Which Dogs Need Best Low Protein Dog Foods
Healthy dogs should be eating plenty of protein in their diet. The vast majority of dogs should not be on a low protein diet. However dogs with a chronic kidney or liver disease will benefit from reduced levels of protein in their diet. In particular, working dogs should be getting higher levels of protein in their diets. In addition pregnant and nursing dogs should never be given a low protein diet. In fact unless dogs have a particular medical condition, they should stay well clear of low protein dog food.
Low Protein dog foods should be made with good quality whole food ingredients. The more natural the dogs food is, the more digestible it will be. This will allow you dog to absorb more nutrients into the body. It is beneficial to have added omega 3 & 6 fatty acids and the low protein food should also have added antioxidants Vitamin E and Vitamin C. These will assist in reducing free radicals and inflammation in the body and the liver and kidneys thus improving the quality of life.
Why Do Some Dogs Need A Low Protein Diet
Dogs need protein in their diet to provide the building blocks for cells and tissues. But like other nutrients in your dogs diet, several organs play an important role in breaking down proteins so that your dog can utilize them.
The small intestines break down proteins into amino acids. The byproducts of this metabolism then travel to the liver for processing. Finally, the kidneys eliminate nitrogenous waste leftover from protein digestion.
If your dog has chronic kidney failure, his kidneys may not adequately filter nutrients from the blood.
High protein levels can overload the kidneys and prevent them from efficiently removing wastes produced by digestion. This accumulation of byproducts can be problematic.
Hepatitis and reduced liver function can also cause the accumulation of waste products in the blood. But even pups with these health conditions need some protein to support normal body processes.
The recommended minimum protein content for typical dry food is 18%. Low protein diets for dogs without severe health conditions usually have a 20% protein content.
But some prescription diets for dogs with extreme health conditions have even lower protein amounts.
Non-prescription diets with low protein content can help senior dogs at risk of developing kidney or liver problems. These foods reduce stress on the weakened organs of older dogs and may help slow the progression of the disease.
What Percentage Is Low
In most commercial dog foods, particularly those for maintenance of adult dogs, the protein content is 25%.
In contrast, a prescription diet should have a protein content between 18% 23% to be considered low-protein.
However, the quality and ease of digestion of the protein in the food are more important than the quantity of protein
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Q: Does A High Protein Diet Cause Kidney Disease
The issue of protein in a healthy dogs diet is a contentious one. There has been a body of opinion that claimed that a high protein diet could damage the kidneys. It was thought that the canine kidneys became overloaded with toxins as the body struggled to break down all of the protein in the diet. However, that opinion was based on research carried out on laboratory rats and not on dogs. Over time, experts have questioned the validity of the research.
In nature, wild dogs live on a diet that is rich in protein so you would expect a dogs body to be able to cope with this nutrient with no problems. It is now thought that a healthy adult dog can cope with diets that contain up to 30% protein.
It is important to remember that every dog is different. Speak to your vet about the best diet for your own dog given their breed, age, lifestyle and any chronic health conditions that they may have.
Firstmate Weight Control Limited Ingredient Senior Dog Food
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Key Features:
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What Are The Side Effects Of A Low
Never decrease your dog’s protein intake by yourself. While a low protein diet for dogs can be beneficial in certain cases, this dietary change needs to be taken extremely seriously and approached with caution.
Only a veterinarian can recommend your dog this type of diet, and they will give you the necessary advice on how to stick to it, a specific timeline, and even prescribe the appropriate food for your dog.
A low protein diet can have side effects such as losing weight and muscle mass, vitamin deficiency, and malnutrition all of which lead to further health problems .
If you choose to feed your dog a low protein diet on your own, you risk disregarding the other important nutrients which need to be compensated for.
This is why only a vet or canine nutritionist can design a low protein diet for your individual dog.
Low protein diets are also known to weaken a dog’s immune system, cause mood swings, exhaustion, muscle trembling, and melancholy.
These symptoms will be worse in the dogs that dont actually need to be put on a low protein diet.
Liver And Kidney Problems
The liver and kidneys digest proteins, so for dogs with liver or kidney conditions, a low protein diet can help by reducing the stress on these organs.
Reducing phosphorous is also essential in managing kidney and liver disease. Often a cure isnt possible, but the situation can be managed. So this diet is usually permanent.
A dog with liver or kidney failure can still live for a long time. One of the best ways to enable them to live the rest of their lives out is by feeding them a healthy diet and making their surroundings comfortable.
Try out different brands of low-protein dog food until you find the one your dog likes the best. It may enjoy a certain brand for some time before desires a different taste. Luckily there are many options on the market and dog food producers are quite creative with their flavor options.
Before starting your dog on the new diet take note of its weight and measurements. This way you can check every fortnight to see if your dog is putting on or losing weight. Some small weight loss or gain can be expected with any new diet. But you want to make sure the weight change isnt dramatic as it could cause further health issues.
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Best Low Protein Dog Foods Overall: Dr Harveys Canine Health Miracle Dog Food
Our top pick is Dr. Harveys Canine Health Miracle Dog Food. Youre probably used to thinking of dog food in terms of dry kibble or wet food from a can or pouch, but Dr. Harveys is a little different. This food is made from fresh, whole, human-grade foods, including nine vegetables, crushed eggshells, and six organic grains, then its dehydrated to preserve freshness, nutrition, and flavor. When youre ready to serve it to your dog, just add some warm water, let it sit for eight minutes to re-hydrate, then add your preferred source of animal protein, such as fish or eggs, and a healthy oil, such as flax oil, fish oil, or olive oil. Since you add the animal protein yourself, its easy to control the amount of protein in the food and ensure that its from a good quality source.
While this dog food is full of high-quality, nutritious ingredients, there are a few things it doesnt have: preservatives, dyes, chemicals, fillers, by-products, and added salt or sugar. Dr. Harveys also sells various supplements, formulated for specific health concerns, that you can mix in for additional, customized nutrition. Dogs on low protein diets may particularly benefit from the Kidney Health supplement. Even without added supplements, however, Dr. Harveys food is great for kidney health, as well as for digestion, skin and coat health, and energy levels.
Dr. Harveys Canine Health Miracle Dog Food Key Features:
- Fresh, human-grade ingredients
- Turkey and potato flavor
Can Any Dog Eat Low Protein Dog Food
Your veterinarian must recommend changing your pups diet if you feed low-protein dog food.
As a general rule, dogs do very well on high-protein diets because they stay energized all day, but there are some conditions that are likely to result in intolerances or sensitivities or other reasons why your dogs protein intake should be restricted.
You should only feed your dog low-protein foods if he or she has been diagnosed with a condition that calls for it.
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Benefits Of Low Protein Diet
There are numerous benefits of feeding some dogs a low protein diet. Lower protein levels allow the organs involved in metabolism to rest and function optimally. Some pet owners may notice the alleviation of symptoms associated with impaired organ function.
The accumulation of wastes from protein metabolism can lead to other health conditions like encephalopathy.
And excess protein can also lead to the growth of crystals in the urinary tract. A low protein diet can help prevent these disorders and limit toxin production.
Ideas For Low Protein Dog Treats
The words low protein and dog treats seem like they shouldnt go together. While dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat almost anything humans can, they typically need high protein diets to be happy and healthy. The average adult dog requires about 18% of its daily nutrients from protein.
However, sometimes a dog needs to be put on a special low protein diet. A low protein diet is usually only prescribed under certain medical circumstances, such as if the dog has kidney disease, liver disease, or certain kinds of bladder stones.
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Buyers Guide: Selecting The Best Lower Protein Dog Food
There are a few reasons why dogs need a low protein diet, and the different reasons might dictate which option you choose. Thankfully, with the increased awareness that not every dog is the same, there are high-quality options to choose from.
Because different reasons dictate different options, you need to understand why he needs it and what a lower-protein diet is. As well as what a low protein diet means his health and what separates a poor-quality diet from a good one. So, lets take a closer look.
How Much Protein Amount Is Considered As Low
As dogs need protein in their diet to stay healthy, a low-protein diet does not mean the complete absence of proteins.
Dog food that contains a minimum protein content of 18% can be considered a low-protein diet. Foods that have lower protein levels can be dangerous for your pet.
Although some of the products listed above contain higher protein levels than this.
Ingredients have been specifically formulated to care for common health ailments such as kidney disease or digestive issues.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of A Low Protein Diet
Additionally, it can lead to weight gain . This is a significant issue since 59% of dogs in the United States are overweight!
Could possibly be questionable for dogs with acute cases of kidney disease and liver disease, especially if protein quality is low . Therefore, it is important to lower the ratio and increase the size
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Havent found the right Dry food for your BULLDOG yet? Please comment below or contact us, we will have your inquiry resolved asap.
Dr Tims Pursuit Active Dog High Protein Recipe
Rating:
Active Dog is one of 8 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Dr. Tims product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole oat groats, dried beet pulp
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best for:Adult and small or medium breed puppies
- Other recipes: Kinesis All Life Stages, Metabolite Weight Management, Glacier Athletic Blend and others
Dr. Tims Pursuit Active Dog gets the better part of its meat protein from chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis demonstrates the formula contains 33% protein, 22% fat and 36% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
Dr. Tims products are prized by members of the large breed athletic and sporting dog community. A top choice and one thats especially easy for us to recommend.
Sample buyer reviewMy English setter, a Llewelyn has been on Dr. Tims Pursuit dog food since she was a puppy, over ten years ago. She is a very active dog and thrives on this food. She has been very healthy. Her white and spotted fur coat is shiny!! I highly recommend this product.
Rating:
Meadowland is one of 6 dry recipes contained in our review of the Acana product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken liver, turkey giblets , chicken meal
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best for:Adults and puppies
- Other recipes: Red Meat Recipe, Poultry Recipe, Freshwater Fish Recipe and others
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How To Pick Low Protein Dog Foods
This question clicks the mind of many pet owners, especially dog owners. After consulting with vets, low-proteins quickly adopt low-protein dog foods. Taking into consideration, you will likely have other factors as well.
- If your dog is facing some health issues like food allergies.
- If your dog is overweight
- It depends upon the dogs energy level
- Price & Quality
Best Low Protein Dog Foods Reviewed
All of these dog food formulas meet the AAFCO recommended daily nutrient profiles for dogs. Always consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dogs diet.
- First 5 Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Pork Fat, Egg Product, Soybean Meal, Powdered Cellulose
- Key Feature: Low protein prescription diet with specific nutritional liver support
- Guaranteed Analysis: 14.5% Crude Protein, 19.5% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 438 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Low Protein
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Overall
Liver function is the primary reason that dogs may need to transition to a low protein diet. This prescription formula features specific nutritional support targeting liver function.
The controlled 14.5% protein content of this recipe comes from eggs. Eggs are an excellent source of all essential amino acids, providing moderate amounts of high-quality protein.
Damaged livers have a reduced ability to process high amounts of low-quality protein.
This formula also encourages normal fat metabolism in the liver with therapeutic levels of l-carnitine and l-arginine. These amino acids can help prevent the elevation of liver enzyme levels that contribute to liver damage.
Concentrated vitamin and mineral fortification prevents the nutritional deficiencies commonly associated with reduced liver function. Hills unique SOx shield ingredients also help reduce the risk of crystallization in the urinary tract.
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Tips On Choosing A Low Protein Diet
When choosing a low protein kibble, there are certain things that you need to think about in addition to it being a low protein kibble. Here are the main factors to consider:
Quality Over Quantity
- Dogs that need a low protein content should look for quality over quantity when it comes to protein sources. Unless it is a science-based recipe or one recommended by your vet, you should always look for a kibble that lists real meat as the first ingredient. This is a sure-fire sign that it is a high-quality product.
- Meat is an easier protein to digest than plant-based protein, so meat should always come before ingredients such as peas or rice.
- Meats should always be named, and avoid something that says poultry meal or red meat because this doesnt name the protein source. This is particularly important for those with a sensitive digestive system.
Balanced Diet
Phosphorus Content
Is There A Minimum Protein Requirement For Dogs
Dogs typically need about 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day. The best high-quality protein sources for dogs include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Plant-based proteins such as peas, lentils, and beans can also be a good source of protein for dogs, but they may not provide all the essential amino acids that dogs need. So its important to make sure that your dogs diet includes a variety of different protein sources.
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Your Dogs Size Age & Stage Of Life
Older dogs are more prone to the conditions for which low-protein diets are recommended, but canine kidney disease can happen at any stage of life. All the foods on this list are meant for adults or senior dogs, and a low-protein diet is not recommended for puppies. If your puppy has chronic kidney or liver disease, your vet will make a dietary recommendation that will ensure your pup receives the nutrients he needs to ensure good brain development.