Based on our research, feeding an overweight dog a diet with higher amounts of protein can help burn fat and calories, helping to facilitate weight loss. You may also notice that, when feeding your dog a reduced-calorie food, feeding one that is high in protein may help your dog feel satisfied longer.
Is high-protein food better for dogs?
Research has shown that dogs fed a higher protein diet with lower carbohydrates lost more weight. In these studies, dogs also maintained their lean muscle mass while losing fat, leading to overall improved body composition than dogs fed a high carbohydrate, low protein diet.
What happens if a dog has too much protein?
Excess protein is stored in the body as fat, so today's high-protein, dense pet foods could be contributing to rising pet obesity if pet owners overfeed them. Or, excess protein — or again, the amino acids in it — is excreted as nitrogen, which can be harmful to the environment.
What is considered high-protein dog food?
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.
Does high-protein dog food cause weight gain?
The best formulas of dog food to gain weight have high levels of calories and protein. Consider switching to a dog food like Purina ONE® SmartBlend® True Instinct Nutrient-Dense Adult Formulas, which have 30% protein, 17% fat and real meat as the #1 ingredient.
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