Topical reviewPet Food Safety: Dietary Protein
Section snippets
Remembering the Basics: Protein Metabolism
Dietary protein is predominantly a source of essential and nonessential amino acids. All proteins, whether dietary or endogenous, are made from the same 20 alpha amino acids. Ten of these, the essential amino acids, must be provided in the diet. The other 10 also are essential to the body for normal protein metabolism, but these can be produced endogenously via transamination, so are not considered dietary essentials. In addition to these, the beta amino acid taurine—which is not incorporated
What Are Minimum Protein Requirements?
Minimum nutrient requirements are defined as the lowest intake that will support normal function, such as maximal growth rates or prevention of deficiency signs. The minimum protein requirement for adults is typically defined, using a nitrogen balance study, as the smallest amount of a good quality protein that will maintain the subject in positive nitrogen balance after they have been allowed to accommodate to a low protein intake.3, 6 However, nitrogen balance does not account for changes in
What Is the Role of Protein Restriction in the Prevention and Management of Kidney Failure?
The primary concern regarding excess dietary protein has focused on the potential impact on kidney function. It was suggested by Brenner and coworkers that excess dietary protein would cause kidney damage, based on work in rats.16 While subsequent research suggested that the benefits attributed to protein restriction may have been secondary to the reduced calorie intake associated with low protein diets,17 the perception that excessive protein intake causes kidney damage remains.18 As noted
Safety of Protein for Senior Dogs
Many veterinarians have recommended protein restriction for older dogs in the belief that this would help protect kidney function.18 As identified above, this belief is unfounded. More recent research has unequivocally demonstrated that protein restriction is unnecessary, and potentially detrimental, in healthy, older dogs.7, 20, 41, 42 On the contrary, protein requirements actually increase by about 50% in older dogs, as noted previously.7
When dietary protein intake is insufficient, the body
Summary and Conclusions
Based on a comprehensive review, there remains no evidence that dietary protein causes kidney damage, or any other adverse effects, in healthy dogs. Even in dogs with chronic kidney disease, dietary protein does not appear to contribute to kidney damage. However, in chronic kidney disease, there can be an accumulation of byproducts of protein metabolism, which may contribute to uremic signs. Hence, in these patients, dietary protein restriction may be of benefit. On the other hand, dietary
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