The recommended protein range for healthy puppy growth is 22-32% on a dry matter basis. These levels support optimal growth, so it is not recommended to exceed these protein levels. Nutritional formulations for adult dogs should not be fed to growing puppies.
Do puppies need high protein?
Puppies. Complete and balanced dog foods are formulated to provide adult dogs with adequate dietary protein and amino acids (the building blocks of protein) to support their maintenance needs. Growing puppies, however, require extra dietary protein while they grow and develop.
How much is too much protein in puppy food?
Using this information, AAFCO, the organization that provides standards and nutrient profiles for pet foods, has set the minimum protein content for adult dog foods at 18 percent in a food containing 4000 kcals/kg. For growing puppies, the minimum is 22.5 percent.
How much protein and fat does a puppy need?
More specifically, puppy food must have a dry matter minimum of 22.5% protein and 8.5% fat, compared to minimum 18% protein and 5.5% fat for adult dogs. Many dog food brands will cut the amount of protein and fat in their adult formulas because nutritionally-dense ingredients are expensive.
Is 30 protein too much for a puppy?
Food with more than 30% protein is considered high. Food containing between 21% – 29% are considered moderate. Food with less than 20% protein is low and is usually only available by prescription for those dogs who have medical issues that dictate that they need a particularly low protein diet.
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