Vitamins, Minerals & More
Nutrient Guide for Dogs
Feeding homemade food isn’t just about using “real” ingredients – it’s about making sure your dog actually gets the nutrients their body needs to thrive. This guide walks you through the key nutrients for dogs, what they do, and where they typically come from in real food.
Use this page as your starting point: click into any nutrient to see what it does, common whole food sources, and things to watch for when you’re cooking at home.
What You Will Learn
Now that you understand the basic nutrient ratios and how much of each nutrient your dog needs from Lesson 1, this guide takes you one layer deeper. Here, we break down each nutrient individually—what it does in your dog’s body, how it affects overall health, and the whole-food ingredients that naturally provide it. You’ll also learn when supplements may be useful, when they’re unnecessary, and how to use this knowledge to confidently support balanced homemade meals.
Nutrient Guides
Learn the key nutrients dogs need, why each one matters, and simple ways to include them in your dog’s homemade food.
Calcium
Supports strong bones and helps keep your dog’s meals properly balanced when feeding fresh food.
Omega-3 Fats
Provides anti-inflammatory benefits and helps support skin, coat, and overall wellness.
Vitamin D
Helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance and supports overall nutritional completeness.
Zinc
Plays an important role in skin, coat, and immune support, and is often low in homemade diets.
How to Use the Guide
- Step 1: Start with the macronutrients to understand the big-picture building blocks (protein, fat, carbs, water).
- Step 2: Dive into vitamins and minerals to see what each one does and how to cover it with food or simple add-ins.
- Step 3: Explore fatty acids, fiber, and other “supportive” nutrients that help keep digestion, skin, joints, and the immune system on track.
Reminder: This guide is educational and not a substitute for veterinary care. Always talk to your vet or a qualified nutrition professional before making big changes to your dog’s diet.
