Just like man, man’s best friend needs proteins for bones to form properly and for them to maintain an overall good weight. So, today, we talk about the types of low protein dog food that will be beneficial for your pet.
If you are a dog owner, you already know that they love anything with protein in it, be it chicken or beef, and so you would have no problem getting them to eat more protein if it was needed.
Is it that dogs need lower levels of protein?
Not exactly because in the real sense, it is quite the opposite. Their ancestors, wolves, survived on high-protein diets with low carbohydrate intake and reasonable amounts of fat. These needs are the same for domesticated dogs, albeit with a disclaimer.
Some circumstances may require that you put your dog on a low-protein diet.
- Kidney stones
- Aging dogs that aren’t so active.
- Large breeds that run the risk of obesity.
- Urinary stones.
- Liver concerns and cirrhosis.
These are some of the health complications that necessitate the best low protein dog foods.
What is the Right Percentage of Protein in Dog Food?
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This part has been controversial for a while with some sources insisting that all dogs can handle a high-protein diet. Ideally, a healthy dog needs 1g of protein for each pound of weight, but that changes as they age.
When an animal’s body has had more protein than it needs, it only takes what it requires to maintain healthy muscle content then the kidney excretes the rest through urine. The belief is that this tasks the kidney too much, but some quarters suggest a healthy kidney can handle this work like a trooper.
Still, if your vet suggests putting your dog on a low-protein diet, you should not hesitate to do so.
For dog food to be considered low in protein, it has to have 23% or less protein content. Anything above that may be considered too much. This is especially so for dogs with kidney stones and those that are naturally aged with no much use for the extra protein.
Benefits of a Low-Protein Diet
Saying that food is low in protein does not make it any less nutritious. You still get lots of benefits from it as long as it is well balanced. These are some of the benefits that arise from this.
- Relief to the Kidney
With less protein to synthesis, your dog’s kidney will be doing less. Normally, the excess protein is turned into nitrogen, which the dog will excrete through urine, but with just the right amount of protein, this process is eliminated.
- Weight Management
Proteins are body-building foods, but even too much of this can cause a large breed of dog to really grow fast. You can prevent your dog from overgrowth by restricting the amount of protein they take in a meal.
- Ease Digestion
Protein is meant to keep man and beast fuller for longer, and this is mostly due to the fact that it digests slowly. Going easy on this clears things up a little for the digestive system especially for aging dogs whose metabolism is already on a downward spiral.
What is the best low protein dog food?
If you are looking for the best low protein dog food, then here we have for you a list of some of the dog food for your dogs.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Best for Large Dogs
Blue Buffalo is not just another commercial brand of dog food. It is created by dog lovers and so you can trust them to know the best that man’s best friend needs. Life Protection Formula is especially good for large breeds.
According to the family-run company, their Chicken and Brown Rice is made with real meat as well as fruits and veggies. While helping your dog build some muscle, it also gives them just enough strength to get through the day without growing too big.
Some of the beneficial contents in this meal include;
- High-quality chicken protein that improves the muscle content of a dog.
- Low-fat content that makes it easy for a dog to lose excess weight while maintaining its muscle content.
- Enough antioxidants to maintain a healthy coat.
What we like
- The meal contains no artificial coloring or ingredients.
- The ingredients are natural and quite healthy.
- The meal must be delicious because dogs love it.
What we didn’t like
- The price is a bit steep.
- The percentage of protein is not indicated.
We noticed that the company has changed its packaging but the contents remain the same. This brand remains one of the best low-protein dog foods on the market.
Mattie’s Healthy Treats – For Dogs Dealing with Kidney Stones
Mattie’s Treat makes this meal especially for dogs with kidney stones or other issues that prevents them from eating a full-protein meal. The company explains that it relies on natural products to come up with a meal that not only aids in the muscle growth of an aging dog, but one that also gives your pet a healthy coat.
What ingredients are present? Light rye flour, omega 3 fish oil for antioxidants, tapioca flour, pure pumpkin, the ever healthy canola oil, and cinnamon for taste. The manufacturer reports that the level of protein in a typical bag is at 6.1% and phosphorous is quite low. The same goes for fat.
If you are worried about allergens, this meal contains no wheat, corn, or soy.
Want an even better reason for trying this brand out? Part of the receipts from the sale of this dog meal goes to the canine kidney disease research.
Things we liked
- The meal is low protein and phosphorous.
- Dogs eat it without a fuss, so it must taste good.
- It is made of real ingredients that are beneficial to your pet.
Things we didn’t like
- Not easily available.
- The protein content is quite low at 6%.
This meal works well for aging dogs that don’t need too much protein as well as those with kidney stones.
Natural Balance Dry Dog Food – Few Ingredients for lesser chances of allergy
This meal is made of bison and sweet potato and they are both good for various reasons. Bison, lean meat that is high in protein, is also low in fat and so your dogs are not at risk of growing bigger. Sweet potatoes are not only a complex carb, but they are also rich in minerals such as phosphorous.
To prevent any reactions to this brand of dog food, the manufacturer uses few ingredients to make it easy to know what your dog does not like. There are hints of chicken, venison, and fish, and the maker is clear that no artificial flavoring is used.
Natural Balance uses no grains as they are a cause for concern for many dog owners. The package is reasonably priced and so you won’t have to break the bank to feed your dog premium food.
What we liked
- The meal is affordable.
- Food is low in protein but still contains other vital ingredients for a healthy dog coat.
- 9 tests to assure consumers.
What we didn’t like
- Not every dog will like the taste of bison yet it is the main ingredient.
- We are not sure if the flavors added are natural.
This meal contains a maximum 23% protein and the company says it is tested 9 times before being released for sale.
Nutro Ultra Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food – Formulated for Overweight Dogs
This meal is made up of three main animal proteins chicken, lamb, and salmon. They are all rich in not only protein but also other minerals and nutrients that are sufficient for raising a healthy dog.
This meal is made specifically for adult dogs and especially for weight management, and so the young ones should not eat this. The maker makes it clear that no chicken by-products are used in the making of Nutro Ultra, and so the three main sources of protein are real meats.
Apart from the fact that there are no grains in this meal, the maker adds coconut, chia, kale, blueberries to make it richer. Each bowl of Nutro Ultra will do your pet some good.
Things we like
- The three sources of protein used.
- The super-foods that this meal contains have antioxidants.
- The bag is affordable.
Things we didn’t like
- The meal is meant for adult dogs only.
- The price is steep for a 30lb bag.
The trio protein threat in this bag makes it a good choice for dog owners.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Light Dog Food – Immunity Boost
If your dog needs an immunity boost, then you may want to add this meal to your monthly shopping. With a blend of Vitamins C + T, your dog will be receiving enough nutrients to give it a healthy shiny coat.
The maker uses either of these three as main ingredients; real chicken, lamb or salmon protein, and so the quality of your dog food is assured. A bag does not cost too much and the ingredients are allergen-free.
Things we like
- The manufacturer uses real protein and vegetables.
- The price is reasonable.
- A blend of vitamins for more benefits.
Things we didn’t like
- We are not sure of the protein content.
- Only available in 2 sizes; 5lbs and 33lbs.
This brand of dog food is simple yet it has the main nutrients that an aging dog needs.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Although all these brands of meals are some great low protein dog food, we have to pick Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural as our preferred winner, thanks to its high-quality ingredients. The maker uses no artificial coloring or flavors, and the simplicity makes it easy to identify an allergen should it occur.