We all know that protein is important for our pups. But how much protein does a dog need in their diet? Today, we’re exploring exactly that. We’ll also look at how to tell how much protein is in dog food, and what the best sources of this nutrient are.
Why dogs need protein
Just as protein is a key part of our diet, it’s vital for your canine companion’s health too. When your pooch consumes protein, their body breaks it down into amino acids. You can think of these as the building blocks of protein, and they’re crucial for a number of bodily processes. Our dogs require twenty-two different amino acids for their bodies to function properly. Ten of these are essential amino acids, which means the body can’t produce them on its own. Instead, your pup must get them through their diet.
Most protein sources don’t contain all ten essential amino acids. As such, your pet needs to eat more than one type of protein to stay happy and healthy. This is one reason why the question ‘How much protein does a dog need?’ is too simple. Quality is more important than quantity.
Amino acids play crucial roles in nearly every aspect of your mutt’s wellbeing. They help to build and repair muscles, ensuring your pup has the strength and stamina for long walks and chasing tennis balls! And it’s not only muscles. Amino acids are necessary for the growth and repair of bone, fur, claws, skin and other organs. In fact, your pet’s coat is almost entirely made from a type of protein called keratin. Consuming sufficient amino acids is therefore important for keeping their hair soft and shiny.
Dogs need protein to support their immune system too, as it helps create antibodies to fight off illnesses and infections. Protein even contributes to the production of hormones and enzymes, which regulate many metabolic processes and other bodily functions. Finally, pups can also use it as a source of energy.
Factors that affect how much protein a dog needs
So, how much protein does a dog need to eat to make sure they have enough for all these processes? The exact amount depends on several factors. For instance, your mutt’s protein requirements will change more than once over the course of their life. Puppies need to consume a larger proportion of protein than adult dogs to support their rapid growth and development. And senior pooches also require more protein to help them maintain muscle mass as they get older.
Breed and activity level can make a difference to your pet’s protein requirements too. Working dogs and those who are very energetic (we’re looking at you, huskies!) need more protein than sedentary pups. This is because intense physical exercise causes more wear and tear on their muscles. Their muscle proteins are broken and repaired at a faster rate, so they have to consume more amino acids.
Another factor to consider when asking ‘How much protein does my dog need?’ is their health condition. Certain medical issues may require them to have a higher or lower amount of the nutrient in their meals. As an example, animals with kidney disease or liver disease might need to go on a low-protein diet. This is to reduce the workload on those organs, as they both metabolise proteins. However, you should only decrease your pup’s protein intake under the supervision and guidance of a vet.
Conversely, if your pooch is obese, they may benefit from a high-protein diet. This can allow them to feel full even when eating fewer calories, and lose fat while preserving their muscle mass.(1) Again, however, consult with a vet first for personalised advice on how to help your dog lose weight.
How much protein should a dog have daily?
There are two ways to think about how much protein a dog needs. The first is in grams, and the second is as a percentage of their calorie intake. For example, some people say adult dogs should eat one gram of protein per pound of their ideal body weight. However, going by percentages is often easier because it’s how you can check how much protein is in dog food.
In terms of percentage, how much protein does a dog need at each life stage? Assuming your pup is healthy, experts recommend the following as a general guideline:
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Puppies: 22-25%
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Adult dogs: 18-25%
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Active/working adult dogs: 25-30%
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Senior dogs: 25-28%
It’s not the case that more protein is always better, and it’s unlikely your pet should be eating over 30% protein in their meals. Every animal is unique though, so ask your vet if you have questions about how much protein your dog needs.
How much protein is in dog food?
It’s a legal requirement for dog food companies to show the protein percentage of their products on the label. However, that doesn’t mean that working out which option to feed your pooch is as easy as checking that number.
The figure given on pet food labels is ‘crude protein’, which refers to the measurement method used. A laboratory determines the amount of crude protein by measuring the nitrogen content of the food. The problem is that this doesn’t give you any information about the quality or nutritional value of the protein. Two foods could have identical crude protein percentages but offer varying amounts of different amino acids. Likewise, some protein sources are easier for your mutt to digest than others. This will affect how well they absorb the nutrients from them. We’ll talk more about how to identify high-quality sources of protein below.
Another factor to think about is the difference between wet and dry dog food. Because wet food has more moisture, the percentage of protein it contains is normally lower than that of dry food. The only way to compare the two fairly is via what’s called ‘dry matter analysis’. This is where you subtract the water content of the food and work out the protein content as a percentage of what’s left (the dry matter).(2)
Finally, the quantity of food you feed your pup is also important. Food A might have a lower percentage of protein than Food B. However, if the serving size is bigger, your pet may still consume more grams of protein when eating it.
The bottom line? You need to consider more than the percentage of crude protein when assessing how much protein is in dog food.
How to choose high-quality protein sources
Not all protein is equal when it comes to health benefits for your pup. Good-quality protein is rich in a variety of amino acids and easy for your pet to digest. Ideally, you want to feed your mutt a selection of different high-quality proteins. That way, they should obtain all the essential amino acids and be able to absorb and use them. But how do you know what counts as a decent source of protein?
Conveniently, good sources of protein tend to be ones that we recognise. This includes fish and meat like chicken, lamb and beef, plus animal products like eggs. Dogs can also consume plant sources of protein like wheat, pulses, grains, soy, and vegetables such as peas. Foods that offer a wide selection of these ingredients are most likely to provide all the essential amino acids your pooch needs.
Conversely, inferior sources of protein are those with vague names like ‘meat derivatives’ or ‘animal byproducts’. You also want to avoid relying on poorer plant sources of protein, such as refined grains and starchy vegetables.
When checking how much protein is in dog food, remember that the position in the ingredients list matters too. You want these named animal proteins to be listed first, because that means there’s more of them in the food.
If you need to switch dog foods because your current brand doesn’t offer high-quality protein, do so slowly. An abrupt change in diet can cause tummy troubles in our canine companions. Instead, mix the old and new foods together, gradually increasing the proportion of new food over seven to ten days.
Signs of protein deficiency and excessive protein intake in dogs
That covers how much protein a dog needs. But how do you know if your pooch is getting enough or if they’re eating too much of the nutrient?
Some of the signs that your pet isn’t taking in enough protein include:
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Dry skin
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Dull fur
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Hair loss
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Lethargy and weakness
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Weight loss
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Muscle loss
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Vomiting and diarrhoea
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Bloating
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A weak immune system
There are also certain health conditions, such as protein-losing enteropathy, that cause protein deficiency. As such, it’s important to take your pet to the vet if you notice any of the symptoms above. They’ll be able to determine whether you need to boost your pup’s protein intake, or if other treatment is required. In most cases, protein supplements aren’t necessary. It should be possible for your furry friend to get all the amino acids they require in their diet.
Excessive protein intake can be just as dangerous as insufficient protein intake. Signs that your pooch might be consuming too much protein include:
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Increased thirst and urination from kidney strain
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Lethargy
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Weight gain
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Digestive troubles
Ingesting too much protein could also cause inflammation, nutrient imbalances, and issues with bone growth. Processing the excess protein may put more strain on the liver too. Again, if you spot any of these symptoms in your pooch, take them to the vet straight away.
Can dogs be allergic to protein?
Named animal products like chicken and beef are high-quality sources of protein for your pup. However, they’re also among the most common canine food allergens.(3) Signs that your mutt may be allergic to one of these ingredients include:
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Itchiness
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Red or irritated skin
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Excessive licking and scratching
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Bald patches
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Ear infections
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Diarrhoea
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Vomiting
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Flatulence
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Restlessness
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Lethargy
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Abdominal pain
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Changes in appetite or weight loss
It’s possible for dogs to develop an allergy to foods even after they’ve been eating them for years. As such, they can arise at any time. Switching to a novel protein source (i.e. one they haven’t eaten before) is often enough to solve the issue. Alternatively, your vet might prescribe a hypoallergenic food or a hydrolysed protein food for your pet. Once you’ve identified the specific type of protein that they’re allergic to, you can create a diet that avoids it.
How much protein does a dog need if they’re allergic to certain sources? The same amount. You just have to ensure they’re getting it from ingredients they can eat without experiencing any symptoms.
Boosie functional foods for an extra wellness boost
Here at Boosie, we offer a range of plant-based functional foods specifically designed to support your furry friend’s wellbeing. For example, our organic milk thistle powder contains an active compound called silymarin that helps look after liver health. Meanwhile, medicinal mushrooms like reishi and lion’s mane support the immune system and gut health. And all three of these are between 18 and 25% protein, so can help ensure your pooch gets some extra amino acids in their diet too!
Functional foods are for grown-up pets only, and not suitable for those who are pregnant or lactating. We recommend consulting a vet before adding them to your pooch’s diet, to check that they’re appropriate for their needs.
So… how much protein does my dog need?
To sum up, if your pup is healthy, they’ll probably need to be eating meals that are between 18-30% protein. Sedentary adult mutts are on the lower end of this scale, while active dogs, puppies, and senior pooches are on the higher end. However, don’t forget that ‘How much protein does a dog need?’ is not the most important question. Instead, ask yourself what the best quality sources of protein are. You want to feed your pet a mixture of top-notch animal and plant protein sources like meat, fish, and legumes. This should ensure they get all the amino acids they require to stay fit and well.
