Best High Protein Dog Food for 2023. In the world of canine nutrition, the importance of providing your four-legged friend with the right high-protein dog food cannot be overstated. High-protein dog foods have gained popularity over the years for their ability to promote muscle growth and overall health in dogs of various life stages and breeds. But how do you choose the best high-protein dog food for your beloved pet? That's where we come in. The Dog Food Advisor is here to provide you with comprehensive insights into the top high-protein dog food brands for 2023.
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| Best High Protein Dog Food for 2023. |
What Is High Protein Dog Food?
Before we delve into our top picks for high-protein dog foods, it's essential to understand what high-protein dog food is all about. Most dry dog foods typically contain between 23 to 27 percent protein, while wet dog food options usually have a bit more. To accurately compare the protein content of different dog food recipes, we remove the water content from each recipe. Any dog food containing over 28% protein is considered "high in protein" according to our rating system.
Life Stage and High Protein
It's crucial to consider your dog's life stage when choosing high-protein dog food. High-protein recipes are especially beneficial for active and athletic dogs and seniors. These dogs often need more protein to maintain muscle mass and overall health. However, it's important to be cautious if you have an older dog with kidney disease, as high-protein diets may not be suitable for them.
Caution - Legume-Heavy Recipes
We also take into account the ingredients in these high-protein dog foods. Some high-protein recipes contain legumes (such as peas and lentils) within their first five ingredients. Due to concerns about a potential link to heart disease in dogs, we've excluded high-protein recipes with legumes from our list.
Now, let's explore the top high protein dog food brands for 2023.
The Top High-Protein high-protein Dog Food Brands for 2023
1. We Feed Raw Turkey Patty
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Turkey tails, turkey gizzards, turkey wings, turkey liver, or vitamin + mineral mix
- *Type:* Grain-free
- *Profile:* All Life Stages
- *Best for:* All dogs
We Feed Raw Turkey Patty is a fantastic choice for dogs. This recipe derives the majority of its animal protein from turkey and boasts an impressive 49% protein content, 25% fat, and 18% estimated carbs. This balanced fat-to-protein ratio of about 52% makes it an excellent option for a variety of dogs, from puppies to seniors.
Sample buyer review: "I have been feeding my dogs We Feed Raw for 3 years now, and they love their food, their coats are always shining. They are active, happy, healthy dogs."
2. Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains High Protein
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5Ingredients:* Salmon, salmon meal, ocean fish meal, grain sorghum, millet
- *Type:* Grain-inclusive (sorghum, millet, barley, rice)
- *Profile:* All Life Stages
- *Best for:* All dogs (including large breed puppies)
Taste of the Wild Ancient Streams is a top choice among high-protein dog foods. It gets most of its animal protein from fresh salmon and fish meals, offering a balanced 33% protein, 17% fat, and 42% estimated carbs. This results in a favorable fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Sample buyer review: "Being in the K9 industry for the past 10 years, TotW is one food that's always reliable. I recommend it for working dogs and family pets alike."
3. Raised Right Fresh Human-Grade Dog Food
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries
- *Type:* Grain-free (carrots, cranberries)
- *Profile:* Maintenance
- *Best for:* Adult dogs
Raised Right Fresh Human-Grade Dog Food is a top choice for adult dogs. This recipe obtains the better part of its animal protein from beef and offers a remarkable 61% protein content, 24% fat, and 8% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.
Sample buyer review: "Raised Right Beef is the perfect food for my dog. She loves the taste, and I love there is finally something she can eat with all her food sensitivities."
4. Orijen High Protein Dry Dog Food
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Chicken, turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, chicken liver
- *Type:* Grain-free (lentils, pinto beans)
- *Profile:* All Life Stages
- *Best for:* Adults and puppies (including large breeds)
Orijen Original is a high-protein dog food that derives the better part of its animal protein from fresh chicken, turkey, flounder, and whole mackerel. It offers 43% protein, 20% fat, and 28% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Sample buyer review: "A few months ago I adopted a 14-month-old Labradoodle, and I have had a difficult time getting weight on her because she just isn't interested in eating. This dog food has helped tremendously!"
5. Dr. Tim's Pursuit Active Dog High Protein Recipe
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole oat groats, dried beet pulp (sugar removed)
- *Type:* Grain-inclusive (brown rice, whole oat groats)
- *Profile:* All Life Stages
- *Best for* Adult and small or medium breed puppies
Dr. Tim's Pursuit Active Dog is a top choice for active dogs. This recipe derives the better part of its meat protein from chicken meal, offering 33% protein, 22% fat, and 36% estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
Sample buyer review: "My English setter, a Llewelyn has been on Dr. Tim's Pursuit dog food since she was a puppy, over ten years ago. She is a very active dog and thrives on this food. She has been very healthy."
6. Acana Highest Protein Formula
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken liver, turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), chicken meal
- *Type:* Grain-free (lentils, pinto beans)
- *Profile:* All Life Stages
- *Best for:* Adults and puppies (including large breeds)
Acana Meadowland is an exceptional grain-free kibble that provides balanced nutrition with 38% protein, 19% fat, and 35% estimated carbs. It offers a favorable fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
Sample buyer review: "I have a very fussy fur son. There are about 2 or 3 foods he will eat without turning his nose up and walking away. Acana I have had EXCELLENT results with all blends!"
7. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains High Protein Formula
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
- *Type:* Grain-inclusive (rice, barley, oatmeal)
- *Profile:* Growth
- *Best for:* All puppies (including large breed puppies)
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy is a top-rated dry puppy food that's based on a safe, proven grain-inclusive design. It contains 31% protein, 18% fat, and 43% estimated carbs, yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Sample buyer review: "After weeks of searching for reliable dog food for our toy poodle puppy, we finally found Merrick. He is healthy and has so much energy."
8. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Chicken meal, chicken, ground white rice, chicken fat, cracked pearled barley
- *Type:* Grain-inclusive (ground white rice, barley)
- *Profile:* Maintenance
- *Best for:* Adult dogs
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete is an exceptional grain-inclusive formula, that offers multiple recipe and flavor options. It contains 36% protein, 28% fat, and 29% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
Sample buyer review: "Dogs love it, and do great. I've tried several types of foods but always come back to this. It also makes my dogs' coats shiny and keeps a good weight on them."
9. Nature's Logic High Protein Dog Food
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Chicken meal, millet, chicken fat, pumpkin seed, yeast culture
- *Type:* Grain-inclusive (millet)
- *Profile:* All Life Stages
- *Best for:* Puppies and Adult dogs
Nature's Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast is a top choice that meets AAFCO nutrient guidelines using actual real-live canine feeding trials. It offers 40% protein, 16% fat, and 36% estimated carbs, delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 42%.
Sample buyer review: "I have been looking for a more natural dry food with some greens and fruits. I have used this product in the frozen form, and was pleased to find it also as a dry food."
10. Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus High Protein Dog Food
- *Rating:* Outstanding
- *First 5 Ingredients:* Beef meal, grain sorghum, chicken fat, pork meal, chicken meal
- *Type:* Grain-inclusive (sorghum)
- *Profile:* All Life Stages
- *Best for* Adult and small or medium breed puppies
Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus is a classic, fully high high-protein recipe with 33% protein, 22% fat, and 37% estimated carbs, creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
Sample buyer review: "Our breed recommended this dog food, and our Goldendoodle has been on this food for over a year now. He absolutely loves his food."
More Top Picks
For a wider selection of high-protein dog food recipes to suit your specific needs, visit our website. We provide information on the best puppy foods, small-breed puppy foods, large-breed puppy foods, dry puppy foods, wet puppy foods, and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to high-protein dog food, we understand that pet owners have questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about choosing and feeding high-protein dog food:
How can I transition to a high-protein diet without making my dog sick?
To transition your dog to a high protein diet without causing any issues, it's best to do so gradually. Start by mixing 20% of the "new" high protein recipe with your pet's "old" food. Slowly increase the new food to a full 100% over the following eight days. This gentle transition can help prevent digestive upset.
Do high protein diets cause kidney disease in dogs?
No, high-protein diets do not cause kidney disease in healthy dogs. Scientific evidence has debunked the myth that high-protein diets are harmful. However, if your dog has been diagnosed with kidney disease, consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes.
Do high protein diets cause hip disease in dogs?
Hip disease in larger breeds is linked to genetics, excessive dietary calcium, or overfeeding during the puppy phase. If you have a large breed puppy, choose a balanced diet specifically designed for them.
Are high-protein diets good for overweight dogs?
For overweight dogs, a reduced-calorie, high-protein dog food can be an excellent option. Recent research suggests that feeding overweight dogs a diet high in protein can help with weight loss by burning fat and calories and keeping them satisfied longer.
In conclusion,
choosing the best high-protein dog food for your furry friend is a critical decision. The Dog Food Advisor is here to guide you with our top-rated selections. Remember to consider your dog's specific needs and consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns. Your pet's health and happiness are of the utmost importance, and a well-balanced, high-protein diet can contribute significantly to their overall well-being.
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