Nutrients and high quality ingredients are both important in a pet food. However, nutrients are vital because the body absorbs nutrients, not ingredients. A nutrient is any food constituent that helps support life. The energy-producing nutrients include proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; while the non-energy-producing nutrients are vitamins, minerals, and water. The optimum nutrient blend is the result of quality ingredients that should be formulated for a balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to meet a pet’s nutritional needs.
You can’t assume a food is right for your pet simply by reading the ingredient list because nutrients are just as important as ingredients. Making a high-quality pet food requires a precise blend of ingredients to meet a specific nutrient profile based on a pet’s life-stage, lifestyle, or disease condition.
Call the 800 number that should be located on the food label for product information that is not listed on the label, such as the nutrient content of the food and its caloric content.
