High Protein Dog Food Buyer’s Guide
The information provided above might be overwhelming to you because some of the terms are a bit hard to understand. But there’s no need to panic. In this next section, we’ll provide a detailed guide to help you make the best decision when it comes to choosing the right high protein dog food for your beloved furry friend.
Also, you can make use of our dog calorie calcalutor to determine the number of calories to feed your canine buddy daily.
Average Protein Content
When it comes to choosing the best high-protein dog food, it’s essential to determine the average amount of protein that a typical dog needs. Most vets and even the AAFCO recommends that dogs should have 20% to 30% of the protein in their diet each day. Dog foods containing less than 20% of protein are considered low protein dog food, while anywhere above 30% is considered high protein dog food. An average dog needs somewhere between 20% and 30% protein.
Animal Proteins
Whether you want a high or low protein diet for your dog food, it’s best to choose something that’s made from animal-based proteins. Therefore, you should always refer to the list of ingredients for every dog food that you plan on buying. Proteins derived from animals will be much easier for your pooch to digest. As such, they will be able to get the maximum benefit since there would be less waste as a result of undigested proteins. When you refer to the list of ingredients in your dog food, you’ll find that they are listed in the order of the percentage amount of the ingredients used. Therefore, it should be easy to determine the amount of protein that the dog food has.
Balanced Diet
Just like humans, your beloved dogs can benefit from a balanced diet consisting of three macronutrients, namely carbs, fats, and proteins. It is best to have a discussion with your vet and have your dog checked annually to ensure that you will be able to provide its daily dietary needs. If you are interested, we have complied a list of heathiest dog food that you can feed your pooch with.
Why Is Protein Needed?
Dogs need 22 vital amino acids to stay strong and healthy, of which 12 are produced in their bodies, while the other 10 must be supplemented in their diets. Amino acids are protein’s building blocks and half of these are naturally occurring in the animal’s body. The other half must be supplemented through their diet.
Protein plays an essential role in the overall health of your beloved pooch. Aside from helping with the building and repair of your pet’s body tissues, proteins also help in the formation of new skin cells. It also aids in the development of hair and muscles. Furthermore, protein is a crucial component in the production of hormones and enzymes and it also provides your pooch with increased energy, which is very important for active dogs.
With an active dog, you can have tons of outdoor activities such as hiking or playing frisbee fetch games.
Are Dogs Carnivores?
Vets have long been taught that dogs are considered omnivores. They digest foods that contain carbohydrates and have 10 key genes that can metabolize fat and digest starch. Yet, just like a wolf, which is the dog’s close relative, dogs often lean towards meat for their primary source of nutrients. In fact, their teeth are designed to easily tear and cut meat into pieces, unlike other herbivore animals like cows, which use their teeth to grind grains.
Also, dogs often have bigger stomachs compared to animals that are considered herbivores. Thus, they can cope with large-sized meals comprising entirely of meat or fish.
Can Dogs Consume Diets High In Protein?
Given the wide range of dog foods available in the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of choices available. All these dog foods claim to be the best, which makes it even more confusing to choose.
The key is to choose something that specifically matches with your dog’s diet and preferences. So think about your pooch’s lifestyle and nature. For instance, if you need to feed puppies, then you need something with a higher concentration of protein to help their bodies to develop fully. Working dogs that often have higher levels of energy also require a good amount of protein in the diet. You need to understand the kind of dog that you have so you can decide on the type of dog food to feed it.
Likewise, if your canine buddy has allergies, it’s best to get a limited ingredient dog food instead.
Benefits Of High-Protein Diets In Dogs
Below are some of the benefits of feeding your active dogs with a high protein diet:
- Boosts the immune system
- Development of lean and strong muscles
- Have enough energy to stay active for long periods of time
- Healthier and shinier coat and skin
- Supports proper functioning of organs, including liver and kidney
Overall, it’s important that your dog gets the right amount of protein for their daily diet. Just like us, our dogs need to have the proper nutrition to stay healthy and strong. It’s best to check with your pet’s vet if you need help figuring out the right amount of protein for your dog.
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