The Best High Protein Dog Food in 2022

While you would think that the easiest way to decide on what makes the best high protein dog food would be the amount of meat used in the production, you’d be wrong. Thanks to marketing ploys and sneaky manufacturers, the ingredients listed on the back of your dog food don’t necessarily have to be as plain as you’d think.

You might be aware of this since the same tricks are used in human food as is used in animal food- but, depending on the wording used on the labels, you might not be getting what you pay for when it comes to your dog’s dinner. For example, a “chicken formula” might be made up with only 7% chicken within the production- and that’s not including the added water, which doesn’t need to be listed on the ingredients.

Still not sure how that pans out? Let me explain:

In order to be called a “formula”, the manufacturer needs to add in at least 25% of chicken to the overall ingredients- in terms of weight. However, because their chicken may be pumped with salts and water, 70% of the weight of the chicken will actually dry up as the food is processed. Whatever is left will make up the ACTUAL chicken intake- but the weight at the time of manufacturing will have changed from the final product. Sneaky.

Of course, the above is actually quite standard across the board and, when you see what other companies do to work around their regulators, this is actually pretty tame. Naturally, this makes it really difficult for buyers to distinguish between what food is actually made up with a good dose of protein, and what just says it is on the label. There’s more info available on this, so we’ll focus on what you should look for in order to choose high-quality dog food.

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Reading the label is the best way to ensure you’re getting the best high protein puppy food- with ingredient lists beginning with the heaviest item first. Of course, as we’ve already mentioned, the dry weight will have more nutrition per pound than hydrated food- so chicken meal, for example, will have more protein, since this is chicken that has been dehydrated (the same goes for all meat and fish products). Thus, high protein dry dog food will have more protein than high protein wet dog food.

You should also check the guaranteed analysis of ingredients, which should give you exact percentages of each amount used per ingredient, in regard to the ingredients as a whole. This should give you a better idea of the dog with the most protein, per serving.

Finally, keep an eye on the wording, anything that says “formula” has to have between 25% and 95% of the main ingredient (watch out for the sneaky ones!). Meanwhile, something that says something in plain terms, such as “a lamb for dogs” has to be made up of at least 95% of the main ingredient, stated on the label.

Remember that a high protein diet for dogs can come with a list of pros and cons, and depends entirely on how active your dog is, along with their breed and metabolism. So, be sure that your dog will respond well to a high protein diet by taking their age, breed and the amount of exercise your dog does on an average day into account before investing in protein for dogs.

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You’re only likely to see the advantages of a high protein diet if your dog has the lifestyle to match. That said, for those dogs who fall under the right categories (which are mentioned, below), you can see some huge benefits to switching to a high protein diet for your dog, which include:

• Muscle development

Since protein feeds your muscles, you can see a huge improvement in the health of your dog’s musculature if you switch over to a high protein diet. This is great for dogs who love to run around all day or for those who take part in agility or flyball.

• Fat loss

As long as you go for the low calorie, high protein dog food, you will notice a difference in your dog’s weight, through using a high protein diet. This is because the extra muscle your dog is likely to build, along with the reduced caloric intake, will allow your dog to burn through the fat used in their diet, resulting in overall fat loss.

• Decreased appetite

Since your dog will have a more complete nutritional program, you’ll likely notice that your dog is less likely to ask for a refill in their food bowl. The higher proteins keep their muscles fed, which in turn leads to an overall decrease in appetite.

• Increased alertness

Since protein-based diets for dogs are less likely to be packed with carbs, you’ll probably notice that your dog doesn’t feel so lethargic (as carbs make you more likely to feel drowsy and put on weight). The overall alertness of your dog will increase during the day, meaning your dog will sleep better at night, too.

• Better quality of life

All of the above, combined, lead to a better quality of life- free from as many food-related illnesses such as obesity and with strong, healthy muscles that can support your dog well into old age.

Absolutely. Just like any animal, a healthy diet consists of great food, made from great ingredients and given in moderation.  Despite many modern marketing tactics cashing in on the idea that dogs are carnivores, the truth is actually very different.

Dogs are omnivores, and their diet needs both meat and vegetable-based nutrients to live a long, happy and healthy life. In order to meet these needs, dogs require a healthy dose of proteins, without being excessive. Since protein requires a good amount of carbohydrates and fats to help the body absorb their protein, you may notice that a lot of dog food that is high in protein, can also be high in calories- which means your dog is likely to put on weight with these ingredients.

Naturally, any extra weight can be very bad for your dog and lead to a range of health problems from arthritis to heart issues. Therefore, if you’re looking for a good high protein dog food- like the ones in our top picks- you’ll need one that has been formulated either for a very active dog, or one that comes with low calories.

If your dog falls under one of the following categories, you’ll likely see some huge benefits to feeding your dog a high protein diet:

• Dogs with weight problems

If your dog has started to put on a few pounds, it might be time to switch them to a high protein, a low-calorie diet that will allow them to shed the weight and keep their joints and overall health in top condition. The added protein will also help to curb their appetite, so you may notice Fido is less likely to request a full bowl, once they start their new diet. Head over to our review of dog food for weight loss for more options.

• Older dogs

Dog food designed for elderly or senior dogs usually come with added protein- but it still might not quite be enough to manage the overall wellbeing of your pup. Having high protein dog food helps to keep your dog’s overall body shape in a much healthier condition- feeding their muscles well into old age while supporting their joints. Find out more about senior dog food here.

• Athletic dogs

The biggest example of the more athletic breeds is the border collie- designed to spend all day running around, herding sheep, this is a breed that will have boundless energy and can become bored very easily. Of course, all that energy needs to be fed, so as to avoid any health problems, later.

The amino acids available in high protein food for dogs help to feed these muscles and keep your dog going for longer. In the same way that human athletes require a high protein diet to keep their muscles healthy, an athletic dog will need an increased supply of protein to keep themselves in the best condition they can be in.

• Puppies

Since young dogs require extra protein to feed their system as they grow and develop into our beautiful canine companions, high protein puppy food can easily cater to this need. Just be sure that you’re also giving them a healthy diet in every aspect, as they grow and try not to focus too much on protein alone. For a wider selection of choices, check out our puppy food guide.

• Pregnant and lactating dogs

It’s hard work, creating tiny versions of yourself. It’s always best to discuss your pregnant or lactating dogs’ nutritional needs with your vet before changing their food but, if you’re given the go-ahead, high protein dog food can be a huge benefit to their overall health. During this time, a nutrient-dense diet is preferred, and high protein dog food tends to be geared toward giving your dog the best nutritional value, per serving.

With the ability to meet every nutritional need your dog could ever possibly want, Wilderness by Blue Buffalo easily topped out list. This grain-free, natural adult dry dog food has been created with high-quality ingredients to ensure your dog gets the best available to them, at every meal time.

Made up of both meat meal and vegetables, with no hidden nasties and made with completely natural ingredients, it’s no wonder that this is a choice that is loved by customers, who can’t recommend this brand highly enough. Not to mention that dogs love the taste and their bodies look and feel so much healthier, thanks to the best quality high protein dog food on the market!