Essential nutrient
An "essential nutrient" in dog nutrition is a nutrient that your dog's body cannot produce in sufficient quantities itself. These nutrients must be consumed through food to ensure your dog's health and well-being.
Essential nutrients include certain amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. A deficiency in any of these nutrients can lead to health problems as they play a central role in various bodily functions such as building tissue, producing energy and maintaining the immune system.
For example, taurine and arginine are essential amino acids for dogs. Without sufficient amounts of these amino acids, dogs can develop heart problems or a weakened immune system, among other things.
It is therefore important to make sure that your dog's food contains all the necessary essential nutrients in the right amounts. High-quality dog food is designed to meet these needs.