Protein is an integral part of your dog’s balanced diet. It provides essential building blocks for hair formation and growth, muscle repair and the production of hormones and enzymes to keep his immune system strong.
Protein can come from both meat and plants; the best option will be something your dog isn’t allergic to and can digest well.
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Protein Sources
Domestic dogs’ jaws and digestive tracts make them primary carnivores. High quality animal-source proteins like chicken, lamb and beef offer essential amino acids needed to support muscle growth, healthy coats, strong teeth and bones and immune function – essential elements necessary for muscle expansion, healthy coats, healthy coats and immunity function.
Named meat meals (usually created through high heat processing to concentrate the protein source) are also a staple ingredient of commercial pet food products, providing high levels of protein with less moisture content than fresh meats. Pork is another common meat source; however some veterinarians caution that its consumption can lead to gastrointestinal distress as it contains more calories.
Some dog foods use novel proteins like rabbit or venison to promote immunity, skin health and weight management in pets with allergies to traditional meat sources. Be wary that too much protein doesn’t add additional nutritional value – instead it may lead to weight gain, excess water retention and yellow urine stains! For optimal results it is best to feed your pet a complete and balanced diet consisting of both animal- and plant-sourced sources of protein.
Amino Acids
Dogs and cats require protein for growth, weight maintenance and tissue repair. But more than just protein itself is important; what they’re composed of – amino acids are what create protein structures; each has their own amino acid profile with each serving a special function in a protein’s makeup.
Your body can make many of the essential amino acids it requires; however, 10 specific ones (arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine threonine and valine) need to come from diet alone – these essential amino acids.
Your pet should get the maximum benefit from their protein diet by feeding complete proteins that include all essential amino acids. Furthermore, digestibility must also be considered; how well your pet’s digestive tract can break it down and absorb its contents is equally as important.
Weight Management
Protein helps your dog maintain an efficient metabolism and immune system, as well as building muscle tissue, improving skin and hair growth, and producing body chemicals such as hormones and enzymes.
Dogs rely on animal-derived proteins for essential amino acids that they need for health and wellbeing. Their carnassial teeth and digestive tract have evolved specifically for hunting prey rather than plants; for this reason they require high-quality digestible proteins from animal sources in their diet in order to stay healthy.
The best weight management dog foods include low-fat meats and plenty of veggies high in protein but low in calories; many freeze-dried diets even feature fruits and mushrooms for flavor! While protein may help your pup feel satisfied, too much may lead to weight gain and put too much strain on his kidneys – as such it should be balanced out with carbohydrates and fat in his diet.
Pregnancy
Pregnant dogs need high protein diets in order to meet both their own and the fetuses’ increased nutritional demands during gestation. Dogs that do not get sufficient nutrients during gestation may develop gestational obesity, difficult or prolonged labor, abnormal fetal development and even “fading puppy syndrome”, whereby puppies lose their coats as soon as they emerge.
Provide your pregnant dog with fresh muscle meats such as chicken wings and thighs, organ meats, venison and vegetables for optimal nutrition during their gestation period. In addition, add yogurt or kefir daily to boost calcium and probiotic levels in her system.
Vitamins C, D and folate are also vitally important to pregnant dogs. While vitamin D assists with calcium absorption, folate prevents multiple birth defects. Dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and liver are excellent sources of folate while salmon, canned mackerel and sardines provide essential omega-3 fatty acids which promote healthy pregnancies.
