A guide to the best protein sources for dogs

Protein should be part of a dog’s well-balanced diet because it, along with other minerals and vitamins, is necessary to both build and maintain the tissue that helps carry out a dog’s biological reactions¹ and to sustain joint health. Dogs have also evolved to turn to proteins and fats in particular as primary energy sources.

Short answer? Not exactly. The best protein for your dog will be one your dog isn’t allergic to, one your dog enjoys eating, and one that’s high in quality — or bioavailability.

When you’re shopping for commercial dog food, look for products that meet the standards recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which currently lists protein standards for dogs are 22.5% for growth and reproduction and 18% for adult maintenance.

But exactly how much protein your dog needs varies depending on your dog’s breed, weight, health conditions, and activity level. For example, active or athletic dogs with kidney disease may need less protein than those without the condition. You’ll find that the average diet for an adult dog contains 25-30% crude protein on a sample food label, but a diet curated for dogs with renal disease may contain closer to 15% crude protein.

Protein and sensitive stomachs

Not all dogs will digest all proteins equally, and just like humans, some may be sensitive to certain protein sources and food ingredients. If Fido has a sensitive stomach, your vet may recommend switching from a chicken-based diet to a diet with more beef or fish.

Pets that don’t receive enough protein can potentially experience health problems² like weight loss, weakness, muscle loss, poor digestion and a build-up of flood in their chest and abdomen. Dogs with insulin resistance or diabetes³ in particular can benefit from high-protein, low-carb foods.

When deciding on the amount of protein and which sources to include in your dog’s diet, remember to consult your veterinarian.

Can a dog have too much protein?

Extra protein in a healthy pet is unlikely to be harmful², because it will probably just be broken down in the body. Historically, excess protein has, however, been linked to kidney failure in dogs, but there’s some misunderstanding behind that, experts say⁴.

When a kidney fails, it allows a byproduct of protein metabolism called urea to build up in the blood and make Fido ill. Decreasing protein in the diet can decrease that mechanism of urea build-up, yes, but if protein is too low, this can cause even more harm to your pup.

Researchers continue to debate whether dogs with kidney disease should limit protein intake, but the one consensus is this: Choose proteins with the highest quality that produce fewer waste products, such as eggs, milk, meats, soybean, and grains.

Dogs with insulin resistance or diabetes³ in particular can benefit from high-protein, low-carb foods, as well as senior dogs that need a little more help maintaining their ideal body conditions.

Other instances where a high-protein diet can prove especially beneficial: if Fido needs some help managing weight gain, if your pup is an athlete, or if your fur friend is gestating and lactating.

A high-protein diet is unlikely to be harmful to a healthy dog, but before making any adjustments to your dog’s food, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

There are several types of prime protein sources out there, such as animal-sourced proteins, vegetable proteins, legume proteins, and grain proteins, but veterinarians will tell you that the source of any nutrition component isn’t as important as its quality and digestibility¹.

A protein’s digestibility is often referred to as its bioavailability or its biological value. Though animal-based proteins are considered among the most naturally bioavailable to dogs, their digestibility can change based on how the food has been cooked or processed. The best quality proteins will have the highest amounts of essential amino acids — or building blocks of protein — that the animal body can’t create on its own.

When it comes to assessing bioavailability in protein formulas for pets, researchers take a few things into consideration³:

• Is the protein source animal-based or plant-based? Animal-based proteins are generally the most naturally bioavailable to dogs, but with the appropriate supplements, some dogs can adapt to vegan or vegetarian diets. Always consult your vet if you’re trying to feed your dog such a diet as dogs are naturally omnivorous.
• What is the source organism? For example, if it’s an animal-based protein, does it derive from a fish like salmon? Does it derive from beef or lamb? If it’s a plant-based protein source, does it derive from corn or something else? Some protein source organisms, such as whole eggs or salmon, may have higher bioavailability depending on their processing.
• What parts of the organism will be included? Plant part or whole? Skeletal muscle or organ meat?
• How will the protein be added? Will it be raw, frozen, fresh, or processed? The more highly processed at extreme temperatures³, for example, the lower its biological value.

All of the above may help researchers determine the nutrient composition, ingredient handling, manufacturing and ultimately, the quality of bioavailability of the protein.

Chicken. Chicken is one of the most common protein sources found in dog food—and the third most common dog food allergen after beef and dairy products, affecting approximately 15% of dogs. In general, chicken is a great source of protein, especially for pups with sensitive stomachs.

Turkey. Another protein source you might find in commercial dog food is turkey, but that doesn’t mean you should feed Fido scraps of your Thanksgiving dinner!

Beef. Although about 34% of dogs are allergic to beef and beef by-products, the protein source is wildly popular when it comes to commercial dog foods. Novel proteins like venison also fit into this category.

Fish. Fish is a healthy protein for pups and is often included in dog food as an alternative protein source for pets allergic to chicken and beef. High in omega-3 fatty acids, fish like salmon and tilapia, among others, can help decrease inflammation. Only about 2% of dogs are allergic to fish, but when trying out Fido’s tolerance to any particular fish, start with a small amount.

Rabbit. Naturally high in protein, rabbit is another novel protein source available in some pet foods that your doggie could love.

Lamb. For dogs with chicken and beef allergies, lamb is considered a recommended replacement protein source. It’s another great pick for pups with sensitive tummies or food allergies. Approximately 5% of dogs are allergic to lamb and lamb by-products.

Pork. Pork is often found in commercial dog food, and it contains more calories per pound⁴ than other common protein sources. Some veterinarians urge pet parents to be cautious about how much their pup is getting from this protein source, because the meat contains a type of fat they say is more difficult to digest compared to other meats. Thus, consumption can lead to indigestion and inflammation of the pancreas. Approximately 2% of dogs are allergic to pork.

Plant-based proteins. Dogs have evolved to be able to adapt to more complex diets than their carnivorous wolffian predecessors, and there are plenty of vet-approved plant-based options out there when it comes to commercial dog food, too. Without the proper supplements, however, it’s possible that a dog on such a diet can experience protein or vitamin deficiency.

Eggs. Egg protein has the highest biological value for dogs and is another ingredient you may find in some premium pet foods. On their own, eggs are high in protein, fatty acids and vitamins, though overconsumption can lead to obesity. Approximately 4% of dogs are allergic to eggs.

A good general rule of thumb¹ when it comes to dog food: Consult your vet and seek out the highest-quality dog food you can comfortably afford. And when it comes to puppies, introduce them to a variety of protein sources to help reduce allergy risk.

High-quality foods tend to provide a full spectrum of essential amino acids. That means the protein makeup of your dog’s food will most likely be a combination of multiple protein sources. Foods considered lower-quality might contain highly-processed animal proteins. Through extensive processing such as cooking with extensive pressure or temperature, it’s likely the effectiveness of the amino acids in these protein sources have been altered.

Dog foods that contain wheat, corn or soy are generally good sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and other nutrients for the average dog, but if heavily processed, they, too, may contain fewer effective amino acids.

For dogs who love fish — Chippin Pet Silver Carp is a nutritious, recommended food source with fresh silver carp spruced directly from fishermen in the United States.

For picky eaters that prefer chicken — The Purina Pro Plan with Probiotics Shredded Blend is made with a blend of essential nutrients and real chicken and is continuously backed by nutritionists and veterinarians.

For hypoallergenic dogs with a vegan diet — The Purina Pro Plan HA is one of our only recommended vegetarian blends, and it’s especially recommended for picky pups.

For hypoallergenic dogs that enjoy venison — Hill’s Prescription Diet uses venison as its essential protein source and vets recommend this formula to help clear up stomach issues and skin/coat conditions in pups.

What about dog foods with “by-products”?

When dog food labels list “by-product” ingredients, it doesn’t necessarily mean the ingredients or parts of the animal used in the food are inferior in quality, safety, or nutrition.

Start with the product name

The name hints at the ingredients in the container and is actually more influential than you think. For example, if the product says “chicken for dogs,” the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) states the product must include at least 95% of chicken — and must be at least 70% of the total product when counting for added water. This is called the 95% rule.

The 25% rule refers to products named something like “beef dinner for dogs” and means that beef must comprise at least 25% but less than 95% of the product.

If your dog food label says dinner “with beef” or “with” another ingredient, that ingredient only needs to be at least 3% of the whole product. This is called the “with” rule.

And lastly, there’s the flavor rule. If your dog food product says “chicken flavor dog food” then there’s no specific percentage of the product required, but according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the product “must contain an amount sufficient to be able to be detected.”

In general, if your dog is eating food that has undergone feeding trials or is approved by AAFCO guidelines, it’s likely that your pet is getting enough protein. Your dog food label can be confusing to read, but understanding it can help you make the best choice for your pup. Here are some quick tips from the American Kennel Club:

See what the quantity tells you — Understanding how much food is actually in your container can help you do a cost comparison when shopping.

Pay attention to protein, fat, fiber and water amounts — You can find this under the guaranteed analysis. Here, dog food labels will display the percentage of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and water.

Pet food ingredients are typically listed by order of weight — You can find your dog food’s primary sources of protein by looking for the first 6 ingredients listed on the package.

Look out for the fine print — Among the fine print on the side or back of your package, you’ll find the nutritional adequacy statement that tells you which life stage is most appropriate for the product. The AAFCO recognizes the following stages: gestation/lactation, growth, maintenance, and all life stages.

Don’t gloss over the feeding guidelines, but always consult your vet first — These aren’t hard or fast rules.