what is hydrolyzed protein in dog food

What Is Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food? Pros, Cons, & FAQ

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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If 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

10 Best Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Foods and Treats Reviews

Protein hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown (degradation) of proteins to smaller units or hydrolysates that may be peptides or individual amino acids. It occurs by cleavage of peptic bonds that hold proteins together with the help of enzymes or chemicals.

Amino acids are the essential protein building blocks, while peptides are protein fragments made of 50 or fewer amino acids.

Why hydrolyzed dog foods

Food allergies are the third most common type of allergies that dogs suffer from after fleas and environmental allergies. It accounts for about 10% with animal protein sources, including beef, dairy products, fish, chicken, lamb, eggs, pork, and milk, the most common triggers.

However, corn, yeast, or wheat may trigger with glycoproteins they have blamed for the resultant hypersensitivities.

Not to be confused with food intolerance where your pet may have challenges digesting a particular food leading to digestive or gastric distress, bloating, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and so on, food allergies occur as a result of an immune response.

Usually, when a dog eats something they are allergic to, their immunity mistakes the protein as an allergen (harmful or toxic foreign body), triggering an IgE antibody response that causes the various symptoms.

As noted, since proteins, including glycoproteins, are the primary sources of allergies, the main objective of protein hydrolysis is to breakdown the offending protein (one that triggers allergies) into smaller units or hydrolysate that a dogs immunity system can no longer recognize.

The hydrolyzed protein food is hypoallergenic, meaning that your dog can eat it with minimal chances of him suffering from allergies the protein source would have triggered.

Besides hydrolysis, other ways to manage pet food hypersensitivities include novel protein foods, limited ingredient foods as well as homemade diets. Your vet may recommend other hypoallergenic diets too.

At a glance: Top 4 hydrolyzed protein dog foods and treats picks

Rank	Name	Rating	Buy
Best Overal	Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP Dry Dog Food	4.9	Check Price
Runners Up	Hills Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food	4.7	Check Price
Best Wet/Canned:	Hills Prescription Diet z/d Original Skin/Food Sensitivities Canned Dog Food	4.5	Check Price
Best for Small Dogs:	Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Small Dog Dry Dog Food	4.6	Check Price
Best Treats	Hills Prescription Diet Hypo Treats Dog Treats	4.9	Check Price

Benefits and cons

Some of the benefits of hydrolyzed protein dog diets include the following:

• Reduce the chances of allergies without necessarily having to change the specific protein source, making it easy to provide complete and balanced nutrition.
• They are highly digestible, meaning your pet will absorb them more. Also, these diets will benefit dogs suffering from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Not that as affected ones they cannot secrete enough pancreatic enzymes needed for digestion.
• They will reduce the severity of symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in these pets and benefit those suffering from severe enteritis.
• These foods will reduce instances of other allergies since they are hypoallergenic, and most use a single protein source.

Downside class

• They cost more. Like other prescribed diets, expect to spend more. On average, they are about 30% more expensive.
• Dont heal sensitivities and no long terms studies on possible side effects of unnaturally converted proteins. Your pets body will only not detect them.
• There is a decline of palatability as proteins are broken into smaller units and may end up bitter. Also, they may increase the intestines osmolarity. When it occurs, more water is drawn into the alimentary canal, leading to diarrhea.

Symptoms of dog food allergies

Some signs you canine friend may show in case of food allergies include the following:

• Dermatological manifestations They include skin lesions, irritated skin, and recurring ear infections. Recurring skin infections may also be witnessed. Besides ears, these signs may involve feet, perineal areas, axillary, face, or any part of the body.
• Itchiness, licking and scratching
• GI symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and gas, which are less common
• Wheezing, sneezing, poor growth may occur but less common.

How to choose them?

Some factors you should consider when choosing these foods include:

• They must be complete and balanced, i.e., have ingredients in proportions that match AAFCOs recommendations as per specific life stage or have undergone successful feeding following AAFCO protocol.
• Have limited ingredients, preferably a single protein source and without any low-quality fillers.
• Shouldnt have artificial flavors, dyes, preservatives, and etcetera.
• Use carbohydrates from sweet potato, brown rice, white potatoes, or millet as they are less likely to cause allergies.
• High in protein and amino acids to promote healthy skin and coat.
• Manufacturing should occur under strict quality control measures to avoid contamination to ensure they should have only the listed ingredients.

Best hydrolyzed protein dog food reviews

We will consider both the best dry and wet dog foods. An average cup is about 8 ounces and as required by AAFCO, ingredients starting with the most abundant first and in the decreasing order of their abundance.

1. Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP Dry Dog Food

If you have adult and growing dogs suffering food sensitivities, Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP Dry Dog Food that has hydrolyzed soy protein should be your first choice. It is nutritionally complete and balanced for growth and adult maintenance.

Key benefits

• It is highly palatable, easy to digest, and will diminish the chances of sensitivities.
• The food has ideal levels of vitamin B complex and amino acids to reinforce a skin barrier vital in minimizing skin irritations and sensitivities symptoms.
• It will boost digestion and reduce diarrhea chances, thanks to the added blends of fiber.
• Added DHA and EPA (from omega 3-fatty acids) present will boost not only healthy skin but also a shiny coat.
• Royal Canin has put in place strict manufacturing procedures to prevent cross-contamination occurs.

Cons

• Its protein level is a little lower when compared against AAFCO recommended levels for growth and development.

Additional information

• First ingredients:Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp, monocalcium phosphate, and vegetable oil.
• Calories: 3845 kcal ME/kg or 331kcal ME/cup (calculated).
• Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 19.0%, crude fats (min): 17.0%, crude fiber (max): 3.1%, moisture (max): 10.0%. EPA (min): 0.18% and DHA (min): 0.08%. AAFCO doesnt recognize EPA and DHA.

2. Hills Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food

Hills Prescription Diet z/d Canine is another excellent adult dog food meant to help manage adverse reactions to food, sensitivities, or intolerances witnessed when some dogs eat foods.

Otherwise, expect your dog to end up with GI upsets, skin irritations, ear conditions, among other symptoms.

Key benefits

• It will lower the chances of food sensitivities, thanks to the highly hydrolyzed chicken liver and the use of corn starch as the only carbohydrate source.
• It is enriched vitamin E, essential fatty acids, natural fiber, and clinically proven antioxidants.
• The food doesnt have soy protein, lactose, gluten, as well as artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
• It will support immunity health, create a reinforcing skin barrier, and improve skin and coat condition (visible within 30 days).
• Clinically proven to restore normal stool.
• Promotes urinary healthy and consequently diminishes possibilities of both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.

Additional information

• First ingredients: Corn starch, hydrolyzed chicken liver, powdered cellulose, and soybean oil.
• Calorie content: 3569 kcal per kilogram or an equivalent of approximately 354kcal per cup on a dry matter basis
• Guaranteed analysis: Protein: 19.1%, Fats: 14.4%, Carbohydrates or NFE: 56.7%, Crude fiber (max): 4.4%, Calcium: 0.82%, Potassium: 0.82%, Sodium: 0.25%, magnesium: 0.060, vitamin C: 109ppm, vitamin E: 950 IU/Kg, omega-6 fatty acids 4.43%.

3. Royal Canin Canine Ultamino Dry Dog Food

Canine Ultamino is one of the most innovative brands of dry adult dog food whose protein hydrolysis occurs to individual amino acids level. It will serve you well as part of the diet elimination trial as well as feeding your canines suffering from food sensitivities.

Key benefits

• It is clinically proven to reduce food sensitivities to typical protein sources used in dog foods.
• Has peak levels of vitamin B and amino acids help strengthen your dogs skin barrier.
• Added omega-3 fatty acids provide the much-required EPA and DHA that boost skin and coat health.
• Will calm troublesome stomachs and reduce chances of diarrhea as it has added fiber blends

Cons

• It is much more expensive when compared to its dry counterparts.

Additional information

• First ingredients: Corn starch, hydrolyzed poultry by-products aggregate, coconut oil, vegetable oil, potassium phosphate, natural flavors, and powdered cellulose.
• Calories: It has a calculated calorie value of 3678 kcal ME/kg that translates to 316 kcal ME/cup.
• Guaranteed analysis:Crude protein (min): 16.9%, crude fats (min): 14.5%, crude fiber (max): 4.2%, moisture (max): 10.0%.

4. Hills Prescription Diet z/d Original Skin/Food Sensitivities Canned Dog Food

Like the dry version, the Diet z/d Original Skin Canned dog is a collaborative effort of Hills vets, and nutritionists meant to manage food allergies and deal with some of the resultant symptoms in adult dogs.

Key benefits

• The diet uses a single carbohydrate source and a highly hydrolyzed animal protein source.
• It has an increased level of vitamin E and natural fiber as well as enriched with clinically proven antioxidants as well as essential fatty acids.
• It doesnt have gluten, lactose, soy protein, artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
• Offers urinary health benefits, will return stool to normal, support a healthy skin barrier reinforcement, and boost immunity health.
• Your dogs coat and skin will visibly be better within a month.

Additional information

• First ingredients: Water, hydrolyzed chicken liver, corn starch, powdered cellulose, and soybean oil.
• Calorie content: 5.5 oz. (156 g) has 148 kilocalories while the 13 oz. (370 g) can has 352 kcal.
• Guaranteed Analysis: Protein: 20.0%, Fats: 14.1%, Carbohydrates or NFE: 56.2%, Crude fiber (max): 5.0%, Calcium: 0.71%, Phosphorus 0.54%, Potassium: 0.79%, Sodium: 0.31%, magnesium: 0.073, vitamin A: 61535 IU/Kg, vitamin C: 257ppm, vitamin D: 1459 IU/kg, vitamin E: 859 IU/Kg, total omega-3 fatty acids 4.45%, total omega-6 fatty acids 4.43%., Beta-carotene 6.12 ppm, Carnitine 20.6 ppm.

5. Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein in Gel Canned Dog Food

Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein in Gel Canned Dog Food is an excellent wet food alternative for adult dogs that suffer from sensitivities or allergies related to diet.

Key benefits

• Like other wet foods, it is yummy, more palatable, and easier to digest.
• Protein is hydrolyzed into small units of peptide hydrolysate that your dogs immunity will not detect as an allergen.
• It has added fiber blends to promote gut health and reduce diarrhea or other stomach upsets.
• No cross-contamination during manufacture
• The added omega-3 fatty acids will provide DHA and EPA for a healthy dogs skin and coat.
• To minimize skin irritation and sensitivities, Royal Canin adds optimum levels of amino acids as well as B vitamins perfect for skin barrier reinforcement.

Cons

• It is costly, a common characteristic of most wet canine foods..

Additional information

• First ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, pea starch, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed chicken liver, vegetable oil, and powdered cellulose
• Calories (calculated):On as fed basis, the food has 1012 kcal M per kg or a 395 kcal ME per can
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min): 5.0%, crude fats (min): 2.5%, crude fiber (max): 2.5%, moisture (max): 76.0%.

6. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food (Vegetarian)

This therapeutic diet for adult dogs that suffer from adverse reactions to some food is a joint effort of researchers, veterinarians, and nutritionists at Purina.

Key benefits

• The hydrolyzed soy protein isolate is broken down into units that are unlikely to cause food allergies.
• Utilizes high-quality ingredients
• It is great tasting to encourage eating
• The food is highly digestible, something that will boost nutrient absorption
• It has added antioxidants and medium-chain triglycerides (from coconut oil).

Additional information

• First ingredients: Corn starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, coconut oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil preserved with TBHQ, powdered cellulose.
• Calories: 3695 kcal per kilogram or an equivalent of 314 kcal per cup
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min): 18.0%, crude fats (min): 8.0%, crude fiber (max): 4.0%, moisture (max): 10.0%, ash (max): 7.0%, Calcium (min): 0.7 and phosphorus (min): 0.6%.

If your dog doesnt prefer the vegetarian formula, try the New Chicken Formula.

7. Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Small Dog Dry Dog Food

Small or toy dog breeds require smaller kibble to make eating easier. People with adult canines below 22 pounds that suffer from hypersensitivities related to food can take advantage of this Royal Canin brand.

Key benefits

• It will bring down sensitivities that occur from familiar protein sources in dog food.
• It is easy to digest and absorb
• The Relative Supersaturation (RSS) methodology will support urinary health by ensuring an unfavorable environment for struvite and calcium oxalate crystals formation.
• It has smaller kibble sizes that still encourages more chewing to help reduce tartar deposits on your canines teeth.
• Features correct ideal levels B vitamin and amino acids for reinforcing your dogs skin barrier, which helps reduce sensitivity and irritation.

Cons

• It costs more compared to foods designed for larger dog breeds.

Additional information

• First ingredients: Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, vegetable oil, and dried plain beet pulp
• Calculated calories: 3618 kcal ME per kilogram or about 373 kcal ME per cup.
• Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 22.5%, crude fats (min): 14.5%, crude fiber (max): 2.7%, moisture (max): 10.0%.

8. Hills Prescription Diet z/d Canine Small Bites Dog Food Dry Dog Food

Diet z/d Canine Small Bites is a complete and balanced adult maintained canine food specially made for small dog breeds with food and skin sensitivities since it has smaller kibble for tiny mouths and little jaws.

Key benefits

• Highly hydrolyzed proteins will minimize the chances of adverse reactions to food and uses only one carbohydrate source.
• It will improve skin and coat quality with visible results expected after a month and is clinically proven to restore normal stool as well as offers a healthy skin barrier reinforcement and supports immunity health, thanks to the added natural fiber levels, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids, and other nutrients.
• Supports urinary health by reducing calcium oxalates and struvite crystal formation, as evidenced by the S+OXSHIELD seal it bears.
• It doesnt have soy protein, gluten, lactose, artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes.

Additional information

• First ingredients: Corn starch, hydrolyzed chicken liver, powdered cellulose, and soybean oil.
• Calorie content: 3569 kcal/kg or about 374 kcal/cup on a dry matter basis.
• Guaranteed analysis: Protein: 19.1%, Fats: 14.4%, Carbohydrates or NFE: 56.7%, Crude fiber (max): 4.4%, Calcium: 0.82%, Potassium: 0.82%, Sodium: 0.25%, magnesium: 0.060, vitamin C: 109ppm, vitamin E: 950 IU/Kg, taurine 0.13%, and Arginine: 1.27%.

9. Blue Natural Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Dry Dog Food

Blue HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance dog food is one of the possible prescriptions your vet may give you if your dog suffers from food sensitivities. It uses salmon hydrolysate made via enzymatic hydrolysis, concentration, and drying at low temperatures.

Key benefits

• The salmon hydrolysate used is highly digestible and is the only protein source.
• It will reduce possibilities of your dog suffering from adverse allergic reactions caused by common protein sources used in canine diets
• It is grain-free, has no corn, wheat, soy, artificial preservatives, artificial flavor, or by-product meals of chicken or poultry.

Additional information

• First ingredient: Salmon hydrolysate, pea starch,potatoes,peas,pea protein,canola oil (source of omega-6 fatty acids), potato starch, andpea fiber.
• Calorie content: 3,529 Kcals per kg or an equivalent of 368 Kcals per cup
• Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 24.0%, crude fats (min): 12.0%, crude fiber (max): 5.0%, moisture (max): 10.0%, Calcium (min): 0.7% and phosphorus (min): 0.5%, soluble fiber (min) 1.0%, Omega-3 fatty acids (min): 1.5%, Omega-6 fatty acids (min): 2.0% and ascorbic acid: 100 mg/kg min.

Ascorbic acid is a source of vitamin C. AAFCO does not recognize soluble fiber, omega-3, and -6 fatty acids as well as ascorbic acid as essential nutrients.

10. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Canine Formula

Doesnt your dog not like the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets dry formulas? Consider switching to this canned chicken formula. It will provide all the required nourishment as required by AAFCO for growing puppies as well as all adult dogs, including large ones weighing 70 pounds or over.

Key benefits

• The highly hydrolyzed protein used minimizes any chances of severe reactions common in affected dogs.
• Utilizes only a single source of protein
• Enriched with antioxidants which have immunity benefits
• Highly palatable and tastes yummy
• Has coconut oil to provide medium-chain triglycerides.

Cons

• You will spend more per day.

Additional information

• First ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, pea starch, hydrolyzed chicken liver, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, powdered cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, and coconut oil.
• Calories: The food has 905 kcal/kg or 341 kcal per 13.3 oz. (377g) can on as fed basis.
• Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 5.0%, crude fats (min): 2.0%, crude fiber (max): 3.5%, moisture (max): 78.0%, ash (max): 3.0%, Calcium (min): 0.27 and phosphorus (min): 0.22%

Best hydrolyzed protein dog treats

If you have switched to hydrolyzed diets, dont forget treats, as they could be the cause of allergic reactions if not hypoallergenic, and for this case, have hydrolyzed protein.

Note that treats shouldnt exceed 10% of your dogs calorific intake. Also, dont forget to reduce their usual diets accordingly, depending on the amounts of treats given to avoid weight gain.

Some good brands to buy include the following:

1. Hills Prescription Diet Hypo Treats Dog Treats

Just because your dog has skin and food sensitivities doesnt mean you do away with treats. Instead, buy the Diet Hypo Treats Dog Treats with using hydrolyzed proteins or any other suitable hypoallergenic brands.

Key benefits

• It will minimize or get rid of an allergic reaction to food.
• The higher omega-3 fatty acids 0.13% and omega-6 fatty acids (3.19%) will boost your dogs skin and coat health.
• Promotes a urinary environment that will reduce chances struvite & calcium oxalate crystals

Additional information

• First ingredients: Corn Starch, hydrolyzed chicken liver, powdered cellulose, soybean oil, and dicalcium phosphate.
• Calorific value: 3486 kcal per kg or 17.4 kcal per treat
• Guaranteed analysis: Protein: 17.7%, Fats: 11.5%, Carbohydrates or NFE: 61.5%, Crude fiber (max): 4.9%, Calcium: 0.67%, Potassium: 0.61%, Sodium: 0.19%, magnesium: 0.056, vitamin C: 165ppm, vitamin E: 805 IU/Kg, total omega 3 fatty acids: 0.37% and total omega-6 fatty acids: 3.19% on dry matter basis.

AAFCO doesnt recognize omega-3 and -6 fatty acids.

2. Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Canine Treats

These hypoallergenic adult dog treats made with hydrolyzed soy will help canines with food sensitivities, including during a food elimination trial.

Key benefits

• It will minimize or eliminate the threat and food sensitivities, thanks to the hydrolyzed soy formulation.
• It will benefit your dogs urinary health, i.e., the Relative Supersaturation (RSS) methodologyapproach ensures a urinary environment that prevents the formation of both calcium oxalate and struvite crystals.
• Offers skin barrier reinforcement to deal with resultant food allergies skin symptoms.

Additional information

• First ingredients:Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, vegetable oil, and dried plain beet pulp.
• Calories:3632kcal ME per kg or 5.8 kcal ME/treats (calculated)
• Guaranteed analysis:Crude protein (min): 22.0%, crude fats (min): 14.0%, crude fiber (max): 2.6%, moisture (max): 10.0%.

3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Canine Treats

Dogs with sensitive GI or sensitivities to certain proteins can benefit from these crunchy treats whose manufacture utilizes the same science used to make Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Canine Formula.

Key benefits

• Will minimize chances of GI tract or food sensitivity related reactions.
• Easy to digest (highly digestible)
• The stay-fresh pouch used will ensure they remain fresh for a longer time.

Additional information

• First ingredients: starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, vegetable oil, dicalcium phosphate, oat fiber, and powdered cellulose.
• Calories: 15.2 kcal per treat as fed.
• Guaranteed analysis: Protein: 16.0%, Fats: 7.5%, Crude fiber (max): 5.0% and moisture (max) :12.0%