is hydrolyzed dog food bad
What Is Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food? Pros, Cons, & FAQ
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreIf your dog is allergic to proteins or struggles with inflammatory bowel disease, youve probably heard abouthydrolyzed protein dog food. Meat is one of the most commonallergens1found in dog food which often leads to itchiness and upset stomachs. The bodies of allergic dogs mistake the proteins as a threat and attack them, resulting in an allergic reaction.
However, these ingredients also provide your dog with complete proteins that contain amino acids that help their bodies function, provide them with energy, and keep them healthyand are therefore a crucial part of their diet.
Hydrolyzed protein dog food is a great alternative food for dogs with certain health problems because its made with proteins that have undergone a process in which theyve been broken down into tiny molecules that are too small to be identified by the immune system and, therefore, no allergic reaction occurs.
How Does It Work?
As we mentioned above, hydrolyzed protein dog food doesnt contain the full-form protein that is found in most dog food but rather tiny molecules of protein that are too small to be identified by the body. Thanks to science, the necessary protein your dog needs in their food can be hydrolyzed, which typically involves water and hydrochloric acid or proteolytic enzymes to break the protein peptide bonds apart to form single amino acids.
These two processes affect the breakdown of protein in a similar way that a dogs digestive system would break protein down. The protein strands can be broken down into smaller strand sizes or completely isolated to individual amino acids. Its a complex process, but it is approved by the FDA.
This type of dog food is necessary for dogs that cant digest protein well, as the protein has already been broken down and their digestive system doesnt have to do much work.
Novel Protein, Limited Ingredient, or Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
Dogs with protein allergies are often allergic to chicken, lamb, beef, and fish because these are most commonly found in dog food. Its unlikely for a dog to be triggered by these animal proteins at first, but after eating the same diet over time, they may develop symptoms such as itchiness, hair loss, infections, vomiting, and diarrhea. This reaction can sometimes be eliminated by changing their dog food to one that contains novel protein instead of the protein theyve always consumed.
Often, before starting on hydrolyzed protein dog food, dog owners will buy dog food with a novel protein, such as kangaroo, venison, alligator, ostrich, etc., but if their body still reacts poorly to these animal proteins, theyll need something more radical.
A limited ingredient recipe may be all your dog needs to overcome their symptoms as these recipes cut out common allergens found in dog foodbut it may not be enough for your dog, and they may need to be transitioned onto hydrolyzed protein dog food to eliminate the threat altogether.
Both limited-ingredient and novel protein dog food can be bought at pet stores or specialty retailer stores without a prescription, while hydrolyzed protein dog food can only be purchased with a prescription from your vet. You should discuss any illness and food changes with your vet beforehand.
What Types of Dogs Do Best on Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
Dogs with health issues that make digesting protein difficult will do best on hydrolyzed protein dog food. These conditions may be inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, or pancreatic disease. Dogs with food allergies should have mild to no reactions, and dogs with bowel problems should experience less bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Types of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Foods
There are many hydrolyzed protein dog food options across a variety of brands that work with nutritionists and food scientists to achieve their formulas. It is not necessary to feed your dog hydrolyzed protein if they havent been diagnosed with food allergies or digestive problems, as standard high-quality dog food is nutritionally balanced and complete and will give your dog everything they need.
You also dont need to feed your dog this type of food if their symptoms are mild or if they do well on novel proteins, limited ingredient diets, or any other diet that meets their nutritional needs. However, hydrolyzed protein diets are excellent for dogs who require italbeit more expensive and harder to get.
Royal Canin, Hills Science Diet, Purina, and several other brands cater to dogs with digestive issues. These recipes reduce reactions, such as skin itchiness, dull coat, and stomach upset due to the broken-down proteins. Most of them also include fibers and prebiotics to restore and maintain the gut with healthy bacteria.
Hydrolyzed protein dog food comes in two types: dry dog food and canned dog food.
A few excellent options of hydrolyzed protein dog foods are:
Advantages of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
There are many advantages to hydrolyzed protein dog food. It can reduce the symptoms and discomfort your dog faces on a daily basis caused by food allergens, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and inflammatory bowel disease. Because hydrolyzed protein is already broken down, their bodies dont have to work as hard to digest it, and its so small that the immune system doesnt recognize it as a threat.
Its a safe option for allergic dogs, and it not only reduces signs but can restore once itchy, dry, and dull skin and coats back to a healthy and shiny condition.
Another advantage to this food is that its made under strict conditions to prevent unwanted ingredients from contaminating the specialized food. By avoiding cross-contamination, you can easily pinpoint what causes your dogs allergic reactions and get answers faster.
Disadvantages of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Of course, nothing is perfect, and hydrolyzed protein dog food comes with a few disadvantages. The first is the price. Because of the extensive process and strict quality control this type of food undergoes, it is very expensive and costs more than many premium dog foods on the market. How long your dog may need to stay on the food is unknown and may ultimately become a bigger expense than you anticipated.
Unfortunately, some dogs still experience flare-ups on this specialized food. What works for someone elses dog may not work as well for yours. Your dog may also refuse to eat it, and youll lose a lot of money and still have your dogs condition to worry about. Some manufacturers offer a money-back guarantee if your dog will not eat their food.
Hydrolyzed protein is bitter in taste, and dog foods often contain artificial flavors to make them more appealingbut artificial flavors can cause allergies in some dogs.
And lastly, you need a prescription to be able to purchase the most hydrolyzed protein dog food, which requires a trip to your vet, which is an extra financial and time investment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Can My Dog Be on Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
Your dog will be on the food for a minimum of 612 weeks until their symptoms subside. After this period, you can start to introduce one protein source to their food. If they have a reaction to it, you know theyre allergic to that type of protein. This process can take time, but its important to work with your vet and follow their treatment advice when your dog is on this specialized food. It is an elimination diet that identifies which types of ingredients your dog is allergic to and can rule out environmental factors as the symptoms often mimic each other.
Can I Make It At Home?
Hydrolyzed protein dog food is expensive and wondering whether you can make it yourself at home is a reasonable question. But the food is so expensive for a reason, and thats because it undergoes a special process and must be made in the lab by professionals, using the correct chemicals and equipment. Its also made under strict conditions to avoid cross-contamination. Therefore, it cannot be made at home.
What Can I Feed My Dog Instead of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
As weve mentioned above, alternatives to hydrolyzed protein dog food would be diets consisting of limited ingredients or using novel proteins instead of the common ones. However, these alternatives are not a direct replacement and arent always effective.
Some companies have started using insects as their protein source as its unlikely that dogs will be allergic to them. The black soldier fly and mealworms are most commonly used. Others believe that plant protein is the way to combat allergies in dogs, using tree nuts, edible seeds, and peanuts instead of meat. However, its important to chat with your vet before switching your dog onto uncommon formulas.
Wrapping Up
If your dog has digestive problems or food allergies, your vet may consider hydrolyzed protein dog food. This food contains proteins that have been broken down through the process of hydrolysis and are no longer seen as a threat to your dogs immune system. Youll need a prescription from your vet to purchase the food and will need to follow their feeding guidelines and treatment advice. Thankfully, there are various types of this food to choose from, and youre likely to see great improvements in your dog from it.
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
What to Know About Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food.
Hydrolyzed protein dog food offers highly digestible protein to dogs with food sensitivities. Hydrolysis breaks down protein molecules, making them less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
This allows dogs prone to itching, ear infections, digestive upset, and other symptoms from normal proteins like beef or chicken to receive balanced, hypoallergenic nutrition. Read on to learn all about types of prescription and non-prescription hydrolyzed dog food, whether it can be fed long term, what health issues it addresses, and more to see if a hydrolyzed diet could help your pup.
What is Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
Hydrolyzed dog food features protein broken down into smaller components that are less prone to provoking an immune response. Intact proteins often cause issues for dogs with food allergies or intolerances. By using proteins like soy and chicken that have undergone hydrolysis, sensitive dogs can avoid reacting to more extensive antigenic amino acid sequences.
This allows them to get adequate protein nutrition without gastrointestinal, dermatological, or behavioral symptoms flaring up. There are both prescription and non-prescription hydrolyzed commercial dog foods on the market, with the former having smaller protein particles for maximum tolerability.
When Might Vets Recommend Hydrolyzed Diets?
Veterinary nutrition specialists often recommend transitioning dogs onto a prescription hydrolyzed protein dog food to pinpoint food allergies or sensitivities exhibiting symptoms like:
* Itchy and Infected Skin or Ears* Excessive Paw Licking/Chewing* Chronic Diarrhea or Vomiting* Constant Flatulence* Weight Loss from Malabsorption
These discomforting issues associated with traditional proteins frequently improve dramatically once dogs eat properly hydrolyzed foods that their immune systems tolerate better. Most dogs show marked improvement within a month or two on the elimination diet. Hydrolyzed recipes exclude other common allergens like grain, dairy, and vegetables.
This reveals whether food plays a role before allergy testing or treatments. Owners should feed the food exclusively for 8-12 weeks under veterinary guidance to determine if food contributes to symptoms.
Can Pets Eat Hydrolyzed Diets Long Term?
Many pets eat prescription hydrolyzed protein foods long-term with no side effects. Unlike medication, these foods pose little risk for staying on them indefinitely as they provide balanced plant- and mineral-based nutrition for long-term health maintenance. However, veterinary guidance is still recommended because, in some cases, dogs:
* Build tolerance over months/years needing increased protein hydrolysis* Have symptoms resolved, allowing them to transition back to regular food eventually* Require recipe changes/rotations based on changing needs
So, while most pets handle hydrolyzed recipes with no issues for years, regular wellness checks ensure the diet continues providing benefits without compensation issues over the long haul.
Types of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
There are a variety of commercial dog food formulas featuring hydrolyzed proteins, often based around a novel protein source like duck, rabbit, kangaroo, or fish, unlikely to trigger allergies. Common varieties include:
Prescription: Royal Canin Veterinary HP, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed, Hills Prescription Diet z/d Ultra. Vets sometimes recommend these highly hydrolyzed prescription foods first for severe cases needing strict elimination.
Non-Prescription: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Hydrolyzed, Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck, Nutro Hydrolyzed Protein Adult Dog Food. These OTC formulas offer decent hydrolyzation for milder scenarios.
There are also wet food and treat options to add variety. Home-cooked recipes using extensively hydrolyzed soy as the protein can work too, but require balancing nutrients. Work with your veterinarian to choose the right level of hydrolysis to start.
Why Does a Dog Need Hydrolyzed Protein?
The right level of protein nutrition is crucial for dogs. However, allergic reactions and lack of tolerance for common meat and plant proteins cause deficiencies, hence the need for hydrolyzed proteins that can actually be assimilated without inflammation or illness. Quality hydrolyzed formulas allow sensitive pups to get calories, amino acids, enzymes, transport proteins, antibodies, hormones, nucleic acids, and other essential biological molecules proteins provide without sacrificing wellness. This ameliorates symptoms and provides balanced nutrition they would otherwise struggle to receive, letting them thrive.
How Long Should a Dog Eat Hydrolyzed Food?
There are no set rules on duration, only veterinary guidance based on symptomatic response. Some pets eat hydrolyzed protein recipes their whole lives. In contrast, others transition through them for 8-20 week elimination trials before potentially stepping back down to less hydrolyzed nutrition that had previously caused issues. Life stage factors like aging or pregnancy/lactation can also necessitate sticking with hydrolyzed food long-term. Overall duration depends on:
* Symptom alleviation time frame* Ability to eventually handle other proteins again* A dogs evolving health issues and needs
Work closely with your vet and monitor your dog to determine if rotating or discontinuing hydrolyzed food could be trialed to identify the minimal protein modification needed while maintaining quality of life.
Is Hydrolyzed Dog Food Worth It?
The higher price point of prescription hydrolyzed dog foods often leaves owners wondering if the value matches the benefits. For dogs suffering disruptive symptoms that interfere with healthy functioning, though, the foods provide huge pros, including:
Alleviates Discomfort: Dogs no longer suffer relentless itching, infections, and diarrhea. Their daily life becomes more comfortable.
Avert Serious Illness: Left unchecked, allergies lead to ear/skin trauma, malnutrition, and bowel disease. These diseases risk longevity and quality of life without diet changes.
Provides Hypoallergenic Nutrition: The hydrolysis process lets dogs assimilate essential proteins without inflammatory/allergic reactions to get balanced nutrition that supports well-being.
Given these positives, most veterinarians view hydrolyzed diets as worthwhile for sensitive dogs if financially feasible for the owner. Lower-cost OTC options provide similar benefits for some pets, too.
Alternatives to Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Before committing to hydrolyzed protein dog food, owners can trial a few alternatives in partnership with their vet, such as:
* Novel protein diets featuring unusual protein sources like kangaroo, duck, or rabbit that dogs are less likely to be allergic to* Home-cooked dog food recipes with closer attention to ingredient exposures* Antihistamines, antibiotics, antifungals, medicated shampoos, or other medications to see if symptoms can be controlled that route* More extensive diagnostic allergy testing for environmental factors through skin tests or blood tests
Sometimes, combinations of diet changes plus medication successfully manage allergies. Other situations definitively determine food as the driving culprit, making hydrolyzed feed the ideal solution after exhausting alternative options. Maintain an open and discerning dialogue with your veterinary team when deciding how to tackle your dogs issues.
What Are Possible Long-Term Side Effects?
While most studies show hydrolyzed proteins cause no harm in the long term, some owners anecdotally report:
* Nutrient deficiencies if not properly formulated to meet all nutritional requirements* Tolerance build-up necessitating increased hydrolysis after months/years* Transition issues slowly adapting back to less heavily broken down proteins
This highlights the importance of both lab testing and veterinary guidance when feeding hydrolyzed food life-long. Overall, though, these foods pose minimal risk and provide enormous benefits for suitable candidates.
The Takeaway
Hydrolyzed protein dog food helps transform the lives of pets struggling with disruptive allergic symptoms or tolerance issues. The exceptional digestibility and hypoallergenic nature offer game-changing nutrition and relief without medication side effects or elaborate specialty treatments.
Work with your vet to determine if your pup could benefit. Most sensitivities dogs on the proper hydrolyzed diet improve substantially within weeks, making them so worth considering!
