High Protein Dog Food — Buyer’s Guide, Comparison and Reviews

Just like us humans, dogs need a balanced diet to make sure they remain healthy and that their body is in good condition. However, some dogs could benefit from more protein on their plate. This is where high protein dog food can help.

Top High Protein Dog Food Comparison Table

High Protein Dog Food Buying Guide

Types of Protein

Dogs That Benefit From High Protein Dog Food

Dogs That Should Avoid High Protein Dog Food Diets

Benefits of High Protein Diet for Dogs

Drawbacks of a High Protein Dog Food Diet

The Best High Protein Dog Food

Conclusion

High Protein Diet for Dogs Frequently Asked Questions

TOP RECOMMENDED HIGH PROTEIN DOG FOOD

Taste of the Wild With Ancient Grains

Not only is this high protein dog food made up of alternative protein sources, but it also includes a mix of healthy grains for maximum natural nutrition. And, with a proprietary mix of dog-friendly probiotics, your pooch’s digestive system will also be taken care of.

High Protein Dog Food Buying Guide

Carbohydrates, fat, minerals, vitamins — nutrients that your dog needs to make up a well-balanced diet for your dog. And, let’s not forget protein — it’s also essential. But, did you know, some canines may benefit from consuming more of it than others? This is where high protein dog food could come in handy. 

So, if you’re curious to know how high protein diets help and whether it would benefit your dog or not, our guide will explain all.

Types of Protein

Believe it or not, there are actually different types of proteins out there, all of which can be beneficial to your furry friend. 

Animal Protein

This refers to lots of different animal-related sources, including:

• Poultry.
• Beef.
• Fish.
• Rabbit.
• Lamb.
• Pork.
• Organs — such as the heart, kidney, and liver.
• Eggs.
• Cheese.

Plant-Based Protein

Animal protein is not the only source of protein that can benefit your dog and their health. Plant-based proteins can be a good option if you have a dog with allergies.

• Soy.
• Quinoa.
• Buckwheat.
• Barley
• Oats.
• Chickpeas.
• Green Peas.

Dogs That Benefit From High Protein Dog Food

How much protein your pup needs is dependent on various factors — age, activity levels, size, state of health, and even breed can make a difference. If you’re considering changing your dog’s diet, you should chat with your vet beforehand.

That said, typically the following dogs are likely to gain from a high protein diet. 

Puppies 

Puppies’ growth rates vary, some will mature in around one year, and others may take two. Yet, watching your puppy transform into an adult has a lot to do with protein’s involvement. Hence, why they may need high protein dog food.

The AAFCO recommends that puppy food should contain around 22.5% protein. Anything 28% and upwards is considered high protein. Foods that cover ‘all life stages’ cater to puppies. 

Older Dogs

When dogs get older, they’ll need more protein in their diet to make sure that their body condition is at its ideal level. As dogs hit their later years muscle wastage is normal, which can hinder their ability to keep active.

Plus, senior dogs have a tougher time processing nutrients, so an extra injection of protein can provide a boost to their immunity — helping to fight off illness. 

The AAFCO recommends that adult/senior food should contain around 18% protein. Anything 28% and over is considered high protein.

Lactating or Gestating Dogs 

If your dog is expecting puppies, their diet should be higher in protein. The same applies to nursing dogs. 

But, protein isn’t the only thing you need to think about. You’ll also need to consider increasing their daily calorie intake and ensure their diet is nutrient-dense. Hence, it’s a good idea to ask your vet before changing the diet of your momma or momma-to-be dog.

High Energy/Working Dogs

If your dog is high energy — like the Vizsla, Boxer, or Weimaraner — they’ll need lots of exercise to keep those energy levels under control, thus more protein. Likewise, working dogs such as Huskies, Samoyeds, or Pulis will also benefit from more protein in their diets. These dogs spend most of their time doing strenuous activities, like herding or pulling sleds. 

When your pup is exercising their muscles break down. Protein encourages this muscle to rebuild and recover faster. And, it also provides another source of fuel. 

If working/high-energy dogs don’t get enough protein, muscle loss is likely, as is fatigue.  

Dogs That Should Avoid High Protein Dog Food Diets 

While a high-protein diet can definitely benefit some dogs, there are also canines that shouldn’t increase this macronutrient’s intake.

Sedentary Dogs

If your dog’s idea of exercise is a five-minute walk around the backyard, high-protein food won’t be a wise decision. In the same way, we humans have to watch our calorie intake — if the excess protein isn’t burned off, it could be stored as fat, and lead to a gain in weight. 

That said, if your dog is overweight, a high-protein diet combined with a reduction in calories, could help your dog lose weight. 

Dogs With Kidney Problems

If your dog has problems with their kidneys, you shouldn’t feed a high-protein diet. You could be inadvertently placing extra pressure on these organs. When a dog has an excess of protein in their system, the need to get rid of this falls to the kidneys to break it down and dispose of it.

Certain Large Breed Puppies

Puppies require protein to grow and develop at the correct rate. But when large breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, are fed a high-protein diet, this can cause them to develop too quickly and put on excessive weight. This can lead to joint and muscle problems later in life.

Benefits of High Protein Diet for Dogs

As we’ve seen, for certain dogs a high-protein diet can be very beneficial for your pup and can do so much good, often more than you realize. So, what are these benefits that we’re raving about? 

• Better skin health.
• Stronger immune system.
• Shinier coat.
• Better muscle growth. 
• Faster muscle recovery.
• Provides fuel.
• Weight loss (as part of a reduced calorie diet).

Drawbacks of a High Protein Dog Food Diet

As with any diet, there can also be disadvantages to feeding your dog a high-protein diet. These can include:

• Weight gain (in low-activity dogs).
• Strain on organs.
• Rapid growth.
• Issues with developing joints and muscles.

The Best High Protein Dog Food — Our Shortlist

This dry dog food is packed with 32% protein from roasted bison and venison to keep your dog in great health. Taste of the Wild raves about the fact that real meat is its number one ingredient, so you know your dog is always getting what’s best for them. 

Plus, real meat means high–quality protein sources, and there are so many benefits for your pup — like healthier joints, supporting bones, and strong muscles. But it doesn’t stop there because this food also has all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your dog’s coat, skin, and all-round health need. These come from superfoods and ancient grains. 

And, it includes a species-specific proprietary mix of prebiotics and probiotics. These help support your dog’s digestive and immune system but also keep your dog feeling healthy and happy. 

Pros

• Venison and bison — alternative proteins.
• Promotes healthier joints, bones, and strong muscles. 
• Contains probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidants. 

Cons

• Difficult to get the larger bags.

The main ingredient in this food is real chicken, so you already know you’re getting some decent protein there. And, with the inclusion of live probiotics included, which are super important for your dog’s growth and overall health.

Solid Gold has also included some amazing superfoods to assist with your dog’s overall health and well-being. These include cranberries, pumpkin, turmeric, and chia seeds. 

Their digestive system is well looked after with natural prebiotic fiber that promotes specific intestinal bacteria as well as live probiotics. This is also a super digestible food, which means your pup is getting all the goodness they need, and it’s really easy for them to get that in every bite!

Pros

• Contains real chicken.
• Live probiotics.
• Supports healthy skin and coat.

Cons

• Large-sized kibble — may be too big for small breeds.

This is another dry dog food that’s packed with amazing whole-prey ingredients like chicken, turkey, and fish. 

Around 85% of this product is derived from animal ingredients and the main ones are either fresh or raw, so you can only imagine the levels of protein that are included — a whopping 38% in total. As well as this, this food also contains bone and organs, which add even more protein.

This food is also grain-free, so you know it’s not full of fillers, which means it’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction. 

In addition to all that protein, there are also antioxidants and vitamin E to help with a healthy immune system, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics to support a healthy digestive system.

Pros

• Animal ingredients make up 85%.
• No cheap fillers.
• Less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Cons

• Unpleasant smell.

It can be quite tricky to find a food that meets the needs of working canines. But this high protein dog food is specifically designed for those pups who thrive on getting down and getting the job done no matter what.

Dr Tim’s is a dry food packed with 30% protein derived from 86% meat-based sources. It also contains a vitamin and mineral blend to keep your herding, hunting, sporting, or water dog on top performance.

Working canines take a toll on their skin, coats, and pads, which is why the brand has included biotin and zinc into their formula — to keep these parts of your dog as healthy as the rest. 

Pre and probiotics will balance your dog’s digestive system, and antioxidants look after and support a healthy immune system.

Pros

• Free of corn, soy, and wheat.
• Great for working dogs.
• Contains probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidants.

Cons

• Bag isn’t resealable.

Almost three-quarters of this dry food is made up of animal ingredients — the first four being fresh or raw chicken, turkey, chicken liver, and turkey giblets. And it’s packed with 33% protein. The remaining quarter is vegetables, botanicals, and nutrients, so that your dog gets everything they need. 

These ingredients help your dog feel amazing as it helps keep their skin and coat healthy, immune and digestive system on track, and joints and bones strong. 

The food itself is freeze-dry coated to give it the meaty taste that dogs crave. There are also no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, so your dog probably won’t be feeling as lethargic. This is also helped by the fact that the product includes no grains or unnecessary fillers. 

Prebiotics and fiber are also there to support your dog’s digestive system. And, as the kibble isn’t massive, it’s bite-sized small enough for small breeds to enjoy.

Pros

• Freeze-dried coated.
• Has a meaty taste that dogs love.
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Cons

• Bags don’t seal well, food could become stale.

If you have a constantly-on-the-go canine, this high protein dog food from Diamond Naturals could fit the bill. 

Made specifically for the needs of high-energy dogs. It’s packed with superfoods like blueberries, kale, and spinach that provide your dog with the nutrients to keep up their active lifestyle. 

Chicken and egg make up 91% of this food’s 32% protein, but it also contains plant-based proteins, such as chia seeds and quinoa. Plus, on the label, you’ll find omega-3 and 6 to ensure their skin and coat are in the best possible condition. 

There are also canine-specific proprietary probiotics as well as prebiotics and antioxidants, which help keep your dog’s immune and digestive systems healthy. 

High energy dogs’ joints are prone to wear and tear, simply because of how active they are. Hence, Diamond Naturals includes glucosamine and chondroitin to help boost the health of bones and cartilage in these high-movement areas.

Pros

• Rich in superfoods.
• 91% of the protein comes from chicken and egg.
• Includes joint-preserving nutrients.

Cons

• Can make your dog quite gassy.

Nature’s Logic is proud to be a brand that uses an all-natural recipe rather than chemicals and lab-grown ones. And, instead of including your typical man-made vitamins and minerals, the brand uses dried foods — from alfalfa and kelp through to blueberries and apricots. 

With 85% of its protein coming from animal sources, each serving provides a minimum of 36% protein. 

Nature’s Logic is also free from wheat, corn, soy, and potato, as well as gluten-free, thanks to using millet, so ideal if your dog has food allergies or food intolerances. This food is also full of probiotics and enzymes that help look after their digestive system.

Pros

• Suitable for dogs of all life stages.
• Zero chemicals or lab-grown ingredients.
• MSG-free food.

Cons

• Can cause excessive gas in some dogs.

If your dog doesn’t like or needs to steer clear of poultry, take a look at Merricks Backcountry Raw Infused high protein dog food, with a protein content of 38%. The main ingredient in this product is deboned beef, which is a great protein source for your pups. This will help with the development of healthy muscles as well as bones, immune and digestive systems, and keep their energy levels up.

There are also freeze-dried pieces of raw meat mixed into the kibble, which provide so much nutrition to keep your dog feeling their best. They’re also easily digestible and taste amazing, so they’ll be a little treat for your pup. 

What’s more, you won’t have to worry about their skin or coat getting dull or itchy because this food is also rich in omegas to help out with that. Plus, it’s free from grains, a common allergen in dogs. There are also high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, which help keep bones and joints nice and healthy.

Pros

• Helps develop healthy muscles.
• Includes freeze-dried pieces.
• Poultry free.

Cons

• Adults only — not suitable for puppies.

Conclusion

As pet parents, we want the best for our furry children. But finding the right food can often be tricky. You need to take into account age, activity levels, and general health to ensure your furry friend is getting adequate nutrition to meet their needs. 

But with the benefits of improved skin condition, a strong immune system, a healthier coat, and supporting active dogs — extra protein is worth considering for certain canines.

In short, feeding a high protein dog food to your furry friend is a convenient and relatively simple way of improving their life — while also helping with any conditions such as allergies or intolerances they may be suffering from.

High Protein Diet for Dogs FAQs 

Is High Protein Dog Food Good for Dogs?

Feeding a dog a high protein diet can have loads of health benefits and is recommended by vets:

• Increases muscle mass.
• Healthier skin and coat.
• Strong immune system.
• Improved skin health.

What High Protein Canned Dog Food Is There?

There is a wide range of high protein wet dog food available. Many of the brands we’ve covered in this article also produce wet food formats. For example:

• Merrick Wet Dog Food.
• ACANA Premium Chunks.

What Can I Add to My Dog’s Food for Protein? 

If you want to add some protein to your dog’s food, there are plenty of options. Here are a few ideas:

• Raw or lightly cooked eggs.
• High-quality meat source — turkey, lamb, goat, venison, etc.
• Fish — salmon, mackerel, and white fish.
• Cottage cheese.
• Soy.
• Chickpeas.

Remember that before we domesticated dogs, they evolved to eat a diet with 50% protein, which they got from their prey — so you can easily add this to your pup’s diet. 

How Will I Know If My Dog Needs More Protein? 

The symptoms of protein deficiency and the lack of amino acids in your dog’s system will be quite obvious. But, symptoms will vary depending on what particular amino acid your dog is missing in their diet. Common signs are:

• Reduced growth rate.
• Poor coat condition.
• Bristle-like hair.

If your dog appears to be suffering from any of these, have a chat with your vet to see what you can do. 

Is Canned Tuna a Good Idea for Dogs? 

In moderation. 

Dogs tend to like fish, and very few are allergic to it, but try not to make this a constant addition to your dog’s diet. Tuna is high in salt and mercury. Tuna canned in spring water is by far the best option, and can be a great way to get some more protein in your pup’s diet.

What Is the Easiest Protein for My Dog To Digest? 

The easiest protein for your dog to digest — as long as they are not allergic to them — would be chicken breasts or boiled lean turkey. These meats also contain a decent level of protein, so if your dog has a sensitive stomach and needs something that’s digested easily, these are worth trying. 

Do Active Dogs Need More Protein?

Yes, if you have a particularly active dog, they will require more protein than a sedentary one. They need this protein to repair and grow their muscles. You could also use high protein dog treats as a way to increase their protein intake.

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