High Protein Diet for Dogs

For many pet owners, dogs are just like part of the family and they want to give dogs the best possible care. To ensure this, it is important to be well informed on what the healthiest diet is for dogs. Protein is a very important part of a dog's daily intake to guarantee they have necessary amino acids, essential energy and grow and develop properly. Feeding your dog a high protein diet can take a bit of research, but it is easy to do once you find the high protein foods your dog enjoys.

Types of Food

Most dog foods that are high in protein have one thing in common--a meat base. Whether it be actual meat, meat fats or meat by products such as eggs, these types of foods will have the highest protein amounts. Dogs prefer meat-based dog foods. While they may have a preferred brand of dog food, it is best to offer a variety so they do not get tired of eating the same food all the time. This can be done by switching between dry and canned high protein dog food. Giving your dog canned dog food in the morning and dry dog food in the evening is a good way to do this. Offering high protein dog treats on occasion can also be another way to give your dog a variety of flavors. Dogs also enjoy leftovers such as cooked chicken, beef or pork. Just be sure that the food is not seasoned to avoid any stomach upset for your dog.

High Protein Brands

There are many high protein dog food brands out on the market today. Depending upon the brand, they can range from affordable to quite expensive in price. The mid range priced brands include some of the following: IAMS Healthy Naturals Puppy Food, Breeder's Choice Pinnacle Peak High Protein Formula, Evolve Senior Light, and Pro Plan Selects Dog Food. Choosing the best brand may depend on the number of dogs you have, the amount of money you want to spend and how often they will be fed.

Daily Recommendations

It is always important to know the daily recommended amount of protein for a dog's diet. You will need to take into consideration the age and activity of your dog to determine how much protein it will need daily. For instance, a puppy who is growing and active every day will most likely need more daily protein than an older dog who isn't very active or spends most of the day napping. Dogs who are lactating or used for work and performance will also require a higher percentage of protein each day.