The Best High Protein Dog Food (Review & Buying Guide) in 2019

How to Choose The Best High Protein Dog Food

There are plenty of high-protein dog foods to choose from. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal choice and the taste of your dog. Here are a few things that you may want to think about when choosing the best high protein dog food for your dog.

• Did your vet recommend it?

The best person to recommend a high protein diet for dogs is your vet or a qualified animal nutritionist or experienced breeder. If you are unsure, seek advice. Your dog will have particular nutritional requirements based on their age, breed, lifestyle, and health.

• The % protein content

High protein dog food often has around 30% protein but some will have more and some will have less. Become accustomed to reading dog food ingredients labels. Also look out for carbohydrates and fat content because these are needed for energy.

• The source of the protein

Ingredients are listed on dog food labels in order of weight. The first listed ingredient should, therefore, be a high-quality meat source. Protein for dogs should be provided by things like lamb and chicken but fish sources are also high in protein. You may have ethical reasons for preferring free-running poultry sources or line-caught fish.

• Added ingredients

Many high protein foods are fortified with a mixture of vitamins and minerals to support overall health. Look out for omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as they help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy coat. Glucosamine is good for active dogs as it supports the joints.

• Ingredients that are left out

For some dogs, it’s just as important to look at what is NOT in the ingredients lists. Some dogs are allergic to wheat, soy or corn so you may want to avoid these. Also, it is best to avoid fillers and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives – they are simply unnecessary.

The Advantages of High Protein Dog Food

For dogs that have the metabolism to cope with a high protein diet, and who have an active lifestyle, there are several advantages. It is important to remember that in the wild, dogs would have lived off a diet that was very rich in fresh meat and therefore contained a lot of protein. If you have checked with your vet that your pooch would benefit from a high protein diet, here are some of the advantages:

• Muscle development. Protein is essential for muscle development. Human body-builders and athletes have a diet rich in protein to help them build up muscle mass. Dogs are no different. If your pooch has a very active occupation (e.g. a search and rescue dog) or enjoys a very active lifestyle that requires muscle strength and stamina, they will benefit from a high protein diet.
• Coat and skin condition. The amino acids provided by protein are used to build skin and hair cells. Therefore, a high protein diet will result in healthy skin and a full and glossy coat.
• Protein can be used to produce energy. It is an alternative source of energy to carbohydrates. Dogs who are very active will have plenty of energy on a high protein diet.
• Fighting disease. Protein is essential for your dog’s body to make hormones and enzymes that fight disease. With plenty of protein in their diet, your dog can fight off pathogens that have the potential to make them ill.
• Healthy organs. Amino acids are needed to manufacture the enzymes that keep internal organs functioning properly. A high protein diet helps the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and lungs to work well.
• Reproduction and growth. Pregnant and nursing dogs will thrive on a high protein diet as the pups will be taking some of the nutrients from them. The advantage of a high protein diet is that there will be plenty left for the Mom! Pups (of smaller breeds) will benefit too as the high protein content will allow them to grow and develop at normal rates.

Can Dogs Have Too Much Protein?

Healthy dogs do well on a diet that is very high in protein. After all, in the wild, their diet would have been made up almost entirely of meat. Most dog food contains around 25% protein. It is an expensive ingredient and so cheaper dog foods tend to contain less. The protein content needs to be balanced with other essential nutrients including fats, fiber, and carbohydrates. Most dogs can cope with a diet that is made up of at least 30% protein.

There are some dogs who cannot tolerate a high protein diet and they can be made ill if they are fed very high protein dog food. They need formulations that contain a much lower proportion of protein.  The dogs that will suffer from too much protein are:

• Dogs with liver disease and protein intolerance. Their liver is no longer able to break down protein into amino acids and does not process waste products so they build up in the bloodstream and affects other organs.
• Dogs with excess copper in their liver. This can eventually lead to liver failure. Foods like red meat that are high in protein usually contain high levels of copper. High protein diets will, therefore, make this condition worse.
• Dogs with kidney disease. Kidneys filter waste products out of the blood and turn them into the urine. When a dog’s body breaks down protein, a lot of toxins are produced. High protein foods are not suitable for dogs with some types of kidney disease.
• Dogs with urate bladder stones. Bladder stones are made partly of purines and these enter your dog’s body in protein. Dogs who are susceptible to bladder stones should not be fed a high protein diet.
• Large breeds pups. It is possible for large breed pups to grow too quickly and this makes their bones weak. The amount of protein in their diet, as well as the calcium and phosphorus levels, need to be carefully controlled and they should be fed a commercial dog food designed specifically for large breed pups. High protein puppy food is not suitable for them.

What Kind Of Dogs Need a High Protein Dog Food?

Some dogs need more protein in their diet than others. Here are the main groups that would benefit from dog food with the most protein.

• Puppies. Pups are growing and developing very rapidly. Their cells are multiplying very quickly and for that, they need biological building blocks which are supplied by protein. It is important to choose a dog food that is designed for puppies.
• Pregnant or nursing females. Being pregnant and providing milk to nourish a hungry litter of pups is hard work and your female dog’s body needs all the help it can get. She will benefit from the extra amino acids that a high protein dog food can provide.
• Working dogs. It is important to remember that not all dogs are pets. Some have important work to do. Dogs that are used for herding cattle or sheep, for hunting or for competing in agility contests need a lot of stamina and strong muscles. To build up strong muscles, they need a lot of protein in their diet.
• Very active dogs. Some pet dogs are very active because of their breed or because of their personality! They have high protein requirements to fuel their active lifestyle.

Best High Protein Dog Food FAQ:

Q:  Why do dogs need protein?

A:  Protein provides the building blocks that your dog needs to grow and repair tissue. The body breaks down protein into amino acids and these are used to build new cells. There are 22 different types of amino acids and food protein has to provide about half of them.

Protein is very important for muscle development and dogs need plenty of healthy muscles for their active lifestyles. Amino acids also play a crucial role in the formation of enzymes and therefore are needed for reproduction and fighting diseases.

Q:  How much protein does a dog need per day?

A:  A dog’s daily protein requirement will vary according to their breed, age, activity and the condition of their health. There is no one figure that suits all dogs. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) states that an adult dog’s diet should consist of at least 18 % protein (dry matter).

When you buy a standard commercial dog food, it will probably have around 25 % protein which is great for most dogs. Dogs who need a high protein diet may need more like 30% or even more. A low protein dog food typically contains less than 20%.

It is important that you speak to your vet to find out how much protein your pooch needs in their diet.

Q:  How can I tell if my food has enough protein?

A:  The main thing you should do is develop the habit of reading pet food labels. Look at the stated minimum crude protein content. For standard dog food, The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) stipulate that this should be at least 18 % on a dry matter basis. If the percentage of protein is less than 18%, you should only feed it to your dog under the direction of a vet.

However, not all proteins are equal! Look out for animal sources of high-quality protein. Chicken, lamb, beef or venison are great. Avoid meat products if possible. Some protein can also be delivered by vegetables and peas are a good source.

Q:  Is the meat meal good for my pet?

A:  There are two different types of meat meal that may appear on the dog food label. If you see ‘Lamb meal’ written, it means that anything from the lamb carcass has been cooked (rendered) and ground up to make a substance that is powdery in consistency and can be added to animal food. However, it will NOT have manure, blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, rumen or stomach contents in it. Many experts believe that this is a highly nutritious and protein-rich ingredient. Some dog owners may find it repulsive and would prefer to avoid it.

However, meat by-product meals are different. Here, just about anything on the carcass is rendered and ground up. This is not considered such a desirable ingredient for dog food and some food manufacturers use the fact that their product contains no by-product meal as a selling point for their product.

Our Top Pick

Orijen FIT & TRIM Dry Dog Food - this high protein food contains at least 42% protein and 16 % carbohydrates as well as plenty of fiber for a healthy digestion. The ingredients list features free-run turkey and chicken and wild-caught fish. The air-dried poultry delivers a concentrated source of protein.

There are no artificial additives or highly processed carbohydrates and it is fortified with minerals and probiotics.

Sources:

1. How Much Protein Does Your Dog Need In Their Diet?, Pets 4 Homes
2. Pet Food (What You Need to Know) for Your Pet's Sake, PetMD