Are you a dog owner who is concerned about their pup’s nutritional intake? Being a doting dog parent, you must be wondering how much protein your pet should be taking in for healthy growth. Also, what are the best sources to supplement your pet’s diet with good protein content?
This article gets you covered for all such questions. Let’s find out how much protein is in dog food and why it is important for them. We will also have a look at the dog nutrition chart to learn more facts. Therefore, keep reading!
Why Is Protein Important For My Dog?
Before learning about protein percentage in dog food, one should know how protein affects a dog’s growth and health. Besides carbs and fats, protein holds a major share in metabolizable energy for dogs. A protein diet supplements your pet with 10 essential amino acids that their bodies can’t make themselves.
Following are some major areas where proteins are vital to your feline’s health:
- Your dog’s coat is more than 90% protein. Therefore, a protein diet supports your pet’s skin, and coat health
- It also helps in promoting muscle growth and development
- Dogs need a good balance of proteins and fats in their diet to maintain their energy levels
- Researches show that increased dietary proteins can help your pup in maintaining its weight
- Several proteins play a vital role in supporting an animal’s immune system
How Much Protein Is In Dog Food?
Before buying food for your dog, it’s better to check if all the nutritional protein requirements are fulfilled. If you want to figure out the protein content yourself, then you must pay special attention to the water content of your pet’s food. Because it is where the nutritional labels can mislead.
Let’s share some calculations with you to make it way easier for you to check the protein quality of your dog’s diet:
- If it’s dry dog food, 200 grams of it will be containing about 30 grams of protein
- In the case of wet food, there will be around 8 grams of protein in 200-gram food
- Similarly, a cup of dry protein (100g) will contain almost 16g of protein
Dietary Sources of Protein for Dogs:
According to the pet food industry, a high-quality protein diet is a combination of both plant and animal protein sources. To keep your friend healthy, try the best combos of both these sources.
Animal Sources:
Meat and chicken are the most abundant and rich protein sources in the case of dog food. These are rich in essential amino acids and also come with low-fat content. Besides, you can also consider the following options:
- Pork
- Rabbit
- Fish
- Eggs
- Turkey
- Lamb
- Beef
Plant Sources:
Being omnivorous, dogs can fulfill their protein requirements from both animal and plant foods. Packaged dog foods are usually rich in plant-based proteins. If your dog is having any kind of meat allergies or stomach sensitivity, then you must prefer plant proteins over animal ones.
Following are the common plant-based sources that you can consider:
- Rice
- Barley
- Oats
- Peas
- Soy
- Potato
- Lentils
Protein Diet According to Dog’s Age:
You might often think, “What is a good amount of protein in dog food“? But before this, you must know that the protein requirements may vary from dog to dog and are different in different stages of a dog’s life. The following table shows the minimum amount of crude protein required by dogs of different age groups:
| Puppies | 22.5% min | |
| Adult dogs | 18% min | |
| Senior dogs | 28% min |
How to Check Protein Deficiency in Dogs?
Dogs can have protein deficiencies either due to malnutrition or malabsorption. Following are the signs you commonly see in protein-deficient dogs:
- Muscle shortening
- Weight loss
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Dullness or lethargy
- Brittle coat
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Certain Proteins?
High-protein dog food can bring havoc if your furry friend is allergic to some proteins. Food allergies are less common in dogs but studies have proved that they do exist. Most common allergens found are in animal protein sources including meat, chicken, lamb, etc.
Moreover, some species of dogs are more prone to allergies than others. For instance, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and West Highland Terriers are among the commonest ones to get food allergies. In case of any medical emergency after eating some food, you should immediately get your pet to a vet.
Can Dogs With Stomach Sensitivity Take High Protein Diets?
If your dog is already dealing with stomach sensitivities, then a high-protein diet can cause the poor little soul to suffer from diarrhea or indigestion. To avoid such instances, consider feeding your feline with raw or gently cooked meats rather than processed ones. The latter ones are harder to digest and are low in nutritional status.
Dog Nutrition Chart:
Although protein is a vital component of your pet’s diet, it can’t fulfill all the nutritional requirements alone. To provide your furry partner with balanced and complete nutrition, you should have a good knowledge of dog food nutrition facts.
Go through this chart once to have a complete overview:
| Nutritional component | Requirements |
| Carbs | Upto 50% with 4-5% fiber |
| Fats | 5.5% (min) |
| Proteins | 10% (min) |
| Total calories required | 40 ( for puppies) to 22.5 calories/pound for big dogs |
Bottom Line:
It was all about how much protein is in dog food and why high-protein dog food is important. Every pet owner who is considerate about their dog’s health should pay special attention to their feline’s protein intake. Proteins are vital to your animal’s body for its growth, development, immunity, health, and strength.
Also, don’t forget to check the nutritional status before shopping for any kind of dog food. Only a complete and balanced diet can ensure your feline’s health.