Written by Zoe Russell, BSc (hons), ANutr
Nutrition Officer at Naturediet
Why do dogs need protein?
Protein is an essential macronutrient that acts as a building block for tissues such as muscles and organs. It can also provide a source of energy when digested. Proteins have many important functions within the body, including forming enzymes and some hormones, which help regulate essential bodily processes.
Proteins are made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids. These join together in different sequences to form proteins, each with its own specific structure and function.
How much protein does a dog need?
A balanced and complete diet should provide all the nutrients a healthy dog needs, including an appropriate level of protein. FEDIAF (the European Pet Food Industry Federation) provides nutritional guidelines for pet food manufacturers, with recommended nutrient levels based on scientific research.
Protein requirements vary depending on an individual dog's needs, including their age, activity level and life stage. For example, growing puppies and pregnant or lactating dogs have different nutritional requirements to healthy adult dogs. These guidelines provide a starting point, but it's also important to adjust your dog's feeding amount to suit their individual needs, weight and body condition.
Which dogs might benefit from a high-protein diet?
Protein is essential for maintaining and repairing muscles and other body tissues, making an adequate supply particularly important for growing puppies and active dogs. Dogs with higher nutritional demands may benefit from diets with increased levels of protein and other key nutrients. This is why you'll often find diets specifically formulated for puppies and active dogs that are more nutrient-dense, providing more energy and nutrients in each portion.
Is too much protein bad for dogs?
A dog's body doesn't store excess protein in the same way it stores fat or carbohydrates. Once protein requirements have been met, any additional protein is broken down, with some being used for energy and waste products processed and excreted in the urine. Diets very high in protein can also contribute to those familiar yellow patches on the lawn, however, this can have other causes too. It's also worth remembering that excess protein doesn't automatically cause weight gain; it's an overall excess of calories that can lead to unwanted weight gain.
How should I read a pet food label?
When comparing protein levels between dog foods, it's not accurate to simply compare the percentages on the packaging, particularly between wet and dry food. This is because wet food contains much more moisture than dry food, making the protein and fat percentages appear lower. To make a fair comparison, we need to compare the nutritional content on what's called a dry matter basis, which removes the moisture from the calculation. To learn more, UK Pet Food have produced a handy fact sheet here.
However, a higher protein percentage doesn't always mean your dog is getting more protein overall. It's also important to consider how much food you feed each day. A dog eating a larger portion of a lower-protein food could receive the same amount of protein as a dog eating a smaller portion of a higher-protein food. So, don't just look at the percentage on the packaging; consider how much your dog actually eats too!
How to choose a high-protein dog food
At Naturediet, we have a range of diets suited to different breeds, ages, activity levels and nutritional needs. If you're looking for a higher-protein recipe, the Purely range might be the right choice for your dog. Our Purely diets contain 12% protein (as fed), provided by high-quality meat and fish, including chicken, salmon and white fish, and lamb. These recipes are particularly suited to dogs who may benefit from a more calorie-dense diet, such as active dogs or those who are prone to running lean. As these diets provide more calories in every gram, you can generally feed a more manageable portion, while still providing the nutrients your dog needs.
Explore Naturediet's high-protein recipes
Choosing the right diet for your dog is important for their health and wellbeing. If you're unsure which diet is right for your dog, or are looking for some feeding advice, our nutrition team are on hand to help.
Drop us an email at nutrition@naturediet.co.uk, or alternatively call us on 01362 822 320, for advice on finding a recipe to suit your dog's individual needs.