is hydrolyzed protein better for dogs
What to Know About Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Veterinary prescription dog food is used to manage a variety of health conditions in dogs, but the concept behind it isnt always clear. If your veterinarian recommends a hydrolyzed protein dog food, youre probably wondering what, exactly, hydrolyzed means.
What Is Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
Hydrolyzed protein dog food is a food in which the proteins are chemically broken down into tiny pieces through a water-based process called hydrolysis. This essentially makes proteins invisible to a dogs immune system.
Protein is a vital component to any diet. Your dogs muscles, hormones and disease-fighting antibodies are all proteins. To make what their bodies need, dogs take proteins from food, break them down into building blocks called amino acids, and combine those amino acids into new proteins.
In some animals, dietary proteins can trigger an abnormal immune response. Hydrolysis uses water to chemically break proteins into pieces that are so small that the immune system no longer reacts to them.
Why Your Pet Might Need Dog Food With Hydrolyzed Protein
Veterinarians typically prescribe hydrolyzed protein dog foods to treat two conditions:food allergiesandinflammatory bowel disease.
Dog Food Allergies
A dogs gastrointestinal tract serves as a gatekeeper: It allows nutrients in while fighting off disease-causing microorganisms and keeping out anything else that is potentially harmful. But sometimes the body gets confused. Dog food allergies develop when the gut incorrectly starts identifying benign dietary proteins as a potential health risk and mounts an immune response against them.
Food-allergic dogs can develop a variety of symptoms, including:
Itchiness, which may involve the whole body or be limited to the feet, ears, and/or face
Hair loss
Skin lesions
Recurrent skin or ear infections
Digestive problems likevomiting,diarrhea, andexcessive gassinessmay or may not be present as well.
Food allergy symptoms often begin when dogs are young (less than 1 year old) but can become evident at any age. Dog food allergies may develop soon after starting a new dog foodor after years of eating the same diet. Food allergies are diagnosed in all types of dogs, but some breeds appear to be genetically predisposed, including:
To diagnose dog food allergies, veterinarians typically recommend a food trial (usually lasting at least two months) during which dogs must eat only a hydrolyzed protein dog food or a diet made from a single-protein source that they have never been exposed to before. If the dogs symptoms improve over this time and then reappear when they are fed their old food, a dog food allergy diagnosis can be made.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The line between food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is sometimes blurry. Its thought that, in some cases, food allergies can develop as a result of IBD or vice versa.
In any case, dogs with IBD have abnormal inflammation of their gastrointestinal tract. The inflammation may be widespread or localized, severe or mild, and these characteristics can change over time. This explains why dogs with IBD can have different symptoms that vary in their intensities. Signs of IBD can include:
Inflammatory bowel disease can develop at any age, but its usually diagnosed in middle-aged to older dogs. Some breeds, includingBoxersand German Shepherds, appear to be at a higher genetic risk for IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease can only be definitively diagnosed with a biopsy of the affected tissues.
Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food Recommendations
Treatment for dog food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease centers on finding a diet that does not trigger symptoms. Immunosuppressive medications and other treatments may also be necessary in severe cases of IBD. Once a dog has been diagnosed, they will likely need to eat a special diet for the rest of their life.
Veterinary prescription hydrolyzed protein dog foods are an excellent choice for both food allergies and IBD. These diets are manufactured under the strictest quality control measures, which ensures that they arent contaminated by ingredients that are not included in the label. Eating triggering foods is a major reason that diagnostic food trials and treatment for food allergies and IBD fail.
Hills Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Both of the following hydrolyzed protein dog foods also contain high levels of essential fatty acids to promote skin health:
Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets come in several hydrolyzed varieties, including:
Purina Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets come in:
Your veterinarian can help you find the best hydrolyzed protein dog food that will keep your dogs symptoms under control while still providing the balanced nutrition thats essential to good health.
Featured Image: iStock/nensuria
WRITTEN BY
Jennifer Coates, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary...
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!
