Written by Zoe Russell, BSc (hons), ANutr
Nutrition Officer at Naturediet
What is single-protein dog food?
Single protein diets are those formulated with only one type of animal-derived protein, such as salmon, chicken, lamb or turkey. While recipes can contain a variety of other ingredients, including vegetables, rice or potatoes, they are centred around a single animal protein. These diets often make use of simple, specific labelling in their composition, to help owners make informed choices based on their dog’s known, or suspected dietary needs.
What are the benefits of single-protein dog food?
One of the main advantages of single-protein dog food is that it can make managing your dog’s diet more straightforward, particularly if they have known food sensitivities or suspected allergies. By focusing on one animal protein source, it may be easier to keep track of which proteins your dog consumes and identify potential triggers, alongside guidance from your vet.
Single-protein dog food can also be a good option for fussy eaters, as it allows owners to choose a recipe centred around a protein their dog already enjoys. Just like us, dogs have their own tastes and preferences, and some can be particularly reluctant to try something new! If you know your dog enjoys chicken, for example, choosing a chicken-based recipe can help you stick with a familiar favourite rather than introducing a different animal protein. This can make choosing their food a little simpler and help keep mealtimes familiar.
Is single-protein dog food good for sensitive stomachs?
Digestive upset in dogs can have a variety of causes, from stress and excitement, to sudden changes in diet, increased activity levels or other health-related factors. These can sometimes lead to symptoms such as loose stools or flatulence, meaning a change in food isn’t always the answer.
However, if other potential causes have been explored and ruled out with the help of your vet, a dietary sensitivity or intolerance may be worth investigating. In these cases, reviewing your dog’s diet and considering whether a single-protein recipe may be suitable could be a helpful next step.
Can single-protein dog food help with food intolerances?
A food intolerance occurs when a dog has difficulty tolerating or digesting a particular food or ingredient. For example, a dog may struggle to digest cow’s milk.
In these cases, knowing which ingredients are included in your dog’s food can be helpful. A single-protein recipe makes the animal protein source clear, helping you make informed choices based on your dog’s known, or suspected dietary needs. However, it’s important to remember that single-protein food does not automatically address every intolerance, as a dog may react to other ingredients in the recipe, too. Therefore, it can sometimes be a patient process of elimination when working out how a dog’s food is contributing towards their wellbeing.
How to choose the right single-protein dog food
When choosing a single-protein recipe, consider your dog’s age, lifestyle and individual dietary needs, as well as the ingredients that suit them best. It’s also important to select a complete food that provides the nutrients they need for everyday health.
At Naturediet, all of our wet diets are balanced and complete, meaning they provide all the nutrients a healthy dog needs. We also offer a range of recipes to suit different ages, activity levels and nutritional needs. Our Purely Lamb and Purely Chicken recipes contain 92% meat, alongside added vitamins and minerals to provide a complete and balanced diet. Each features a single animal protein source, as well as limited ingredient recipes to help make our labels simple and clean.
For dogs whose dietary needs and preferences suit a grain-inclusive recipe, our Feel Good range offers further options, including Feel Good Puppy, Feel Good Lamb and Feel Good Chicken. These recipes contain rice as a source of energy, alongside ingredients such as carrots and seaweed which naturally supply a healthy source of vitamins and minerals.
Finding the right food for your dog
Choosing the right food is an important part of supporting your dog’s health and wellbeing but knowing where to start can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you’re unsure which Naturediet recipe is best suited to your dog, our nutrition team is happy to help.
Simply email us 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.