Essential Nutrients in Dog Food
By: Spot & Tango
Learn the essential nutrients dogs need for optimal health, including protein, fats, fiber, and vitamins - based on AAFCO and NRC guidelines.
According to AAFCO nutrient profiles and NRC guidelines, choosing the right dog food means more than just browsing for the highest-rated brand or the one with the most certifications. Dogs need a balanced combination of protein, fiber, vitamins, and more from foods that are made from nutrient-dense and natural ingredients.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key nutritional components your dog needs and explain how Spot & Tango’s products align with those standards.
1. Protein
Why it’s important: Dogs need significant amounts of protein to support muscle development, metabolism, and immune function.
Guidelines: Puppies and pregnant dogs need 22.5% protein in their diets, while adult dogs require a minimum of 18%.
Why Spot & Tango: Both of Spot & Tango’s recipes (UnKibble and Fresh), use 100% human-grade ingredients and real meats like beef, turkey, and lamb as the first ingredients to provide an excellent source of high-quality protein. For example, the Cod + Salmon recipe is 27% crude protein.
2. Fats
Why it’s important: Fat supports skin/coat health while supplying energy and increasing nutrient absorption, cognitive function, and joint mobility.
Guidelines: Puppies and pregnant dogs require 8.5% fats; adult dogs need 5.5%.
Why Spot & Tango: Spot & Tango products contain a blend of animal fats and omega-rich oils. Specifically, the Cod + Salmon and Turkey UnKibble recipes are full of Omega-3 fatty acids.
3. Fiber
Why it’s important: Fiber aids digestion and promotes bowel health.
Guidelines: AAFCO recommends all dogs needing around 2.5% to 4.5% in dry foods.
Why Spot & Tango: Spot & Tango foods are packed with fiber-rich ingredients like barley, quinoa, spinach, and vegetables to support gut health.
4. Vitamins & Minerals
Why it’s important: Dogs rely on vitamins such as phosphorus and calcium for bone health and copper, vitamin D, and antioxidants for immunity.
Why Spot & Tango: Spot & Tango products are formulated to provide a well-balanced blend of essential vitamins and minerals like Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamins E, A, and D, fish oil, and others.
Conclusion - How Spot & Tango Fits Into Healthy Nutrition
A healthy dog diet starts with high-quality protein for muscle growth, balanced fats for energy and coat health, fiber for digestion, and essential vitamins to support optimal bodily function.
Spot & Tango prides itself on these principles. All of the recipes are crafted using whole, human-grade ingredients designed to deliver the complete nutritional package your dog needs at every stage in life.
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FAQ
What are the most important nutrients in dog food?
The most important nutrients in dog food are protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Protein supports muscle and immune health, fats provide energy and aid nutrient absorption, fiber supports digestion, and vitamins and minerals regulate bone, metabolic, and cellular functions. A complete diet should meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for your dog’s life stage.
How can I tell if my dog’s food is nutritionally complete?
Check the packaging for an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. This indicates the food meets established standards for complete and balanced nutrition. You should also review the ingredient list for clearly identified protein sources and avoid foods with excessive fillers or unnamed byproducts.
Is fresh dog food healthier than kibble?
Fresh dog food can be healthier than traditional kibble when it is properly formulated and balanced. Fresh diets often use minimally processed ingredients and retain more natural nutrients. However, both fresh and dry foods can be healthy if they meet AAFCO guidelines and are formulated by veterinary nutritionists. Some options, such as Spot & Tango’s UnKibble, combine fresh ingredients with gentle cooking and dehydration methods to preserve nutrients while offering the convenience and shelf stability of dry food.
Is grain-free dog food better for dogs?
Grain-free dog food is not necessarily better for most dogs. Whole grains such as brown rice and oats are highly digestible and provide valuable nutrients. Unless your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy, grain-inclusive diets are often recommended by veterinarians.