Animal Nutrition

At BioZyme^®, we have been in the animal nutrition business for more than 70 years. In that time, we have grown from making a simple cattle mineral to expanding our product lines to include supplements for multiple species. These include all the animals in our lives. From those that feed and clothe the world, like cattle, hogs and sheep, to the animals that offer companionship, like dogs, cats, horses and backyard birds. We know that animal health and animal nutrition work collaboratively. Healthy animals are happy animals that grow and perform better.

Good health starts with good nutrition. BioZyme makes animal nutrition a priority for that exact reason. We know that if our animals have good nutrition each day, their health is less likely to be compromised. A healthy animal makes a better companion. That is part of our company motto: care that comes full circle. If we show that animal care, the care will come back to us—just like a boomerang.

Dogs, cats, and backyard birds have different nutritional needs due to their species, but there are common nutrients they all require to stay healthy. Here’s a breakdown of these essential nutrients.

Animal Nutrition is Common Across All Species

Many nutrients are common across all species. It’s true. You and I need the same basic nutrients to survive as our little fluffy cat, Midnight, and the neighbor’s barking dog Nala. Even your flock of backyard chickens that you love to watch peck around have similar nutritional needs to the flock of sheep you see on your daily commute.

Here’s a breakdown of nutrients needed by some of our favorite companion animals and the sources for them by animal.

Water

Water is the most critical for all animals. All living beings require access to clean, fresh water at all times. Water is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, temperature regulation and overall health. Ensure that water sources are clean, easily accessible and free from contaminants.  

Protein

Protein is necessary for growth, tissue repair, and immune function. It is also a vital component for reproduction, so if you breed dogs or raise chickens for eggs, you will want to make sure your animal nutrition plan includes adequate protein.

Senior cats specifically need more protein than younger cats for heart health and eye health.

Additionally, feathers are made of 90% protein, so protein is essential for young birds.

Protein Sources

Dogs: Animal proteins, including chicken, beef and fish.

Cats: Cats are obligate carnivores, so they require high levels of animal protein.

Birds: Insects, seeds and sometimes plant proteins.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are vital to a dog’s health and diet, providing energy and supporting digestive function. However, carbohydrates are not an essential part of our feline friends’ diets, and cats often get their energy from meat-based sources. Birds do require carbohydrates as they are the nutrient source that creates energy, which in turn helps create internal heat.

Carbohydrate Sources

Dogs: Dogs can digest grains, vegetables and fruits.

Cats: Since their ability to digest carbohydrates is limited, energy comes from meat-based sources.

Birds: Seeds, fruits and grains supply carbs.

Fats

It might sound insane to think that fats are an essential part of any diet. However, healthy fats are a source of energy and essential fatty acids. Furthermore, did you know that birds get their feather pigmentation from fats? It’s true! And a bird deficient in protein and fat when it is young could have challenges finding its mate due to disfigured, discolored feathers.

Healthy Fat Sources

Dogs & Cats: Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are found in fish oils and animal fats.

Birds: Seeds and nuts provide fat.

Vitamins

Vitamins are important to animal nutrition because they support metabolic functions and overall health. Every vitamin plays an essential role in the animal’s immunity, absorption rate, metabolism, vision, skin and hair. It is nearly impossible for an animal to get every necessary vitamin and mineral from one food source; therefore, most commercial food has vitamins and minerals added in. Vitamin and mineral supplements are also available from most pet stores or veterinarian offices.

Let’s explore the essential vitamins and their basic functions:

Vitamin A: Essential for vision and skin health.

Vitamin D: Important for calcium absorption.

Vitamin E: An antioxidant that supports the immune system.

Vitamin K: Needed for blood clotting.

B Vitamins: Play a role in energy metabolism.

Minerals

Just like vitamins, minerals are an important part of the animal nutrition protocol. Minerals are critical for bone health, nerve function and enzyme production. They are often supplemented in processed food or found in supplements for your companion animals.

Minerals can be organic or inorganic. Organic minerals come from the earth. They are provided as a complex with an organic agent like amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates and are therefore also called complexed or chelated minerals. Inorganic minerals are provided as inorganic salts like sulfates, carbonates, chlorides and oxides. Organic minerals are typically more readily absorbed.

Here’s a list of essential minerals and their roles for your dogs, cats and backyard birds.

Calcium & Phosphorus: For bones, teeth and eggshells (for birds).

Magnesium: Muscle and nerve function.

Potassium: Fluid balance and muscle function.

Iron: Essential for red blood cell production.

Zinc: Supports the immune system and skin health.

Species-Specific Animal Nutrition Requirements

We’ve given you an overview of nutrients that every living being needs to develop, grow and thrive. However, there are some definite differences between dogs and cats and birds! Let’s break down some specific nutrition requirements for each of these companions.

Dogs

Dogs flourish on a balanced omnivorous diet, meaning they should eat both plants and meats. They need animal proteins, carbohydrates from grains and vegetables and essential fatty acids.

Cats

As carnivores, cats need a diet rich in animal protein and fat. They require taurine, an amino acid critical for heart and eye health, which is found in animal tissues.

Backyard Birds

The diet of a backyard bird depends on the species. Most, like chickens, eat both insects and seeds. Most backyard birds require protein from insects or seeds, fats from seeds, and a variety of vitamins and minerals like calcium and iron for feather health, reproduction and general well-being.

Each species has unique dietary needs, so feeding them a species-appropriate diet is crucial for their health and longevity.

Animal Nutrition for Every Animal, Every Day 

BioZyme has served the agriculture industry as an innovator in fermentation and animal nutrition for more than 70 years. What started as a small feed store in Saint Joseph, Missouri, stockyards has grown into a global country serving more than 40 countries.

If you’re looking for a more thorough breakdown of livestock nutrition, check out our other blogs.

BioZyme makes supplements and animal health products for a variety of animals, including cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, dogs and cats. The BioZyme family of brands that impact our companion animals include: 

AO-Biotics^® – aline of fermentation products derived from BioZyme’s innovative fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae (AO) to promote resilience.

Vitalize^®– a line of supplements for horses, dogs and cats with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing.

Backyard Boost^® – a line of products purposefully crafted to support the well-being of birds.

At BioZyme, our motto is to provide care that comes full circle. That means we want to provide the best possible care for every animal, every day. We do that by providing safe, accurate products to the producers who raise the animals that ultimately feed us.  

Our mission: undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your animals and your business.   

AO-Biotics Lead the Way 

BioZyme uses fermentation and knowledge to enable passionate solutions that promote healthy livestock through valued partnerships. In 1968, our company founder, Larry Ehlert, purchased a patent and marketing rights to an unheard-of direct-fed microbial produced from a fungus called Aspergillus oryzae. Today, we have used that AO to create our flagship prebiotic AO-Biotics^® Amaferm^® and, more recently, a postbiotic for layers, AO Biotics^® EQE.  

Amaferm 

AO-Biotics Amaferm is a prebiotic research proven to enhance digestibility. Amaferm is the key additive in almost all of BioZyme’s products. It has more than 111 published and/or presented research studies proving its increase in digestibility and, ultimately, its impact on the animal.   

“Amaferm stimulates the growth of energy-harvesting bacteria, resulting in greater volatile fatty acid production (VFA) in the rumen. Volatile fatty acids serve as the primary energy source for ruminants, and an improvement in VFA production by 16% from feeding Amaferm is nutritionally the same as feeding a pound of DDGS per head per day,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Director of Beef Technical Sales.  

Amaferm is found in almost all BioZyme products across all species, helping with digestive support, reproductive success, feed efficiency and more. 

AO-Biotics EQE 

In 2023, BioZyme introduced AO-Biotics EQE, the first-and-only postbiotic developed specifically for layers. Unlike ordinary postbiotics, AO-Biotics EQE starts with BioZyme’s proprietary strain of AO, a fungus used to ferment biotics tailored to address specific animal production challenges. 

AO-Biotics EQE is research-proven to: 

Produce more sellable eggs.

Improve egg mass.

Increase productive life span.

“Through the AO-Biotics brand, BioZyme offers a line of prebiotics and postbiotics matched to specific animal health challenges, well-being and productivity. The way we have developed these products is truly innovative and a game-changer for the industry,” said Cesar Ocasio, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Business Development and Innovation. 

AO-Biotics EQE is marketed to a global and domestic market to help commercial layers. Additionally, BioZyme adds EQE to its own supplement, Backyard Boost Daily Essentials, a pelleted protein supplement for poultry designed to maximize digestibility and egg production.

Get your BioZyme Products Today!

Are you interested in purchasing animal nutrition products from the BioZyme family of brands? You can locate the products right for your animals by clicking where to buy. Or, if you prefer to show local support, find a dealer closest to you on our dealer locator. 

BioZyme® Makes Animal Nutrition a Priority