Dog Nutrition: Improving the Absorption of Vitamins and Minerals

Feeding him well means keeping him healthy. While this statement applies just as much to humans as it does to our furry companions, each species requires a specific nutritional intake. But it’s not enough to simply feed him well—the nutrients must also be properly absorbed. A study shows that plant-based proteins improve the digestibility of minerals and vitamins.   Dogs have complex nutritional needs. A properly balanced meal for a dog requires a precise balance between a good amount of macronutrients—such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—and a mix of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Nevertheless, many nutritional studies have focused entirely on the digestibility of macronutrients in dog food, neglecting the aspect of micronutrients—which is just as important and variable. In fact, the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals, in particular, can vary depending on the type of food consumed. This means that two foods may chemically contain the same amount of a mineral, yet their digestibility may not be identical. On the contrary, digestibility often depends on the source. In general, micronutrients of animal origin are more digestible, but their composition varies more frequently depending on the ingredient chosen. Conversely, plants have a more stable nutritional composition, but many vegetables and legumes contain antinutritional factors that bind to minerals, rendering them unavailable. However, heat treatment can destroy these antinutritional factors and improve the digestibility of these nutrients. These differences are significant when it comes to ensuring a high-quality nutritional intake for the animal. Researchers have therefore examined the issue of micronutrient digestibility in dogs. Eight adult beagles were fed a diet that met their basic nutritional needs; however, half were fed a diet based on animal proteins and the other half on plant proteins for 10 days. Titanium dioxide markers found in the feces were used to estimate the digestibility of macronutrients and micronutrients. Results: There were few differences in the apparent digestibility of the two diets. However, the true digestibility of the plant-based diet was overall significantly better than that of the animal-based diet. The protein source may therefore have an impact on the absorption and digestibility of micronutrients in adult dogs. However, this study should be expanded to include the various types of dog food available on the market to gain a more comprehensive understanding. Indeed, while a plant-based protein diet appears to have better true digestibility than a diet containing animal proteins, other factors could potentially play a role in digestibility.