Protein in your Dogs Diet...Does it Matter?

It is no secret that protein is important in a person’s diet. However, it’s just as important for a dog’s. There are many questions that pet owners have in regards to protein and the significance of a good protein diet for a dog.

​Although you may think that your dog is getting enough protein from regular kibble, there is a possibility that they may not be. And if your dog isn’t consuming enough protein, this can cause several health issues.

What are the Hazards of Low Protein?

Low protein can cause many health hazards for dogs. One factor is the effect that the lack of protein will have on a dog’s coat. Without enough protein, a dog’s fur can become brittle or dry and even show signs of hair loss. Skin can also become darker and fur can lose its
pigmentation.

If the lack of protein continues, dogs will then experience a lack of energy, loss of weight and strength, and even experience a longer time period for wounds to heal. Also, if a dog is younger, they’ll have slower bone and muscle development without proper levels of protein.

This poses the question: Does your dog have enough in their diet?

Find Out What Foods We Know are Awesome

Proteins are defined as chains of small building blocks called amino acids. And without the right amount, dogs can suffer from a number of issues including hormonal imbalances, skin issues, tissue problems, and behavioral changes.

There are many food products that may satisfy your dog’s appetite. However, it may not satisfy their protein levels. And one of the complex decisions that a dog owner will have to make is to choose between raw or cooked foods because both have different effects in regards to protein.

Raw Vs. Cooked: Which Should You Choose?

​There are arguments that claim that cooked foods have a decreased risk of bacteria. By cooking the food, there is less of a chance of bacteria lingering inside of it and a lesser possibility for a case of salmonella. The theory is cooked food would give a pet owner more control and it would be safer to handle, but that's simply not true. 

Raw foods are proven to be more nutritious and in turn have better protein. For raw food still contains their natural vitamins and minerals and if cooked, it would decrease the nutritional value.
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Raw foods are also minimally processed and most importantly, contain more, vitamins, nutrients and moisture than cooked foods. This in turn will improve protein levels for your dog. In a future post, we will discuss the best raw foods to feed your dog, but first we will discuss the significance of added moisture within raw foods.

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Why is Moisture Important?

Did you know that just a bowl of water isn’t enough moisture for your dog? Dogs’ bodies are consisted of 65% moisture and are designed to receive that from their food.

Moisture in food assists dogs in absorbing nutrients and most importantly, it affects the percentages of ingredients like protein. 

However, many people believe that moisture content is similar within every dog food. But, it turns out there are significant differences in moisture within various foods.

Is your dog loving their kibble? Although it may fill your dog up, it actually only provides 6-10% of the moisture that your dog needs. And the less moisture that is in your dog’s food, the less protein your furry friend receives.

However, there’s no need to fear!

There are many food options that can meet your pet’s protein needs and we will continue to discuss those options in next week’s post!

​For now, we will leave you with 3 questions to ponder:​

            1.) What am I feeding my dog
            2.) Am I feeding my dog raw or cooked foods?
            3.) Does my dog’s diet have enough moisture?

In further posts this month we will delve deeper into the importance of protein and the best foods in which your dog can receive it.

Until next week...continue to be awesome Pet Parents!