Protein Sources for Dogs

Proteins are a necessary nutrient for the proper growth and development of your dog. Proteins are made up of amino acids---of which there are 22. Dogs can synthesize 12 of the amino acids themselves, but the other 10 must be ingested through food sources. Not all proteins are created equal so be sure to investigate the source of protein in your dog's food.

  1. Animal Origin

    • Most dogs thrive on a meat-based diet---though it must be balanced as too much of a good thing can actually be bad for their health. Meat sources include poultry (chicken, turkey, duck), lamb, beef, fish (salmon, herring) and dairy products (milk, eggs, cheese). Other protein sources of animal origin include meat by-products such as the spleen, liver, heart, intestines and kidneys of other animals.

    Plant Origin

    • Protein may be derived from plant sources including corn, barley, wheat, rice, soybeans and oatmeal. Dogs need fibrous protein which is found in the non-digestible cellulose of plants, such as a peanut hull. Nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and legumes are all plant protein sources.

    Biological Values of Protein

    • The ability of a protein and its amino acids to be used by a dog's body is called its biological value. Biological value is ranked out of 100. Eggs have the highest biological value at 100, setting the standard against which all other proteins are judged. Dog food with egg as its main source of protein is a nutritious choice. Fish meal and milk have a biological value of 92. Beef's biological value is approximately 78 and soybeans are 67. Bone meal and wheat have a value of 50 and corn falls just below that with 45. Generally, animal protein sources have the highest biological values because they contain certain amino acids that plant protein sources do not. The best way to include protein in your dog's diet is to balance a variety of both plant and animal protein sources.