Dogs are now considered omnivorous animals, but they still need a good percentage of protein to stay healthy.
They require a significantly greater amount of protein in their diets compared to us, and only the most suitable proteins for their consumption should be chosen.
Proteins are valuable sources of essential amino acids, crucial for the process of cell production.
If their diet is low in protein, dogs can develop a range of health problems.
Additionally, they will be less lively, have dull and sparse coats, and their immune system will be weakened.
What are the best proteins for dogs?
The best protein sources for dogs are:
Eggs: Eggs are an excellent source of protein, and are even included in some dog food formulas and not just in homemade diets. Moreover, eggs are a better source of protein compared to meat, as a dog can extract more protein if they are cooked. But of course, they should be given in moderate amounts.
Fish: Fish is also an excellent source of protein for dogs. Salmon is usually the best choice as it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. You can also offer your dog fresh and raw sardines or anchovies.
Meat: Real meat is the most natural protein source a dog can consume; it's what their digestive system was originally designed to eat, as demonstrated by their wild ancestors. Choose high-quality meat, or a dry food that clearly contains real meat, and not meat meal or other low-quality by-products.
Cheese: Cheese is a very valid protein source for dogs. Unfortunately, it is very high in fat, except for some low-fat cheeses like ricotta.
Digestibility of Proteins and Dogs
Some proteins are easier to digest for dogs than others. The sources with the highest digestibility are eggs (100%) and chicken, beef, and lamb (92%).
Proteins derived from organs, such as kidney, heart, and liver, follow with a digestibility of 90%.
Fish, while still a good protein source, has a digestibility of 75%.
The least digestible protein sources are plant-based and vary from 54 to 75%.
How much protein should an adult dog consume?
The optimal daily amount of protein needed for healthy adult dogs has not been demonstrated.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a minimum crude protein concentration of 18.0% on a dry matter basis for adult maintenance food with an energy value of 4000 kcal/kg [1].
Commercial dog foods contain varying amounts of protein, ranging from 18% to over 60%, with equally divergent concentrations of amino acids.
Therefore, it's important to choose quality products with a good concentration of proteins, unless the dog suffers from diseases that require a substantial reduction.
To simplify the calculation and assist those who provide a homemade diet for their dog, a dog needs about 2-4 grams of protein per kg of body weight per day.
When calculating this formula, the weight should be based on what the dog's ideal weight should be, not the current weight.
Using the current weight of an overweight dog will give a result that is too high, and that of an emaciated dog will be lower than the actual need.
For example, if you have a Maltese that should weigh 3 kg, it would need a minimum of 6 grams of protein per day, even if the current weight is 6 kg.
