{"id":8551,"date":"2026-02-05T04:16:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T04:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/?p=8551"},"modified":"2026-02-05T04:16:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T04:16:43","slug":"naehrstoffbedarf-von-hunden-und-katzen-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/naehrstoffbedarf-von-hunden-und-katzen-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Nutritional requirements of dogs and cats"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Nutritional requirements for dogs and cats: ensuring our furry friends snack healthily<\/h1>\n<p>Pets enrich our lives, and we care deeply about their well-being. The nutrients they get from their diet are a key part of their health. Dogs and cats differ not only in their behaviour but also in their nutritional needs. Let\u2019s delve into the fascinating world of dogs\u2019 and cats\u2019 nutritional requirements and discover what they really need to be healthy and happy!<\/p>\n<h2>The basics: What do dogs and cats really need?<\/h2>\n<p>Not all animals are created equal, and this is also reflected in their nutritional requirements. Interestingly, essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in this. Let\u2019s take a closer look:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Proteins:<\/strong> Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle. Whilst dogs can obtain protein from plant sources, cats rely on animal protein. Ah, those sophisticated hunters\u2026<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fats:<\/strong> Fats are an important source of energy and aid the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Please note that some fatty acids are essential and must be obtained from food.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Carbohydrates:<\/strong> Dogs can use carbohydrates for energy, whereas cats are not as efficient at processing them. For them, switching to chicken or fish is the easier option.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vitamins and minerals:<\/strong> A wide range of vitamins and minerals helps ensure healthy bones, teeth and a strong immune system. It\u2019s hard to believe, but it\u2019s true: cats are unable to absorb vitamin A from plant sources.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"article-img-ai\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ai-image-undefined-undefined-Naehrstoffbedarf-von-Hunden-und-Katzen-inline-2.png\" alt=\"N\u00e4hrstoffbedarf von Hunden und Katzen Bild 1\">\n        <\/div>\n<h2>A look behind the scenes: the metabolism of dogs and cats<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s like night and day! Whilst dogs are omnivores, cats are strict carnivores. But what exactly does that mean for the nutritional needs of dogs and cats?<\/p>\n<p>Dogs have developed the ability to utilise a wider range of food sources, including plant-based foods. Their metabolism is therefore designed to process a variety of macronutrients. In contrast, cats are true carnivores. Their metabolism is specialised in extracting amino acids from animal sources. This makes the famous taurine all the more important, as it is essential for cats and is not found at all in plant-based foods.<\/p>\n<h2>Individual needs: age, breed and lifestyle \u2013 the order of the day?<\/h2>\n<p>As is so often the case in life, it is difficult to make sweeping generalisations, as pets\u2019 individual needs vary greatly. Let\u2019s bear the following in mind:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Age:<\/strong> Young kittens and puppies need a particularly nutritious diet, rich in protein and energy, to support their growth.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Race:<\/strong> Some breeds, such as the Maine Coon or the St Bernard, have specific needs. Their large frames require a tailor-made diet.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Activity level:<\/strong> A hyperactive Border Collie needs more energy than a laid-back Bulldog companion.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Healthy snacks: Treat your furry friend wisely<\/h2>\n<p>Ah, the satisfying crunch of a snack \u2013 a treat for both humans and pets! But caution is advised here too, as not everything that crunches is healthy. Here are a few suggestions for treats you can safely give your dog or cat:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dogs:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Carrot sticks \u2013 low in calories and packed with vitamins, though not really suitable for cats!<\/li>\n<li>Apple pieces \u2013 they add a touch of freshness and are a juicy treat, even if the core is off limits.<\/li>\n<li>Freeze-dried liver \u2013 the protein boost that cats love too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cats:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Tuna in its own juice \u2013 a classic that\u2019s always a hit.<\/li>\n<li>Unseasoned chicken strips \u2013 easy to prepare and full of flavour.<\/li>\n<li>Small pieces of boiled egg \u2013 rich in protein and vitamins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Concluding remarks: It\u2019s all about striking the right balance<\/h2>\n<p>Oops! We\u2019ve reached the end of our exciting journey of discovery. The nutritional needs of dogs and cats are a complex subject that requires a deeper understanding. But with the right information, we\u2019re getting closer to our goal of giving our four-legged friends a life full of vitality and well-being. A balanced diet is what matters \u2013 because it is the key to a long and happy life.<\/p>\n<p>By taking their specific needs and preferences into account, we can give them the attention and care they deserve. And as the saying goes: the way to the heart is through the stomach \u2013 and that goes for our animal companions too!<\/p>\n<h2>FAQs on the nutritional requirements of dogs and cats<\/h2>\n<h3>What nutrients does a dog need?<\/h3>\n<p>Fat-soluble vitamins and minerals are essential for dogs to stay healthy. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fat-soluble vitamins: vitamins A, D, E and K<\/li>\n<li>Water-soluble vitamins: vitamins B, C and H<\/li>\n<li>Key elements: calcium, sodium and magnesium<\/li>\n<li>Trace elements: iron, zinc and iodine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>What nutrients does a cat need every day?<\/h3>\n<p>Cats need specific nutrients to stay healthy. The following elements play a crucial role in this:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Macronutrients: calcium and phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is particularly important that calcium and phosphorus are present in a 1:1 ratio in order to strengthen bones and teeth as effectively as possible.<\/p>\n<h3>How much protein and fat do dogs need?<\/h3>\n<p>The composition of your dog\u2019s food is crucial to your pet\u2019s health. A balanced diet should contain the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carbohydrates: 45\u201355 per cent<\/li>\n<li>Protein: 35\u201345 per cent<\/li>\n<li>Fats and oils: around 5 per cent<\/li>\n<li>Fibre: 2\u20135 per cent<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>N\u00e4hrstoffbedarf von Hunden und Katzen: Damit unsere pelzigen Freunde gesund snacken Haustiere bereichern unser Leben, und es liegt uns am Herzen, dass es ihnen gut geht. Ein wesentlicher Bestandteil ihrer Gesundheit sind die N\u00e4hrstoffe, die sie durch ihre Ern\u00e4hrung aufnehmen. Dabei sind Hunde und Katzen nicht nur in ihrem Verhalten unterschiedlich, sondern auch in ihren [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8548,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[502],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[74],"class_list":["post-8551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-naehrstoffbedarf-von-hunden-und-katzen-empfehlungen-fuer-gesunde-snacks","author-fh"],"authors":[{"term_id":74,"user_id":2,"is_guest":0,"slug":"fh","display_name":"David","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/David.png","url2x":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/David.png"},"author_category":"","first_name":"David","first_name_2":"","last_name":"","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":"David is a passionate aquarist with more than 20 years of experience in setting up and maintaining freshwater and saltwater aquariums. He specialises in the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems, aquascaping and the species-appropriate keeping of aquarium fish. His articles on haustierewissen.de are a treasure trove for aquarium enthusiasts looking for sound advice and creative ideas for their underwater worlds."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8551"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8551\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8552,"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8551\/revisions\/8552"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8551"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haustierewissen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=8551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}