ADEQUAÇÃO NUTRICIONAL DE DIETAS CASEIRAS PARA CÃES PUBLICADAS EM MEIOS ELETRÔNICOS

The negative view of dog and cat tutors on the processed food industry coupled with the increase in anthropomorphism has played a key role in the selection of food for companion animals. The demand for natural and homemade diets has increased in recent years, accompanied by records of elementary nutritional deficiencies. The objective of the study was to evaluate the composition of home diets for adult dogs available on the internet. The nutritional levels of 26 diets were analyzed and compared with the minimum nutritional requirements recommended by FEDIAF (2018) for maintenance adult dogs. All diets showed deficiency in Mn, Zn, choline, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine. Only 21 diets met the minimum requirement for crude protein. Other deficiencies included: Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Fe, and vitamins B6 and A. The results show the wide dissemination of inappropriate formulas for the maintenance of health and well-being of dogs.