You’re probably already aware that protein is a very important part of your dog’s diet. But how much protein does a dog need in a day? And what protein is best for dogs?
There’s a lot of info about pet nutritional requirements out there — but the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.
This article will take you through why protein is so important for your dog’s diet, explore the best protein source for dogs, and explain how much protein your pup really needs to eat in a day to support a healthy, happy life.
Why Is Protein Important For Dogs?
Protein is made up of amino acids that are essential for tissue growth and repair. It can come from both animal and plant-based sources — but high-quality animal sources often provide a better amino acid balance for pups.
While protein is a vital part of your dog’s diet, it’s important to remember that dogs are in fact omnivores, not carnivores. This means that they can’t thrive on protein alone. Rather, they require a diet of protein, carbs, and fat — and it’s important to feed your pup a dog food that balances all three.
That being said, choosing the right dog food can feel intimidating — there are so many options out there, and of course you want the best for your canine companion! Let’s break down what you should look for in a dog food, and help you find the best protein for dogs.
What To Look For In A Protein Source
So, how much protein do dogs need, really? Dog protein requirements vary according to life stage, health, and age. Healthy adult dogs need a minimum 15-23% of dry matter protein in their daily diet, while puppies require higher levels of protein to support their growth and development.
A good diet will meet your pup’s needs by using high-quality, easily-digestible ingredients, in the amounts they need to access nutrients easily.
Why are the amounts important? Well, processing excess nutrients beyond a dog’s daily requirements puts extra pressure on their organs — forcing their body to work a little bit harder. This contributes to more metabolic waste being produced (a.k.a. more poop).
When it comes to protein specifically, overly high protein levels have been shown to be detrimental to a pup’s organs, and can contribute to issues like kidney problems.
Another important factor to consider is the digestibility of the protein source. By upping the quality of protein in your dog’s diet, less quantity is needed to meet their needs. A higher-quality protein will also aid in healthy digestion, while supporting your dog’s daily health needs.
The Best Protein Sources For Your Dog
Use this rule of thumb when choosing a dog food: When looking at the back of the packaging, a high-quality protein like chicken, beef, or fish should be the first ingredient listed.
It’s important to note that not all proteins are created equal. Besides choosing a type of protein for your dog, you’ll also want to consider where it came from. High-quality proteins tend to not only be better in terms of animal welfare — they can also be healthier and tastier than lower- quality proteins.
Here are a few of our favorite premium, healthy protein sources for dogs (all used in our Jinx kibble, by the way):
Grass-fed beef - Not only does grass-fed beef tend to have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals — it also has a superior taste and texture that will please any pup’s palate.
Cage-free chicken - Cage-free chickens are known to be raised in cleaner environments and more humane conditions than caged chickens. It’s a kinder option for your dog’s kibble.
Atlantic salmon - Atlantic salmon may have lower levels of mercury and other contaminants than other salmon. Plus, it has a richer flavor that even picky eaters will find irresistible.
What Percentage of Your Dog’s Diet Should Be Protein?
Percentage-wise, healthy adult dogs should get a minimum of 18-25% of their daily caloric intake from protein. Puppies’ daily protein minimums are higher to support their growth, typically 29% (which should provide them with 20-25% of their daily calories). Here at Jinx, we’ve gone beyond these protein minimums to build a perfectly balanced diet designed by experts. Our adult formulas contain 27% protein, while our puppy formulas contain an optimal 30% protein to support healthy development.
How Much Protein Should A Dog Have Daily?
Your pup needs 1 gram of protein per pound of their ideal body weight, per day. So, let’s say you have a 40-pound dog — then your dog would require 40 grams of protein each day.
Something to note: if your dog is overweight, you should calculate their daily protein requirement based on their ideal, healthy body weight — not their current weight.
Dogs With Allergies
Just like humans, dogs can have sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients in their food. And while dogs can develop allergies to any ingredient, allergies to protein sources are amongst the most common. Allergies usually show up in the forms of digestive or skin issues, like diarrhea, vomiting, itching, or recurring ear infections.
If you find that your little buddy is having issues digesting their food, the first thing to check is how much you’re feeding them. If the feeding amount seems suitable — not too much per day — then they may be having a reaction to an ingredient in their food. Stop feeding them that dog food, and contact your vet for advice.
Prioritize Quality Protein For Your Pup
Protein is an essential part of your dog’s diet — but as we’ve touched on in this article, quality is more important than quantity.
The main priority when choosing a food for your pup should be high-quality, highly digestible ingredients. Look for a dog food with premium protein sources — like grass-fed beef or Atlantic salmon — which not only tend to be healthier for your pup, but also taste better.
How much protein your dog needs in a day depends on their age (growing puppies require more protein than adult dogs), size, and lifestyle, and will need to be adjusted throughout your pup’s lifetime. If you have any questions about your canine companion’s protein requirements — or other questions about their diet — be sure to talk with your vet.