Natural ingredients are vital for the health of dogs and cats. Genuine, natural ingredients containing original vitamins and minerals provide the best nourishment for the body. They have made it possible to develop a strong immune system and to maintain the performance of animals over the last millennia. This is why a species-appropriate food contains only natural ingredients, i.e. naturally pure vitamins and minerals, without any artificial or synthetic additives.
The benefits of natural ingredients in our food
Natural ingredients such as vitamins and minerals, which are naturally contained in plants, are easily utilised and offer the best availability for the body. The variety of natural ingredients in plants is very broad and it is the interaction of different nutrients that is extremely valuable for the health of the animal.
The table shows you which ingredients in our cold-pressed dry food provide which nutrients to provide your pet with everything it needs for a healthy and vital life in a natural way.
Natural vitamins in food
Vitamins support various processes in the body and each individual vitamin fulfills specific tasks. Without an adequate supply of vitamins, deficiency symptoms can occur, but an oversupply can also endanger the health of your pet. Many dog and cat owners only look at the feeding tables for the quantities of the individual vitamins, believing that their pet is optimally supplied by high amounts. However, the decisive question is not "how much", but "how well" – because it depends on the usability of the vitamins or how well the vitamins are utilised.
Minerals in food
Minerals are also among the natural ingredients within many different plants. They have many different physiological functions for dogs and cats. They are responsible for the structure and stability of the skeleton and teeth, play an important role in the transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction and are important for regulating the acid-base balance.
The interaction of natural ingredients
It is very important to use not only isolated substances, such as individual, synthetic vitamins as an ingredient in a feed, but also to use the diverse essence of a plant. In this way, all of its natural ingredients, such as the vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and important secondary plant compounds it contains, end up in the feed as a whole. This is because natural ingredients complement and influence each other, for example by ensuring that another natural ingredient can aid absorption in the body. A good example of this is the fat-soluble vitamin A - as a natural ingredient of plants, it cannot be dissolved in water and must be absorbed together with fats so that the body can best utilise it.
Secondary plant compounds are among the natural ingredients of plants
If you are interested in healthy, natural nutrition, you can increasingly read more about important secondary phytochemicals. These include bitter compounds, tannins and flavonoids and their important beneficial properties. But what do these much-used terms actually mean?
The natural ingredients of plants and berries include more than just vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Plants contain a wide-ranging bouquet of nutrients, each of which fulfils a specific function.
Bitter compounds as natural ingredients of plants
Bitter compounds are also called amara (latin). The properties of bitter compounds are valuable in supporting the digestive organs. Natural bitter compounds found in ingredients such as dandelion or artichoke, stabilise the formation of bile and gastric juices and support the functions of the Pancreas. They can also promote the healthy functioning of the liver. The liver is an organ whose function includes the breakdown and elimination of toxins. Bitter compounds support the activation of the mucous membranes in the digestive system, and they maintain their elasticity and mobility. The function of the digestive glands often declines in old age, here the bitter compounds can be a valuable and purely natural support.
Naturavetal® Info
Bitter compounds
The best-known bitter compounds can be found in artichoke, dandelion, yarrow, gentian, centaury, chamomile and many other plants.
Flavonoids as natural ingredients in plants
Flavonoids are the colouring agents of plants - from bright yellow to red. As natural ingredients of plants, they are ingested daily with food. The term flavonoid is the collective noun for various substances with the same chemical structure - albeit of completely natural origin. Flavonoids have varies uses. Plants or specific parts of plants, e.g. their fruits and berries, have been collected and processed by humans for centuries. Down the years, the experience gained has been passed down from generation to generation. Nowadays, plants, and their natural ingredients are increasingly becoming the focus of scientific interest. The flavonoids found in celery and raspberries can be used as nutritional dietary supplement in cancer therapy, the rutin from horse chestnut can help to keep veins healthy and the flavonoids in hawthorn can have a positive effect on heart function. Birch and goldenrod contain flavonoids, which can help to keep the kidneys and bladder healthy. Flavonoids are also known as polyphenols and generally have an antioxidant effect. Within this spectrum they can help reduce inflammation, support circulation and the breakdown of tissue damaged by disease, and even play a role in pigmentation. Green leafed vegetables such as spinach and basil as well as blackberries and currants are particularly rich in flavonoids.
Tanning agents as natural ingredients of plants
Tanning agents have a very characteristic property: their astringent effect, which is not only used in leather production. As natural plant ingredients, tanning agents can be used internally and externally. Internally, for example, they support the health of the intestinal mucosa and are helpful in cases of diarrhoea. Tannins are used externally, e.g. for gum inflammation, wounds or skin conditions, as the tannins form a specific bond with the protein substances of the skin and mucous membrane and can thus protect against the absorption of bacteria and toxins.
Vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, secondary plant substances etc for dogs and cats - the variety of natural ingredients counts
With a balanced diet of high-quality natural food, you will be able to provide your pet with natural ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and important secondary plant substances. However, you can still fortify their food – especially during phases of increased need, e.g. during convalescence or when shedding their coat. This is because, when in phases of increased demand, it makes sense for your pet to absorb more natural ingredients than it would normally need.
Canis Extra
Food Supplements for Dogs
Felins Plus®
Food Supplements for Cats
More information and frequently asked questions (FAQ) about natural ingredients in Canis Plus®
What natural ingredients should you look for in dog food?
With dog food, you should make sure that it only contains natural ingredients that are nutritionally valuable for the dog. This means that it should not contain any hidden sugars such as molasses or any other inferior animal or vegetable by-products such as claws, feathers, leaves or roots. It should also be free from artificial vitamins, colourants, preservatives and flavourings.
How do I recognise good dog food?
Good dog food is characterised by the fact that it’s ingredients are openly declared, it does not contain inferior animal or vegetable by-products such as feathers, claws, stalks or roots and does not contain any chemical additives such as synthetic vitamins or artificial preservatives. You can find out more here.
Which dog food has the largest meat content?
In general, it can be said that a wet food usually has a higher meat content than a dry food. The reason is simple, dry food is always dependent on a certain proportion of carbohydrates to make it mouldable into kibble. As wet food does not have to be pressed into shape, the carbohydrate content is correspondingly lower.
However, a dog food is not automatically good just because it has a high crude protein content, which suggests a high meat content. The quality of the processed meat plays a decisive role, as does the proportion of meat in relation to the other ingredients. Too much meat can cause acidosis in a sensitive dog or make a nervous dog even more restless. The food can influence the dog's behaviour in various ways. You can find out more about this topic here.
What is the best grain-free dog food?
The best grain-free dog food should use high-quality alternatives such as buckwheat, millet or amaranth and avoid ingredients such as pulses or potatoes so as not to put unnecessary strain on organs such as the pancreas. However, if you want to feed your dog a low-carb diet, it is best to choose wet food. Grain-free wet food varieties such as the Canis Plus® complete meals offer the best option if you want to feed your dog a low-carb diet. You can find out more about grain-free dog food here.
Which food is best for my dog?
Every dog is unique and has its own individual requirements. In principle, there is no single, perfect dog food for every dog. However, there are basic characteristics that characterise a good dog food: It should consist of high-quality ingredients with purely natural ingredients and avoid synthetic additives such as artificial vitamins, preservatives, colourants or flavourings. Low-quality by-products such as feathers, claws, leaves or roots should not be processed, and the manufacturer should declare openly and transparently what ingredients are processed in their food.
If you are unsure which food would best suit your dog, then feel free to take a look here.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone. We are here to help you with comprehensive advice. You can reach us Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by phone at 0208 - 531 7804 or mail info@naturavetal.co.uk.
Naturavetal® food samples
We will be happy to send you food samples and help you choose the right variety
The Naturavetal® Newsletter
In our newsletter, we inform you about innovations in natural, healthy food for dogs and cats
