High Protein Dog Food for Puppies

High protein dog food can be recommended in a number of instances, especially during puppyhood and when the dog is recovering. Dogs that are highly active or are working dogs should also receive a high protein diet. In puppies, the amount of proteins in the diet should be higher than in adult dogs, as puppies need to develop.

Protein Requirements for Puppies

Canines need proteins on a daily basis and this is provided from meats in most cases. The percentage of proteins in the dog’s diet will depend on a number of factors such as age, energy level or health condition.

Puppies will require approximately 28% proteins in their daily diet, but this may vary according to the puppy’s breed as well. However, if you get a food that contains between 25% and 30% proteins, this should cater for the puppy’s needs.

The amount of proteins can be changed on a monthly basis.

However, you have to pay attention to the labels, as certain producers will list the amount of proteins used prior to the manufacturing process. During the manufacturing process, around 10% of the used proteins can be lost, so for example, if you read that a product contains 25% proteins, the exact amount may be around 22, 5%.

An adult dog will require only 18% of proteins in their diet.

When to Switch to Lower Protein Diet

The transition to a lower amount of proteins in the diet should be made when the vet recommends it, or when the dog has reached maturity (which typically happens at 6 months in most dogs and at 12 to 18 months when the dog belongs to a large breed).

When the puppy switches from a high protein food to a food that contains only 18% or 20% proteins, there may be digestive problems. You need to make a gradual transition and consult the vet if there a symptoms that persist for over 2 days.

Other Uses of High Protein Dog Food

Food that is high in protein content is not only used in puppies, as it can have benefits for other dogs as well:

  • Recovering dogs, after an illness or a surgery
  • Dogs that are affected by a chronic disease
  • Dogs that are used to hunt or performance dogs

Disadvantages of High Protein Dog Food

The high protein dog food can cause a number of problems in a healthy dog or puppy and for this reason the amount of proteins should always be monitored.

The problems that may be caused by an excess of proteins in the diet include:

  • Abnormal development
  • Kidney disease, as the kidneys may have a difficult time filtering the high amount of proteins
  • Liver disease

In addition, the puppy may have a lot of extra energy, so he may be hyperactive, spending his energy on activities that may not be healthy for him or may destroy your home.

 

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