Many brands, flavours and types of dog food are now available to buy online and in stores. Many may claim to be superior quality or contain more meat, but does this actually mean any health benefits to your dog? Or is it just another way to market dog food? Below we discuss the benefits of meat in dog food and the amounts recommended. 

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Dog food is essentially made of protein (meat or plant based), fats and oils and fibre (carbohydrates). The ratio of these in food varies greatly. And foods will often have additives such as supplements or extra minerals depending on the type of dog it is aimed at. There is a lot to take into consideration when buying a dog food for your pet. This includes your dog’s age, their life stage (puppy, adult, senior, pregnant or lactating), your dog’s current and ideal weight, and your dog’s energy levels and daily exercise. 

Wet versus dry food 

Wet food has a higher water or moisture content. But often the protein level or meat content can be lower than dry food. It is worth noting that wet and dry food of the same brand and the same life stage can contain different amounts as well; which is why the feeding guidelines vary on them. Some dogs may prefer a mixture of the two types of food, depending on what they have had before. If you aren’t sure which type of food would be better suited for your dog then ask your vet for advice. 

Meat & protein levels 

The protein levels will typically increase with the higher meat content. Meat is included in the diet for protein, amino acids, calcium, vitamins and iron levels amongst other things. Protein helps develop muscle, bones and the nervous system so is essential in the diet. Often in a puppy’s diet the levels of calcium and phosphorus differ to that of an adult (due to their growth rate needs). Therefore the meat level may be higher. 

However!

Although still uncommon, it is possible to create complete balanced plant-based diets for dogs. As a result, we should really be talking about how much protein, not just how much meat, as there are many different possible sources of protein. Remember, dogs need nutrients, not ingredients!

That said, many would argue that meat is a more balanced protein source. But again, the jury’s still out on that one, due to a sad lack of good-quality research (people saying their dogs are healthy doesn’t mean they necessarily are!) and contradictory findings.

So how much protein?  

In general terms the higher the activity level of the dog, such as a working gun dog, will need a slightly higher protein content. This is because they use so much energy every day; and not only burn calories but muscle is being stressed too. But if a pet dog doing very little exercise is put onto a working dog diet, then it can cause them to gain weight due to the excess meat. And in some it appears to cause hyperactivity too. 

Protein levels of around 18% DM (dry matter – this term is used on the back of food packaging) are recommended for daily maintenance of an adult dog, but a puppy will require more. A working dog diet is usually above 21%. But as mentioned previously it is not advised to feed this to all dogs; it can cause weight gain and sometimes gastrointestinal signs such as diarrhoea due to the higher levels. A diet should never be higher than 30% protein DM as it is not necessary. And it is also likely to cause unwanted signs such as diarrhoea. Any excess over what the body needs daily will actually be excreted, so any extra will not have any positive impact. 

Medical conditions 

In some conditions a higher protein content can actually cause problems and potentially make your dog unwell. If your dog has chronic kidney disease, which is often seen in older pets, then a higher protein content cannot be processed properly. As the kidneys are not functioning at full capacity, the excess level of nitrogen waste cannot be filtered correctly and instead causes a build up of toxins such as urea which are harmful to the body. Some chronic long term intestinal disorders can also be worsened by high protein levels in the diet. If your dog has any medical conditions or is on medication then please ask your vet for advice on suitable diets.  

In summary a higher meat content does not always equal a better diet for your dog. A good diet is always one that is listed as a complete diet for your dog and the correct life stage and age. Looking at diets can seem a bit of a minefield, but if you are struggling then your veterinary practice can help you understand a suitable food and also help calculate the amount to feed each day. 

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