohydrates, with the majority being starch. Grains, such as corn, rice, wheat, barley, and oats, provide the bulk of starch and are well tolerated and absorbed in dogs.
It’s important to note that a diet with lower levels of carbohydrates (some wet foods, for example) will be higher in proteins and fats.
Vitamins in Dog Food
Vitamins are very diverse and perform many different functions in a dog’s body, such as the creation of DNA, bone development, blood clotting, normal eye function, and neurological function.
Consuming too many vitamins can lead to toxicity and other complications. Deficiency in one vitamin can also cause a cascade of issues, because multiple vitamins are sometimes needed to complete fundamental body processes.
Which Vitamins Do Dogs Need?
Dogs need quite a few vitamins in their food. These can be separated into two categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins require bile salts and fat to be absorbed in a dog’s gut. There are four fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K. Due to the way fat-soluble vitamins are stored and used by the body, they are at the highest risk for toxicity.
| Vitamin Name | Role | AAFCO Minimum DM (and Maximum, if Applicable) | Common Sources | Deficiency/Toxicity Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Essential for normal vision, growth, reproduction, immune function, and healthy skin | Minimum: 5,000 IU/kg Maximum: 250,000 IU/kg | Fish oil, liver, egg, dairy products | Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness and skin issues. Toxicity can occur with over-supplementation and can cause bleeding and abnormal bone growth and formation. |
| Vitamin D | Increase blood calcium and phosphorous levels to support growth and maintenance of bones | Minimum: 500 IU/kg Maximum: 3,000 IU/kg | Fish/fish oil, egg yolks, beef, liver, dairy products | Deficiencies can cause softening and weakening of bones. Toxicities can include calcification of soft tissues. |
| Vitamin E | Also known as alpha-tocopherol, functions as an antioxidant in the body | 50 IU/kg | Vegetable oils, seeds, and cereal grains; mixed tocopherols are often added to dog food as a preservative and source of vitamin E | Deficiency can cause muscle weakness, inflammation, skin and immune issues, and neurological concerns. Toxicity is rare but can interfere with clotting times and mineralization of the bones. |
| Vitamin K | Involved in blood clotting and bone development | There is currently no recommended amount for dogs. | Green leafy vegetables, alfalfa meal, oilseed meals, liver, and fish meals | Deficiencies of vitamin K can cause prolonged clotting times and hemorrhage. Toxicity is rare. |
Water-Soluble Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins are readily absorbed and used in a dog’s body. Because of their rapid use and no available storage in the body, deficiencies are a bigger worry than toxicities.
There are nine essential water-soluble vitamins in dogs:
| Vitamin Name | Role | AAFCO Minimum DM | Common Sources | Deficiency Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiamin (B1) | Involved in many enzymatic reactions in the body and also helps with the nervous system | 2.25 mg/kg | Whole grains, yeast, organ meats, egg yolk | Heart and nervous system issues |
| Riboflavin (B2) | Involved in many systems in a dog’s body | 5.2 mg/kg | Dairy products, organ meats, muscle meats, eggs, green plants, yeast | Stunted growth and weight loss, as well as neurological, skin, heart, and eye issues |
| Pyridoxine (B6) | Involved in amino acid metabolism along with other body systems; also helps with the creation of neurotransmitters | 1.5 mg/kg | Meats, whole-grain products, vegetables, and nuts | Decreased eating, weight loss, stunted growth, anemia, convulsions, weakness, and kidney issues |
| Niacin (B3) | Involved in many enzymatic and physiological reactions in a dog’s body | 13.6 mg/kg | Yeast, animal/fish by-products, cereals, legumes, and oilseeds | Decreased eating, diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, stunted growth, soft tissue damage to the oral cavity, drooling, and in some cases, death |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) | Helps with the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, along with other body systems; plays a crucial role in the production of energy | 12 mg/kg | Meats (liver and heart), rice and wheat bran, alfalfa, peanut meal, yeast, and fish | Weight loss, a weakened immune system, and heart issues |
| Cobalamin (B12) | Involved in the metabolism for many systems in a dog’s body, such as folate, and is important to cell function | There is currently no recommended amount for dogs. | Organ meats, fish, dairy products | Poor growth, neurological dysfunction |
| Folic Acid (B9) | Helps with the synthesis of DNA and purines | 0.216 mg/kg | Liver, egg yolks, and green vegetables | Decreased eating, an inability to maintain or gain weight, decreased immune function, and blood issues such as anemia and clotting |
| Biotin (B7 and H) | Involved in many reactions in a dog’s body that help with metabolism of fats, sugar, and amino acids | There is currently no recommended amount for dogs. | Oilseeds, egg yolks, alfalfa meal, liver, and yeast | Skin problems, hair loss, a dull coat, stunted growth, and neurological issues |
| Choline | Found in cell membranes; decreases fat absorption in the liver, is important in clotting and inflammation, and helps with other body functions | 1360 mg/kg | Egg yolks, glandular meals, fish, cereal germs, legumes, and oilseed meals | Fatty livers (in young dogs), increased blood clotting times, stunted growth, kidney issues, and decreased eating |
Do Dogs Need Vitamin Supplements?
A completely balanced and formulated diet has all the daily vitamins that your dog needs. Supplementation is often not needed, and in many cases, can pose a risk of toxicity.
It is very important when choosing a diet for your dog that the AAFCO statement is included.
If you are feeding a nontraditional diet that does not have an AAFCO statement, consult with a primary care veterinarian who practices advanced nutritional health or with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your pet’s diet meets their daily nutritional requirements. They can also discuss any supplements that might be needed.
If you are considering a supplement, look for products that have a quality seal from the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) to ensure adequate bioavailability and safety. Some medical conditions may require vitamin supplementation. This should only be done under the direct supervision of your primary care veterinarian.
Minerals in Dog Food
There are two kinds of minerals: macro-minerals and trace minerals (also called micro-minerals).
- Macro-minerals are needed in large amounts because they are the main structural components or are vital parts of body fluids.
- Trace minerals are present in smaller amounts but are important parts of metabolic processes.
Which Minerals Do Dogs Need?
There are different types of macro-minerals and trace minerals that are needed to create a complete and balanced dog food.
| Mineral Name | Role | AAFCO Minimum DM (and Maximum, if Applicable) | Common Sources | Deficiency/Toxicity Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium (Ca) | Makes it possible for teeth and bones to maintain their shape; very important in cell communication, blood clotting, muscle function, and nerve transmission | Growth and reproduction minimum: 1.2% Growth and reproduction maximum: 2.5% (large breed puppies 1.8%) Adult maintenance minimum: 0.5% Adult maintenance maximum: 2.5% | Meat meals, soybean meal, and flax seed meal | Deficiencies can cause bone reabsorption, decreased growth, decreased eating, limping, lameness, fracturing of the bone, loose teeth, and convulsions. Excess can cause limb lameness and joint swelling. It can also cause certain conditions such as secondary hyperparathyroidism. |
| Phosphorus (P) | A structural component of bone, teeth, RNA, and DNA; important for cell growth, cell energy use, and amino acid and protein formation | Growth and reproduction minimum: 1% Growth and reproduction maximum: 1.6% Adult maintenance minimum: 0.4% Adult maintenance maximum: 1.6% | Meat tissue (poultry, lamb, fish, beef), eggs, milk products, oilseeds, protein supplements, and grains | Deficiencies can cause pica, decreased growth, poor hair coat, and bone fractures. Excessive amounts can cause loss of bone mass, urinary stones, the inability to gain weight, and calcification of tissues and organs. |
| Magnesium (Mg) | Involved with the structural composition of bones; plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats; is a part of neuromuscular activity | 0.06% | Bone products (such as bone meal), oilseed, flaxseed, soybean meal, unrefined grains, and fibers | Deficiencies can cause stunted growth, muscle contraction and mobility issues, and decreased eating. High levels can cause urinary stone formation and paralysis. |
| Potassium (K) | Helps in maintaining acid-base balance and osmotic balance, transmitting nerve impulses, and muscle contractility | 0.6% | Soybean meal, unrefined grains, fiber sources, and yeast | Deficiencies can cause decreased eating, lethargy, and trouble walking. Over-supplementation can cause heart and muscle issues. |
| Sodium (Na) and Chloride (Cl) | Important in maintaining osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and what enters and leaves the body’s cells | Sodium: 0.3% growth and reproduction, 0.08% adult maintenance Chloride: 0.45% growth and reproduction, 0.12% adult maintenance | Fish, eggs, dried whey, poultry by-product meal, soy isolate | Deficiencies can cause decreased eating, weakness, fatigue, and hair loss. Over-supplementation can cause constipation, seizures, and in some cases, death. |
| Mineral Name | Role | AAFCO Minimum DM (and Maximum, if Applicable) | Common Sources | Deficiency/Toxicity Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Very important for oxygen transport throughout a dog’s body | 88mg/kg for growth and reproduction 40mg/kg for adult maintenance | Meat, organ meats, and some fiber sources | Deficiencies can cause anemia, a rough coat, lethargy, and stunted growth. Excessive amounts can lead to decreased eating, weight loss, and liver issues. |
| Copper (Cu) | Important in the formation and actions of enzymes, hemoglobin formation, cardiac function, bone, melanin, and myelin formation, connective tissue development, and immune function | 12.4mg/kg for growth and reproduction 7.3mg/kg for adult maintenance | Legumes, whole grains, nuts, shellfish, seeds, organ meats | Deficiencies can cause abnormal growth, changes in hair color, bone issues, and neurological conditions. Excessive amounts can cause hepatitis and increases in liver enzymes. |
| Zinc (Zn) | Involved with over 100 enzyme functions, protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, skin and wound healing, and the immune system | 100mg/kg for growth and reproduction 80mg/kg for adult maintenance | Most meats and fiber sources | Deficiencies include decreased eating, stunted growth, hair loss, a weakened immune system, and growth disorders. |
| Manganese (Mn) | Involved in many systems, such as fat and carbohydrate metabolism and bone and cartilage development | 7.2mg/kg for growth and reproduction 5mg/kg for adult maintenance | Fiber sources and fish meals | Deficiencies can cause deformities of the bone and poor growth. |
| Selenium (Se) | Involved with the immune system, protects cells from oxidative damage; involved in normal thyroid function | Minimum: 0.35 mg/kg DM Maximum: 2 mg/kg | Fish, eggs, and liver | Deficiencies are rare but can cause a decrease in eating and edema (swelling). Excessive amounts can cause vomiting, muscle spasms, falling, weakness, excessive drooling, decreased eating, trouble breathing, foul-smelling breath, and nail issues. |
| Iodine (I) | Involved with proper function of a dog’s thyroid | Minimum: 1mg/kg Maximum: 11mg/kg | Fish, eggs, and iodized salts | Deficiencies and excessive amounts cause the same medical issues such as enlarged thyroid glands, hair loss, lethargy, weakness, decreased eating, and fever. |
Water Requirements for Dogs
Water is considered the most important nutrient, performing many important functions, such as:
- Regulating body temperature
- Breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
- Providing shape and structure to the body
- Keeping the shape of the eye
- Lubricating joints
- Protecting the nervous system
Dogs get water through their diet and by simply drinking water. A dog being fed a moist diet will usually drink less water throughout the day due to the higher moisture content of the food.
Dogs should have continuous access to clean and fresh water. It is also important to monitor their daily intake and notify your veterinarian of any increases or decreases.
Can I Make My Own Balanced Dog Food?
No, not without the expertise of a veterinary nutritonist. Research shows that most homemade dog diets (>94%) do not meet essential nutritional requirements. Unconventional diets, including home-prepared meals for dogs, are possible, and with some medical conditions, may be beneficial. However, most recipes you find online and in books do not provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs.
As a pet parent, you are responsible for ensuring that your dog's individual daily requirements are met.
Consider a consultation with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or a primary care veterinarian who practices advanced nutritional health to ensure that all meals are balanced and formulated for your dog’s lifestyle and needs.
