What is single-protein dog food – and what are the benefits?

Quick takeaways about single-protein dog food

• Single-protein dog food uses only one animal source.
• Trying different single-protein options can help you identify potential food intolerances.
• Single-protein food can also benefit fussy eaters.

 

If you have a dog with a sensitive stomach or a fussy eater on your hands, you’re probably familiar with trying to sleuth out what your dog can and can’t – or will and won’t – eat. Here’s where single-protein dog food can help.

“Containing just one source of animal protein, it helps you keep track of exactly what your dog is eating or what they refuse to touch,” says Melanie Sainsbury – our in-house veterinary nurse.

Single-protein dog food is not just for those with dietary needs, though – all pooches can benefit from it.

Read on to learn more, including how to work out which dog foods contain a single protein and how to use it as part of an exclusion diet.

 

What is single-protein dog food?

Single-protein dog food refers to the one animal source in the ingredients list. It can be any species of meat and/or offal, but common recipes include chicken, beef, lamb or duck.

Most of our 80/20 raw food recipes use just one type of meat, while our 60/40 recipes often mix chicken with another meat.

Your dog food will also contain plant proteins if it includes vegetables and fruit.

 

What are the key benefits?

Knowing exactly what your dog is eating is always best. Single-protein food helps you track how much of any particular protein source your dog has eaten while keeping an eye on quality and nutrition.

“Single-protein food can be super helpful when trying to identify intolerances or allergies,” says Melanie. “For example, if you have a feeling your dog might be allergic to beef, it’s easy to choose single-protein foods that just contain chicken, turkey, or lamb instead to see if they still react.”

For dogs recovering from an illness or health issue, single-protein foods can gently reset your pooch’s stomach as sometimes, they can be more easily digested than mixed-protein foods.

 

Can single-protein food help with allergies and sensitive stomachs?

Absolutely. “Food allergies can be caused by various ingredients but most commonly, a protein (meat) source,” says Melanie. “Single-protein food can help you eliminate potential culprits — mainly when used as part of the exclusion diet.”

Certain breeds of dogs, as well as older and younger dogs, can be vulnerable to food sensitivities. For more specific advice, read our guide on feeding dogs with allergies and intolerances.

 

What’s an exclusion diet, and how does it work?

“An exclusion diet is where you reduce what your dog eats to a few key ingredients,” says Melanie.

A recent study published in the Canadian Veterinarian Journal reiterated that elimination diets are the “gold standard” for identifying food intolerances.

It found that 50% of the 209 dogs participating had significantly reduced symptoms after 3 weeks.

When used over a few months, it’s a great way to build up a list of foods your pooch is comfortable eating and which foods to avoid.

 

How to try an exclusion diet

“To start, include just a single protein source in their diet — ideally something they have never eaten, such as an uncommon pet food protein like duck or rabbit,” says Melanie. Consider cutting out gluten and grains initially to help eliminate other potential triggers.

“Feed your dog your chosen protein at every meal for roughly 4 weeks. If their symptoms disappear during this period, you’ll have a good idea that your dog isn’t sensitive to that particular protein.”

“Don’t forget to change treat habits when performing an exclusion diet as these can also interfere if they are a different protein source.”

Gradually introduce different proteins one at a time for a few days, and if your dog continues to be symptom-free, you can continue adding new proteins and foods.

If an introduced protein source or other ingredient triggers a reaction, remove it from their diet and revert to their previous foods until symptoms disappear.

 

The power of keeping a food diary

“It’s a good idea to keep a diet diary of what foods are fed and when,” says Melanie. “These can be especially useful if any ‘accidents’ occur from other people feeding your dog or them snuffling something on a walk.”

 

How can I tell I’m buying single-protein dog food?

The packaging should clearly indicate whether you’ve picked up single-protein dog food – at Natures Menu, we clearly label it on the front.

That said, some packaging is different, so look carefully. While it might appear that a product only contains one protein, sometimes smaller amounts of other proteins are mixed and only mentioned in the ingredients list.

The label will also tell you if the food is complete, meaning it contains all the nutrients your pet needs. Or it will be labelled as complementary, which means your pet will need additional food to achieve that balanced diet.

Understanding common labelling language will help you decipher whether or not a food is single-protein. Pet food labelling falls under EU legislation, which requires brands to list all ingredients.

 

What are Natures Menu 60/40, 80/20 nuggets and minces?

We always use high quantities of top-quality raw meat in all our pet food recipes, whether single-protein or not.

All our products are clearly labelled, so picking the type of food you want should be trouble-free.

 

Complete and Balanced 80/20

Our 80/20 nuggets contain 80% meat and offal and 20% fruits, veg and superfoods. Many of these options are single proteins and are all no grain recipes.

 

Complete and Balanced 60/40

Our 60/40 nuggets are made from 60% meat & offal with 40% vegetables and brown rice. These recipes are all mixed proteins and all include chicken and a small amount of parboiled brown rice.

 

Ready to Mix

Our mince is made from 100% of the labelled protein, whether just one or a mix of two. These products require mixing with other ingredients of your choice and therefore, are ideal for use in your own homemade recipes.

 

The bottom line

Choosing single-protein, complete and balanced dog food is a great way to give your dog high-quality meals – full of the nutrients needed to stay healthy.

It also gives you real transparency about what they’re eating, enjoying, and might be sensitive to.

 

Single-protein dog food — FAQs

What’s the best single-protein food for dogs?

There are many good-quality single-protein foods on the market, including ours. Our complete and balanced 80% nuggets have single-protein options and are an easy-to-use, raw meal option.

Our Ready to Mix range also includes single-protein products that are great if you prefer to make your own dog food.

 

What’s the best meat to feed my dog?

Good quality chicken, beef, lamb and turkey are all excellent options for dogs. And so are more uncommon meats such as duck or rabbit.

However, while chicken is a lean meat, making it a good choice for dogs on a weight loss programme, it is one of the most common dog food allergies.

Whatever type of meat you choose, we think raw meat is best. It’s the closest replication of what your dog would eat naturally and doesn't lose any of the natural nutrients through the cooking process.

It’s also shown to help improve the consistency of dog poops, making them easier to pick up, and gives them a shiny coat to be proud of.

 

Is all raw dog food single protein?

No, it’s not. Raw dog food can use either a single protein or a combination. However, the meat source or sources should be clearly labelled.

 

Should I feed my dog a high-protein diet?

Protein encourages muscle development and supports your dog’s skin, immune system and coat, so it should be a major part of your dog’s diet.

A high protein diet is also good for dogs who need to manage their weight, senior dogs, puppies and really active dogs. Dogs who are nursing or pregnant should eat a high-protein, high-calorie, nutrient-dense diet.

 

Where can I get single-source protein food for my dog?

Natures Menu offers a selection of single-source protein foods, which you can order online and have delivered to your door via our personalised meal plans.

 

CTA: Try our personalised raw meal plans, which use high-quality raw ingredients to help keep your dog healthy and happy.