Protein in Dog Food – How Much and Why Is It Important?

Animal nutrition is a subject on which advice and opinions can vary greatly. Most owners know that protein is an important part of a dog’s diet, but it is not always easy to decide how much a particular dog needs or how to compare the protein levels in different types of food.

There is no single diet that is right for every dog. Protein requirements can vary according to a dog’s age, size, activity level, health, reproductive status and the amount of energy provided by the food.

Protein may come from animal or plant ingredients, and many complete dog foods contain a mixture of both. The important considerations are whether the diet provides all the essential amino acids the dog needs, whether those nutrients can be digested and used effectively, and whether the food is complete and balanced for the dog’s particular life stage.

How Much Protein Does a Dog Need?

A dog needs enough good-quality protein to maintain muscles, skin, coat, organs, enzymes, hormones and the immune system. Growing puppies, pregnant or nursing bitches, working dogs and highly active dogs may require more protein and energy than an average adult pet.

Figures such as 18% protein for adult dogs and approximately 22–25% for puppies are often quoted. However, these are general minimum figures used within particular nutritional standards and should not be treated as the ideal amount for every dog.

European nutritional guidelines express recommendations in relation to both the food’s dry matter and its energy content. This is because two foods with the same protein percentage may provide very different amounts of protein once moisture, calories and the quantity eaten are taken into account.

Rather than relying on one percentage, check that the food is described as complete and suitable for the dog’s life stage. A complementary food is not intended to provide every nutrient unless it is correctly combined with other ingredients.

Understanding Dry Matter

Dry food, canned food, fresh food and raw food contain very different amounts of water. Protein percentages printed on labels are normally given “as fed”, meaning that the moisture is still included in the calculation. This can make wet or raw food appear much lower in protein than dry food even when it is not.

Protein Quality

The amount of protein is only one consideration. Protein quality, digestibility and the balance of essential amino acids are also important. A food containing a high percentage of poorly balanced or less digestible protein is not necessarily better than one containing a slightly lower amount of protein that the dog can use efficiently.

Animal and plant ingredients can both contribute useful protein. Meat, fish, eggs and some dairy products generally provide highly digestible protein, but properly prepared plant ingredients can also supply valuable amino acids and other nutrients.

Cooking and processing can alter proteins, but this does not automatically make processed food nutritionally inferior. Reputable manufacturers formulate complete foods to ensure that the finished product—not merely its individual ingredients—provides the nutrients the dog needs.

Likewise, a raw or fresh diet is not automatically complete simply because its ingredients are natural. It must contain the correct balance of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids over time.

Does High Protein Cause Kidney Disease?

There is no good evidence that an appropriately balanced, higher-protein diet causes kidney disease in a healthy dog. However, feeding more protein than a dog needs does not automatically provide an additional health benefit.

Dogs that already have chronic kidney disease require individual veterinary assessment. A therapeutic renal diet will usually control several nutrients, including protein and phosphorus, rather than simply providing the lowest possible protein level.

Reducing protein too severely can contribute to loss of muscle and poor body condition, particularly in an older dog. The amount and type of protein should therefore be adjusted according to the dog’s diagnosis, blood and urine test results, appetite, weight and stage of kidney disease.

Protein and Older Dogs

A healthy older dog does not necessarily need a low-protein diet simply because of age. Older dogs may become less efficient at maintaining muscle and can sometimes benefit from sufficient good-quality, digestible protein.

However, an older dog with diagnosed kidney, liver or another medical condition may need a specially formulated diet. Regular veterinary checks can help identify health problems before making major dietary changes.

Hydration

Water is essential for healthy body function. Wet, fresh and raw foods naturally contain more moisture than kibble, which is why dogs eating them may drink less from their water bowl.

Fresh water must always be available regardless of the type of food being fed. Water may also be added to kibble if the dog prefers it that way, although extra moisture alone cannot make an unsuitable diet appropriate for a dog with kidney disease.

Raw and Processed Food

Owners may choose raw, fresh, wet or dry food according to what suits their dog, lifestyle and budget. A diet should not be judged solely by whether it is raw or processed. Its overall nutritional balance, ingredients, storage, manufacture and suitability for the individual dog are more important.

Kibble is processed food, but processing does not guarantee that a product can never become contaminated. Dry and cooked pet foods have occasionally been recalled because harmful bacteria or other contaminants have been discovered. No type of pet food should be assumed to be completely free from risk.

Preparing raw dog food requires the same careful hygiene used when preparing raw meat for your own meals. Hands, utensils, bowls and work surfaces should be washed thoroughly, and raw food should be stored, defrosted and disposed of safely.

Raw food has not undergone a cooking stage intended to kill bacteria, so particular care is advisable in homes containing young children, pregnant women, older people or anyone with a weakened immune system. Dogs may carry and shed bacteria without appearing ill, so sensible food hygiene remains important.

Anyone preparing a homemade raw or cooked diet should ensure that it is properly balanced. Feeding meat alone does not provide all the calcium, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients a dog needs.

Choosing an Appropriate Food

When selecting food for your dog, consider:

• Whether it is complete or complementary.
• Whether it is suitable for the dog’s age and life stage.
• The protein sources and overall amino-acid balance.
• The protein level when compared on a dry matter basis.
• The food’s calorie content and the quantity the dog needs to eat.
• Your dog’s weight, muscle condition, activity and general health.
• How the food is manufactured, handled and stored.
• Whether your dog enjoys the food and remains well on it.

The most suitable diet is one that provides all the nutrients your individual dog needs, maintains a healthy weight and muscle condition, and is practical for you to feed safely and consistently.