How Much Protein Should a Dog Have Daily?

Amount of Protein

The amount of protein your dog needs in his diet depends on his overall stage of life and lifestyle.

Dogs get most of their energy from carbohydrates and healthy fats. In Purina dog foods, protein makes up between 20 and 35 percent of the metabolizable energy they need. Purina formulates complete and balanced dog foods with the levels of dietary protein appropriate for a dog’s life stage and lifestyle.

Quality Protein

Protein in dog food should be of high quality for easy digestion and for nutritional health. High quality proteins used in Purina dog foods come from animal sources, healthy grains and oilseeds.

Protein and Stage of Life

Your dog needs different amounts of protein at different stages of his life. Purina puppy foods provide a minimum of 25 percent of metabolizable energy as protein, whereas a maintenance diet provides a minimum of 20 percent. Foods formulated for senior dogs, who need higher amounts of protein to maximize their lean body mass, provide a minimum of 27 percent protein.

Protein for Weight Loss                     

Studies have shown that increasing dietary protein during weight loss helps maintain lean body mass while facilitating loss of fat. Dietary protein also helps your dog burn more calories after he eats.

Purina dog foods formulated for a dog’s life stage, lifestyle, and weight will provide him with the correct amount of healthy protein he needs.