Types Of Protein For Dogs

Let’s start with proteins and the many functions they perform in the body. The first function is to provide amino acids, which work towards building hair, cartilage, tendons, muscle, ligaments, skin and nails. Hormones are also dependent on protein. Proteins provide energy also but that is not its primary purpose and the body needs other sources of energy like fats and carbohydrates that are more efficient to producing energy
Proteins that provide the proper balance of amino acids compared to the dogs needs are called high quality proteins.

High quality protein sources can by supplied by either plant or animal sources. Plant based proteins usually only contain some of the essential amino acids while quality animal sources contain all the essential amino acids. Animal based protein sources are beef, fish, egg, lamb and chicken. Dogs are mainly carnivores and need the animal proteins to get their nutritional requirements. Cats are pure carnivores but dogs are able to eat both animal and plant based foods. The enlarged canine teeth and body structure of dogs are ideal for eating pray and their intestinal tract will not digest large amounts of plant products.

In choosing a food for your dog you will want to stay with chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, eggs and fish as the primary proteins and if you are making your own food make sure and use the cooking broth to wet the food. Do not let red meat be the sole source of protein because it is very high in fat. Try to add fresh cooked or canned fish to your dogs diet for healthy protein that is rich in omega oils and helps improve the skin and coat. Also add eggs and cheese to your dog food but they are both high in fat and should not be used everyday.


These are guides to use when feeding you dog. You should buy a quality dog food from a reputable producer and then just supplement the food for extra protein.

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Dog Nutrition: Dietary Fats

Fats are an important part of a dogs diet and should not be considered bad. Faats have a much higher conversion of energy per weight than either protein or carbohydrates. Dogs do not get hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) like humans do and where as they can get high cholesterol it is caused by other factors than high fat intake. Fats provide energy for the dogs body processes and assists in maintaining health skin and coat.

There are many sources of fat that can be utilized effectively by dogs and include, lard, tallow, poultry fat, cottonseed oil, and hydrogenated vegetable oils. Fats to stay away from in pet foods are: fish oil, and hydrogenated coconut oil. AAFCO dog nutritional profiles are available online for you to check with.

Most dog foods contain more than the required amount of fat because the fats are a good source of energy and they increase palatability of the food. The most prevalent problem related to fat is over consumption and obesity. The problem with obesity is many fold but suffice it to say a dog that is obese will have many more physical problems and a shortened life span.

Diets that are low in fats and high in fiber are used regularly in weight loss control foods. Many times dogs on this type of diets have dull coats and dry skin. One option to correct this is to feed the dog a concentrated fatty acid supplement that is low in calories compared to the essential and beneficial fatty acids that is provides. Also read the dog food nutrition label for guidance.

Remember, feeding your dog is just like every thing else. Use common sense and keep every thing in moderation. Control your dogs weight by watching and weighing him and adjust the amount of food according to his ability to maintain his weight at that volume of food. Also use a maximum nutrition dog food and watch his coat and skin for good health.

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Dog Food Nutrition: How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Dog nutrition requirements will give you some guidelines on how much to feed your dog and using a maximum nutrition dog food will get the most energy per pound but it still does not answer the question of how much I need to feed my dog?
This is one of the most confusing questions a dog owner has to deal with. The problem is that there is not a good answer. There are to many individual variables to be considered for each dog to set a quantity that each dog of a specific size should be fed.
The best answer is to start with the recommendation on the food bag and adjust quantities to fit the animal. If possible it is a good idea to weigh your dog once a month to monitor his weight and adjust his feeding accordingly. One word of warning, do not feed your pet an inferior dog food. Most are full of fillers, which have little or no nutritional value and can cause physical and mental problems for your dog.
If you are like the majority of pet owners you should keep in mind that most dogs are overfed and do not get enough exercise to wear the extra food off. Overweight dogs have even more physical problems then underfed dogs, so you do not do your dog a favor in either case.
Your dogs annual visit to the vet is a good opportunity to monitor how well your dog is responding to your feeding program because a good vet will take into account not only weight but muscle tone and coat quality which are very important also in analyzing your dogs overall health.
Nutrition facts for dogs and AAFC dog food nutrition guidelines can give you black and white answers on nutrition but if you are overfeeding you dog he will get fat and unhealthy. It is an ongoing process to monitor your dog for the proper amount to feed him but it is one of the most important jobs for his health!
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High Protein Dog Food: What Is The Right Amount For My Dog?

For as long as dogs and before that wolves have been around they have always eaten a diet high in protein and fairly high in fats with a few carbohydrates thrown in. Cats have eaten an even higher protein diets but no carbohydrates. When dog food manufacturers started making dog food they just used any type and quality of protein without concern for taste and digestibility. Now days, the manufacturers pay great attention not only to protein but to its sources and the animals ability to break the protein down into amino acids necessary to sustain the health of the animal.

Eggs, fishmeal and milk are proteins that are the best for dogs. Beef and soybean meal is further down the list and Meat and bone meal and wheat and corn are fairly low. High quality proteins are the most expensive ingredients in the dog food. Lower quality protein sources are cheaper and used as fillers.

Protein requirements change with age and between species but there are some general things to keep in mind. Pregnant and lactating dogs usually need to be fed puppy chow to increase their protein amounts. Sick and unhealthy dogs may also need extra protein. Dogs with kidney disease may need to be on a protein-restricted diet.

Most dog owners buy a good quality food from a reputable company and hope that their dog is getting the protein he needs and in most cases this works fine.

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