Originally Posted by hillspet

Nutrients vs. Ingredients

As in human nutrition, a body needs nutrients - from ingredients - like protein, fat and fibre to function. Ingredients are simply vehicles that deliver this mixture of nutrients to the body. When choosing the ingredients for pet food, it's the total nutrient balance of ingredients that's important.

Nutrient is a metabolically useful component of food, which may be essential or non-essential.

Some nutrients provide energy. Protein, fats and carbohydrates provide the body with fuel, just like petrol in a car. Different nutrients are needed in varying amounts per day. For example, both humans and animals require kilograms of water but only micrograms of certain vitamins.