DOG NUTRITION · REFERENCE LIBRARY
AAFCO Nutrients for Dogs
A practical directory of the nutrients covered by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. Start with what each nutrient does, then consider how the entire diet works together.
AAFCO publishes separate dog-food nutrient profiles for adult maintenance and growth and reproduction. The nutrients below are organized for learning, not as a supplement shopping list. Minimums—and certain maximums—apply to the complete diet, not to individual ingredients.
Individual nutrient articles are being added to the Lazy Dog Mom library. This directory provides a complete topic index even when an article is not yet available.
Protein & essential amino acids
Protein provides amino acids used throughout the body. AAFCO profiles include a crude-protein minimum and individual amino-acid targets.
- Protein
- Arginine
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Methionine + cystine
- Phenylalanine
- Phenylalanine + tyrosine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
Fat & essential fatty acids
Dietary fat supplies energy and essential fatty acids. Some fatty-acid entries apply specifically to growth and reproduction.
- Crude fat
- Linoleic acid (omega-6)
- Alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3; growth/reproduction)
- EPA + DHA (growth/reproduction)
Minerals
Minerals work in relationships, not isolation. Calcium and phosphorus, for example, also have a required ratio.
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Copper
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Iodine
- Selenium
Vitamins & choline
AAFCO profiles list vitamins and choline with amounts that depend on the life stage and the nutrient.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Thiamine (B1)
- Riboflavin (B2)
- Pantothenic acid (B5)
- Niacin (B3)
- Pyridoxine (B6)
- Folic acid (B9)
- Vitamin B12
- Choline
Explore the nutrient articles
Start with published Lazy Dog Mom articles on calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. More nutrients will be added as new guides are finished.
Browse the micronutrient articles →Reference: AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, as summarized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This page is educational; a complete and balanced diet must meet the appropriate life-stage requirements. AAFCO does not endorse Lazy Dog Mom.
LEARN MORE, ONE NUTRIENT AT A TIME
Available nutrient guides
Browse the printable deep dives. Each guide is linked directly to its product page, so there's no separate directory to update.