Final answer:
Dog foods include ingredients like tomato pomace for fiber and antioxidants, while corn provides carbohydrates. Less processed starches also benefit gut health and energy metabolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special feeds in dog foods, such as tomato pomace, corn, and other starch foods, serve various nutritional purposes. Tomato pomace is rich in fibers which help in digestion and it also contains antioxidants. Starch-rich ingredients like corn provide energy for dogs as they are sources of carbohydrates.
It is critical to ensure a balanced diet for dogs which includes essential amino acids and a variety of proteins. Over-reliance on a single food source can lead to nutritional deficiencies. For example, corn lacks the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan, which are vital for a dog's health.
A diet must also be digestible; if the dog cannot properly absorb the nutrients, the food will not provide its intended benefits. Proteins from both animal and plant sources can increase the absorbability of other nutrients like fats and starch when mixed in a diet, enhancing overall nutrition.
Lastly, resistant starch from less processed food is beneficial for gut health, as it reaches the large intestine and supports the microbiome, which is crucial for a dog's overall well-being and energy metabolism, potentially preventing metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.