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Components of a Fresh Diet

Proper Protein in Your Dog's Bowl

This content is owned by Feed Real Institute. Authored and/or contributed to by Amber D., Kay S..

Proper Protein in Your Dog's Bowl

In 1991, AAFCO set the minimum protein levels for dog food to be 18% for adult dogs and 22.5% for puppies. Unfortunately, for various reasons, most dry dog food falls in line with the AAFCO guidelines, with the minimum levels being the standard protein levels.

This minimum standard is extremely low compared to what dogs eat instinctively, a diet consisting of small rodents, rabbits, carcasses, and other small animals. An ancestral raw diet for dogs has 63% muscle meat and another 20% protein in the forms of seafood (10%), liver (5%), and other organ meat (5%). The raw meaty bone component (12%) also adds protein to the diet. The final element, fur and fiber, is the only one that does not contain significant protein. The ideal lean diet has four parts protein and one part fat.

The AAFCO minimum requirements resulted from two research studies of dogs fed processed foods. The researchers noted dogs chose food that had only 25% protein but preferred carbohydrates and fats. However, the first study's flaw was that the protein source was soybean and beef; the other study involved only six dogs. 

Dogs should not have been limited to only two protein sources as options and nutrition studies need to involve more dogs to produce statistically valid results. Additionally, the research is over 15 years old and does not reflect new discoveries regarding nutrients and bodily functions.

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Understanding Complete and Incomplete Proteins

Proteins are classified as either complete or incomplete. Complete proteins provide all the amino acids necessary for proper function. In contrast, incomplete proteins are low or lacking in one or more amino acids needed to build cells, usually missing lysine, tryptophan, taurine, or arginine.

This does not imply that dogs should only be fed one kind of protein. For instance, the nutritional composition of beef muscle is completely different from that of chicken muscle. The amino acid composition of different beef cuts varies. Lysine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine are all found in high concentrations in chicken breast, beef, and fish. In contrast, in chicken breasts, lysine, leucine, threonine, and valine are all found in high concentrations.

The body cannot function correctly without the appropriate proteins in the diet. During protein synthesis, amino acids are selected to match the intended function. RNA and DNA synthesis can be impacted without sufficient essential amino acids. 

The Protein Problem

Protein requirements are highest at weaning, gradually decreasing over a dog's lifespan. There is a debate about the protein requirements for senior dogs within the veterinary field. One school of thought is that dietary protein levels should be increased to avoid wasting muscle mass, while the other opinion is that protein should be decreased due to the toll it takes on the aging kidneys. 

Studies using dogs showed that dogs fed lower protein levels had an increased mortality rate. This same study revealed that even dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) did not have any adverse effects from a high-protein diet, and some of those dogs fared better on the higher-protein diet. Another article from a separate study that revealed that switching dogs from dry dog food to a meat-based diet benefited the dogs' kidneys was published over 50 years ago.

Plant-Based Proteins

Plant-based proteins, which are incomplete, are often used in kibble. Peas, grains, lentils, and chickpeas are plant proteins most commonly used. Since they are deficient in essential amino acids, they should be fed with animal-based protein sources; however, the right combination of incomplete proteins can result in a complete profile.

  • Peas: Peas are low in calories but high in protein content. They are also a good source of vitamins A, C, and B, such as niacin (B3), thiamine (B1), and riboflavin.
  • Lentils: Lentils contain fiber, antioxidants, and protein. They're also an excellent source of folate and manganese—two nutrients that help support your dog's immune system.
  • Chickpeas: Chickpeas contain fiber, antioxidants, and protein. They're also a good source of iron and calcium, which are important for your dog's growth and development.

Adding Quality Proteins to Your Dog's Raw Bowl

A natural, raw diet with rotating proteins helps dogs get the protein their body requires to function correctly. The ideal mix of whole foods contains at least one-half protein, with the other half being fats. Grass-fed and organically-raised animals produce more nutrient-dense muscle meat than grain-fed animals.

The following are recommended sources of high-quality protein:

  • Quail
  • Emu
  • Lamb
  • Tripe
  • Sardines
  • Venison
  • Duck
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Chicken

Although organ meats shouldn't be a large percentage of your dog's diet due to their nutrient density, they offer high-quality protein and a range of vitamins and minerals. Liver and other secreting organs, including the pancreas and spleen, are full of vital nutrients. And they contain alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, an antioxidant that assists the body in functioning properly.

When planning your dog's meals, remember to rotate the protein source each time you prepare a large batch of food. Every 2-3 weeks is appropriate for protein rotation. 

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Warming, Neutral, and Cooling Proteins

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine or TCVM, you determine if your dog needs warming or cooling proteins. TCVM food therapy is often used with other TCVM modalities, like acupuncture. Food therapy will address specific issues in your dog, but discovering the root cause of disorders and diseases can take a long time. 

Warming proteins are high in calories and make the body feel warm. Dogs needing a warming protein will have cold limbs, ears, and cold noses. They prefer to snuggle up to gain warmth. 

Dogs needing cooling proteins will continuously feel warm to the touch and seek out cool areas of your home or property to sleep. They may also have irritated red skin and eyes or continuously pant even when not exercising. Cooling proteins are low-calorie and help keep your dog's body cool by lowering its temperature. 

Feeding your dog foods to help them achieve balance is a part of this theory of energy in TCVM. 

  • Cooling proteins: Rabbit, duck, whitefish, goose, pork, quail, and clams.
  • Neutral proteins: Beef, salmon, bison, herring, mackerel, sardines, camel, elk, and wild turkey.
  • Warming proteins: Goat, venison, lamb, alligator, chicken, domestic turkey, and bison.

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The list of cooling, neutral, and warming proteins differs among the many resources consulted. As new information emerges, this article will be updated.

Takeaway Bites

  • Dry kibble minimum standards are significantly lower than a dog's natural diet, yet they are the standard for the commercial pet food industry.
  • High-quality protein sources, like grass-fed beef, should be chosen when possible.
  • Variety in your dog's raw bowl is crucial to ensure balance. A combination of proteins will ensure your dog's complete amino acid profile.

References