Low Protein Dog Food

Low Protein Food and Canine Low Protein Diet

Low protein dog food can be very important in some situations. In a normal and healthy dog it is not necessary to be concerned about high protein content.

When to use low protein canine food diet and when not to I will explain to you here.

Proteins - Are They Really So Important?

Probably you know this already. Proteins are the building blocks of the body. They are composed of long chains of amino acids. These amino acids are like building blocks used to sustain and rebuild the body parts.

The protein chains are cut into smaller pieces in the gut. These small bits are transported true the intestinal wall and then used in production of hormones, transportation, in the immune system or as energy source.

Amino acids can be divided into essential and non-essential.

The essential amino acids can't the body produce itself. They are only coming from food.

Its therefore very important that the food contain these essential amino acids. If not, the body will lack vitality.

Break Down

Long protein chains enters the gut. In the gut different enzymes are cutting the chains into smaller parts. Some of these longer are smaller amino acid chains sometimes can create allergy reactions.

This happens in dog food allergies.

I think this is the mechanism behind protein intoxication. I often hear this in my practice. "I have feed too much protein causing these skin reactions"

It is not because of too much protein. It's because of some kind unwanted "immunologic reaction" in the gut.

In a healthy dog, you cannot give too much protein.

When To Use Low Protein Dog Food

It is not necessary to give this diet in a normal healthy dog. A healthy dog can handle much protein without any health risks.

Excess protein and amino acids will be handled in the body in the liver and the kidneys. As all body processes this is quite complex. Very simplified, this is what could happen:

First the liver will take the nitrogen group and make it to urea.

The rest of the amino acid can be used as fuel and a source of energy. The liver can generate glucose from the amino acids or make fatty acids out of them.

Urea leaves body with the urine.