//Low Protein Dog Food

Low Protein Dog Food

For dogs, it is vital to ensure that they have an adequate diet that includes carbohydrates, fats, oils, minerals, vitamins, water, and protein. Protein is essential for the growth and development of the structure of your dog’s body, and this vital nutrient is made up of amino acids.

Ideally, every dog needs 22 amino acids to function properly, and the dog usually produces only 12 out of the 22 amino acids. The remaining ten the dog takes from its diet. However, as important as protein might be in a dog’s meal, some dogs might lack the ability to process them due to some chronic health conditions. When such a challenge arises, proteins can cause more harm than good. This is when the need for a low protein diet arises.

As well as food allergies, some health conditions that can compromise your dog’s (especially older dogs) ability to metabolize protein. This includes acute kidney failure, renal failure, glomerulonephritis, cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, liver shunts, and chronic kidney disease. Dogs with hepatitis can no longer metabolize proteins, which causes them to accumulate in the bloodstream leading to more problems. Also, overweight dogs, aging dogs, and fast-growing dogs are usually given low-protein diets to curb the rate at which they pile on weight.

Daily Protein Needs

On average, a healthy dog’s diet should comprise 30–40% protein, but in sick dogs, experts recommend that the crude protein limit should not exceed 18%. However, it is normal to see some low protein dog foods with higher protein levels because many veterinary doctors have discovered that cutting off phosphorus from the diets of dogs with kidney diseases, brought about improvement.

Combating these health challenges by modifying your dog’s diet not only increases your pet’s lifespan but your dog’s quality of life also improves. It is good to have at the back of your mind that while low protein diets should be given to dogs who cannot break down protein, they are not for healthy dogs.

Importance of a Low-Protein Diet

  • Permits rest to the affected organs by reducing their workload

  • Alleviates symptoms associated with diseases in the organs

  • Stops the accumulation of toxic substances like nitrogenous wastes in the bloodstream which can have deleterious effects on your canine

  • Elimination of particles like stones that accumulate in the bladder over time

Education

When selecting a low protein dog food for your dog, consider the following:

Brand

Go for brands that have been tried and trusted, always stick to a brand that you believe in—irrespective of the price.

Quality

The diet should have protein sources that are easy to digest, animal protein sources come highly recommended.

Adequacy

A low-protein diet is not centered on protein only, and you should consider each of the other nutrients as well. Avoid additives like colors, flavors, and artificial sweeteners like corn syrup and sucrose.

Consistency of the Food

Most low protein dog foods usually come in canned and dry forms. Your pet might prefer canned food because of its yummy aroma even though it has a shorter lifespan than dry foods. Also, dry foods are more nutrient-packed than canned foods.

Flavor

The best thing to do when choosing flavors for your dog meal is to ensure that you buy a taste that your dog will love.

Ingredients listing

Always take your time to peruse the ingredients list, be on the lookout for the amount of crude protein. The amount of crude protein in food differs from dry foods to wet foods.

Seek the advice of a professional

You can either seek the help of a veterinarian, a certified nutritionist, or the salesperson at the store.

These are the best low protein dog foods:

Comparison Chart

Products Image

Brands

Weight

Price

Nutrients

Active Longevity Chicken Meal, Rice & Barley Dry Dog Food by Hill’s Science Diet

33lbs.

$62.42

Protein Minimum:16.5%
Fat Minimum:12%
Fiber Maximum:4%
Moisture Maximum:10%
Calories:364

Select Natural Weight Management Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Holistic

24lbs.

$53.52

Protein Minimum:26%
Fat Minimum:8%
Fiber Maximum:8.5%
Moisture Maximum:10%
Calories:331

Ultra Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food by Nutro

30lbs.

$78.29

Protein Minimum:23%
Fat Minimum:10%
Fiber Maximum:4%
Moisture Maximum:10%
Calories: 335

Limited Ingredient Diets D
Ry Dog Food by Natural Balance

26lbs.

$69.99

Protein Minimum:20%
Fat Minimum:10%
Fiber Maximum: 4%
Moisture Maximum: 10%
Calories: 375

Pure Land Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Canidae

24lbs.

$178.47

Protein Minimum: 25%
Fat Minimum:15%
Fiber Maximum: 4%
Moisture Maximum: 10%
Calories: 474

Purina NF Kidney Function Canned Canine Formula

12lbs.

$43.20

Protein Minimum: 2.5%
Fat Minimum:5.5%

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low-Fat Canned Dog Food

200g

$120

Protein Minimum: 6%
Fat Minimum: 1%
Fiber maximum:1.5%
Moisture content maximum: 78%

Active Longevity Chicken Meal, Rice & Barley Dry Dog Food by Hill’s Science Diet

For canines, the Active Longevity Dry Dog Food is one of the best low-protein formulas on the market. The blend utilizes only chicken meal as its main source of animal protein. It contains soy, wheat, and corn which makes it not very suitable for pets who are allergic to gluten.

The dry dog food blend comes in two kibble sizes to meet your dog’s preference. You can either go for the regular or the small sizes. Each serving per cup contains 364 calories. It has a protein content minimum 16.5%, fat content minimum 12%, moisture content maximum 10%, and fiber content maximum 4%.  The chief ingredients in the blend are wholemeal, corn, chicken meal, brown rice, and sorghum. In addition to the aforementioned nutrients, it also contains some minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. It does not contain any form of artificial colors, preservatives, flavors or by-products.

View Latest Price

Select Natural Weight Management Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Holistic

For dog parents who want their pets to have an easy digestion and improved immunity, Select Natural Weight Management Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Holistic comes highly recommended. This product contains a total of 10 probiotics that helps to maintain the integrity of the gut, this is quite rare. The protein content of this nutrient blend is 26% minimum, which isn’t a bad value. One of the reasons why this low-protein food by Holistic is a favorite is because it lacks gluten. If your four-legged furry is allergic to gluten, you do not have to worry. To further broaden the benefits of this formula, the manufacturers added compounds like glucosamine to boost your dog’s metabolism and carnitine to improve the health of joints.

Each serving cup of this dry dog food contains 331 calories, 26% protein content minimum, 8% fat content minimum, maximum 10% of moisture content, and maximum 8.5% fiber content. Additionally, there are other vital nutrients like essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, glucosamine, l-carnitine and a pound of probiotics which measures about 100 million CFUs.

The chief ingredients in the product include peas, potatoes, chicken meal, lentils, and dried molasses.

View Latest Price

Ultra Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food by Nutro

This superior blend consists of combining ingredients that are low in protein, calories, and fat. This pet chow also has some ingredient that is vital in keeping the health of your dog’s joint very healthy. The Nutro Ultra weight management adult dry dog food comprises 12 superfoods channeled to provide your furry pal with essential nutrients.

In addition, it comprises taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and some fatty acids that help to maintain the function of the nervous and immune systems in your dog. The whole grains help to boost digestion while supplying vital nutrients. Each serving cup of the product contains 335 calories per cup, a protein content of minimum 23%, a fat content of minimum 10%, a moisture content of maximum 10%, and fiber content maximum 4%. The five superior ingredients on this list are chicken, chicken meal, rice bran, whole brown rice, and brewer’s rice.  

View Latest Price

Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food by Natural Balance

It is quite rare to see a low-protein dog food with limited nutrients meeting the nutritional needs of a dog, which is why Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food by Natural Balance is on this list. The main ingredients in the formula are sweet potatoes and bison. The other nutrients that make up the bulk of the diet are sourced from extracts of various food items. The essential fatty acids that form part of the dog food, provide added benefits like improving the appearance of your pet’s skin and coat, as well as boosting the immune function.

Each serving cup of this canine chow contains 375 calories, protein content of minimum 20%, the fat content of minimum 10%, a moisture content of maximum 10%, and fiber content of maximum 4%.

The major ingredients in this blend are sweet potatoes, pea, protein, canola oil, bison, and potato protein.

View Latest Price

Pure Land Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Canidae

Unlike its counterparts which have low-protein levels, this high-calorie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Canidae is a superior blend of probiotics and prebiotics which are tailored to meet the needs of dogs with sensitive stomachs. Their aim is to improve the level of digestion and boost the function of the immune system. If your canine is quite overweight, it is important to give this meal with discretion. The main sources of animal protein in this product are lamb meal and bison. It is also rich in essential fatty acids which helps to reduce inflammation, especially on the kidneys.

The Pure Land Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Canidae contains 474 calories per serving cup, a protein content of minimum 25%, the fat content of minimum 15%, the moisture content of maximum 10%, and a fiber content of maximum 4%. The major ingredients in this canine chow are lamb meal, bison, peas, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes. This product does not contain any form of wheat, soy, or corn. For every pound of this dog food you serve, your pet gets 100 million CFUs of probiotics while every kilogram of this dry dog food contains cellulase at 100 CMCU.

View Latest Price

Purina NF Kidney Function Canned Canine Formula

Very few types of dog food help alleviate the side effects of kidney disease and delay the progression of the disease. One of these specialist dog foods is Purina NF Kidney Function Canned Canine Formula. A low-protein diet will not necessarily cure the health condition but it will make your four-legged furry friend very comfortable. It is low in protein, sodium, phosphorus, and a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids. The level of crude protein is 2.5% while the level of crude fat in the mix is 5.5%. The B-complex vitamins in the food help to protect your pet’s body and facilitate the break-down of all nutrients. The main ingredients in the formula are meat by-products, corn grits, beef, and rice.

Purina NF canine formula is a well-crafted therapeutic diet for dogs with renal problems. It is an adequate diet, contains antioxidants, and also very palatable. Some of the downsides associated with the product are limited flavors and the presence of by-products.

View Latest Price

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low-Fat Canned Dog Food

One of the best lowprotein dog foods out there is Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low-Fat Canned Dog Food. The formula is a nutritious mixture formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists. It contains high-quality protein sources that have high absorption rates; they also possess a high level of digestibility due to their high fiber content.

The diet is rich in components like hydrolyzed yeast and zeolite which provides nourishment to the tissue lining the intestines. Further, the formula is also rich in minerals and vitamins. This helps to secure the natural balance of the digestive system while boosting the dog’s immune function. This is a recommended brand for hounds that need to lose weight. The main ingredients in this brand of canned dog food include water sufficient for processing, corn grits, corn meal, rice flour, and pork by-products.

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal low-fat canned dog food is in high regard for canines suffering from acute and chronic forms of pancreatitis and diarrhea. It also plays a pivotal role in the alleviation of oxidative enteropathy, bile acid deficiency, and hyperlipidemia. The nutrient blend has a minimum 6.0% of crude protein and a minimum 1.0%crude fat. Some of the advantages of this low-protein dog food include adequate energy content, low fiber, low fat, and natural preservatives. This type of food meets the energy requirement of adult dogs without overloading their systems. The only downside associated with the product is that it contains grains and animal by-products.

View Latest Price

Conclusion

Protein is an essential macronutrient that is needed by all living things to survive, especially our beloved canines. However, when complications arise in organs like the bladder, the kidneys, and the liver, it is expected that we reduce the levels of protein in our dog’s diet. Finally, it is imperative that you speak to a professional before you consider any of our seven best low-protein dog foods for your furry pal.

Related Articles:

Best Grain Free Dog Food 2019

Best Affordable Dog Food 2019

Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods

Best Canned Dog Foods 

By |2019-06-20T16:58:42+00:00November 19th, 2018|Categories: Dog Food|Tags: |0 Comments

About the Author:

Leave A Comment

This Is A Custom Widget

This Sliding Bar can be switched on or off in theme options, and can take any widget you throw at it or even fill it with your custom HTML Code. Its perfect for grabbing the attention of your viewers. Choose between 1, 2, 3 or 4 columns, set the background color, widget divider color, activate transparency, a top border or fully disable it on desktop and mobile.

This Is A Custom Widget

This Sliding Bar can be switched on or off in theme options, and can take any widget you throw at it or even fill it with your custom HTML Code. Its perfect for grabbing the attention of your viewers. Choose between 1, 2, 3 or 4 columns, set the background color, widget divider color, activate transparency, a top border or fully disable it on desktop and mobile.