If you are like me, you have noticed two things about dog food commercials. One, they all claim to provide complete, balanced nutrition for your dog. Two, they always tell you how rich in protein they are. Some dog foods are up to 30% or more of protein nowadays.
First, let’s be real. How can a bag of dog food be complete, balanced nutrition for every dog on the planet. They are all different with different nutritional needs. That would be like saying all humans could eat the same diet and stay healthy.
And then there’s the protein claim. When you watch those commercials, you start to believe protein (and a lot of it!) is the most important thing for your dog. But that is also not true. Some dog’s need a lot less protein due to health issues. Others need more. Plus, how do you know that food really has that much protein in it?
We asked Dr. Kathryn Primm, DVM, author, owner and head veterinarian at Applebrook Animal Hospital in Tennessee, to answer our questions on what YOU need to know about protein and your dog.
How important is protein for your dog?
Protein in an extremely important part of a dog’s diet. The key is…how do you tell how much protein is in a pet food? Labels are misleading.
In my blog, I write about misleading food labels. How do I know what’s really in a food? I read research papers. I pick brands that have actual people willing to talk to me about their products. I find people who have more knowledge on the subject than I do and I talk to them and attend their classes. Then I pass my education on. (read the full blog here).
What does the protein do for a dog’s health?
Proteins provide amino acids which are the building blocks for cells. They are incorporated into most of the body functions from healing to growth, even thought and mood.
Too much protein can be bad, correct?
Too much of anything can be bad and some disease processes make excessive protein intake really bad. Our bodies have fail safes to eliminate excesses but why would we create a difficult situation by choice?
Same with too little protein?
Too little protein can also really affect the fluid balance in the body. For example, liver failure (the liver is responsible for production of proteins used by the blood) can cause a decrease in protein levels in the blood which allows fluids to escape from the circulatory system and cause ascites (abdominal fluid distension). You know the footage that we see of starving children in other countries that have swollen bellies? One reason for that is that they are not getting enough protein because they are starving and their bodies are not able to maintain the fluids inside the blood stream and it leaks out in the abdominal space. This can happen with any animal.
So how do you know how much your dog should be getting?
There have been established numbers for percent of protein and if I remember correctly, it varies by stage of life, etc. I think that the last I heard, the diet should be made up of a minimum of 20%, but again….labels can mislead. The harder questions is how you know your dog is getting that much protein.
Will the amount my dog needs change as he ages?
Yes, this is a good question for your vet. He or she knows your dog and has specific guidelines for her. Older pets might have kidney or liver issues which can directly affect the protein requirements.
Can dogs really get the protein they need from dry kibble?
I have had many patients that never eat anything but dry kibble and live long healthy lives. I always recommend choosing a diet that I personally have reviewed the R&D on. I never pick brands that are advertised on big budgets because I think that too much of the R&D budget is clearly being wasted on national TV ad campaigns. I know that it sounds self -serving, but if a diet must market itself for sale in a vet office, it means that the primary consumer is an educated one and the manufacturer must be more careful about what they offer.
About the Author
Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She is the founder of A Fairytail House, a unique all-positive all-sport dog training facility that helps rescue dogs in her area and provides free seminars and training classes for the community. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.
