In this blog post, we will learn about how much protein is in dog food. Protein plays an important role in the formation of ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. The protein in dog food is made and maintains the skin, nails, muscles, hair, and blood formation.
The 8% to 18% protein is good in dog food and it is a moderate amount which varies from the age and lifestyle of the dog. Further in this blog post, we will discuss the amount of protein, different sources of protein, benefits, formulas for measuring the quality of protein, and more.
What Is In Dog Protein Food
According to the FDA, all pet food is good and safe for all animals and they can eat it. The ingredients and nutrients of dog foods are the same as human food. Dogs can eat human protein food like protein chocolate, protein beans, protein pancakes, etc. But humans cannot eat dog protein food.
When protein is broken, it creates a chain of amino acids, which is essential for dog nutrients. The dog needs more than 10 amino acids daily to live a healthy life. These amino acids are produced in the body, they can be taken by the protein diet.
There are some protein dog foods such as Chicken Soup, Filet mignon, Prime rib, and Steak fries, which are good flavor foods for your dog. Your dog can get this food as a protein.
How Much Protein Is In Dog Food
The amount of protein dog food in your dog’s diet depends on the age and lifestyle of your dog. As you know dogs get energy from carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein. But protein makes 30 to 35 % metabolizable energy which they need.
According to one study, the dog can take 8% to 18% protein daily. This is beneficial for your dog and does not cause any side effects because this is a moderate amount of protein.
In simple words, 8 to 19 grams of protein should be in one cup. The medium size dogs can take 2 cups of protein food in a day and the large size dogs can eat 3 cups of protein food in a day.
According to Buzz Feed News, your dog can eat protein food at to 29%. And can eat dry food that contains 60 grams of protein. They also said that the excessive amount of protein causes strain in the kidneys, bones, and liver.
Remember, give a moderate amount of UK Pet Food, because it contains a high sodium level. The good thing about dogs is they can digest both dry and wet dog protein food.
Amount of Protein Should Your Dog Eat
We divide the amount of protein needed for your dog by the difference in their age.
1. Puppies or Pregnant Dogs: They need a minimum of 23% crude protein.
2. Adult dogs: They need a minimum of 18% crude protein.
3. Senior Dogs: They need a minimum of 28% crude protein.
Protein Source In Dog Food
There are two main sources of protein in dog food. One is an animal-based source which is very good and contains a large amount of essential amino acids and it helps your dog to fulfill their daily protein intake. The second is a plant-based source which is not easily digestible for dogs because it contains plant fiber.
1. Animal-Based Protein Source For Dogs
Meat is one of the most important animal protein sources. Your dog can take this source in excessive amounts. It has no side effects. Chicken is also one of the most critical protein sources. It contains all essential amino acids and low fats.
Here is some animal-based protein-source food for your dog:
- White Fish.
- Salmon Fish.
- Tuna Fish.
- Beef.
- Egg.
- Lamb.
- Turkey.
- Duck.
- Pork.
- Venison.
- Rabbit.
- Bison.
Your dog can eat these foods without cooking, but my recommendation is to give this protein food to your dog in cooked form.
2. Plant-Based Protein Source For Dogs
Normally, plant-based proteins are included in the dog food source. It is good for those dogs, that have allergies to animal-based protein. The dogs are omnivores, so this means they are vegetarian. They can eat Plant-based protein but in low amounts. Excessive amounts cause problems in digestion.
Here are some common Plant-based proteins are given below:
- Peas.
- Lentils.
- Buckwheat.
- Soy.
- Potato.
- Rice.
- Quinoa.
- Barley.
- Chickpeas.
- Oats.
Formula Of Measuring Quality Of Protein
If you want to measure the quality of protein then firstly you should know about the protein quality.
Quality Of Protein
The quality of protein is defined as how much source of protein is converted into the important amino acid and these amino acids can be used by the tissue cells of the body. It depends on three things:
- How many amino acids are in the dog food?
- Type Protein source.
- Availability.
Formula
There are many methods to measure the quality of protein in any dog food but one of the best methods you can use is given below:
|
Measurement= | The Mass of Nitrogen in the Body/ | ||
| The Mass of Nitrogen present in protein in the food | *100 |
How much protein is in dog food per 100 grams? You can measure this by using the above formula. Put the value of 100 grams of protein in the formula and get your answer.
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Certain Proteins?
No, dogs are not allergic to certain proteins. They can get allergies from the environment but don’t get allergies to eating protein. Protein is good for the skin and doesn’t cause allergies.
When you see those dogs that suffer from ear and skin issues, the main causes of these diseases are seasonal allergies or environmental issues. You should not be afraid of protein.
Benefits Of Protein For Dogs
Some benefits of Protein for dogs to use in their diet are given below:
- Protein boosts the coat and skin health of dogs.
- It also promotes muscle development and growth.
- It supports the immunity of dogs.
- It provides energy to your dog.
- It helps in the weight management of your dog.
When your dog eat protein food, after a short time digestion process starts, during digestion, as we discussed above the protein break and is converted into a chain of amino acids. These amino acids perform many functions in a dog’s body and power all functions from digestive health to the bladder.
In this process, more than 20 amino acids are involved, some are essential and some are non-essential. The 10 amino acids are taken by the protein food. These are produced by the body of a dog and the names of these 10 amino acids are Arginine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Methionine, Tryptophan, Lysine, and Valine.
Signs Of Protein Deficiency In Your Dogs
Typically, there is no protein deficiency in dogs. Those dogs have a deficiency of protein and suffer from chronic medical diseases. Here are some signs of protein deficiency in your dogs:
- The dog reduced growth.
- Without any problem, they lose their weight.
- Muscle loss is also a sign.
- Weakness
- The digestion of your dog is poor.
- Abdomen, Lethargy.
- Brittle and dull coat, etc.
Conclusion
In the end, we conclude the article on how much protein is in dog food. The average protein intake of dogs per day is 8 to 18 grams of one cup. Above we discuss the two sources of protein food. My suggestion is to use animal-based protein because it is beneficial for your dog and doesn’t cause any digestive problems. Thanks for reading!
