why is hydrolyzed protein better for dogs
What Is Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food? Types, Pros & Cons (Vet Reviewed)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreSifting through the jungle of diet options available for dogs in this day and age can be as equally confusing as it is overwhelming. While you sort through the diverse foods on the market and try and understand the differences, you will likely come across hydrolyzed protein dog foods. While some of the others are a bit easy to understand, you may be left wondering what hydrolyzed protein is exactly.
In some special dog foods, usually prescription diets available from veterinary surgeons, hydrolyzed protein is used. Hydrolyzed protein goes through a process called hydrolysis, which breaks down the proteins into smaller building blocks. Keep reading to find out more about hydrolyzed protein.
How Does It Work?
Hydrolyzed protein dog foods are formulated using hydrolyzed protein rather than regular protein. They are used for dogs that suffer from ailments such as severe food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, sensitive stomach, and even pancreatic insufficiency.
Hydrolyzed proteins are created through the process of hydrolysis, which is a chemical process where enzymes are used to break down the protein molecules into smaller peptide chains.
Once the protein has been broken down into amino acids and peptides, they become more easily absorbed in the digestive tract and reduce the risk of an immune reaction. Allergic reactions to food develop when the immune system misidentifies a certain food protein as a potential threat, resulting in a variety of allergy signs. Since these foods are made to contain protein chains too small to trigger the immune system, they are commonly prescribed to dogs that suffer from severe food allergies.
What Are the Different Types of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
Several different brands produce hydrolyzed protein dog food. There are both dry kibble and canned food varieties. We have listed the different brands and formulas below and included their main ingredients, caloric content, and the protein and fat content in each recipe.
Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Dog Food
1. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Isolate, Partially Hydrogenated Canola Oil Preserved with Tbhq, Coconut Oil, Powdered Cellulose |
| Protein content: | 18% min |
| Fat content: | 8% min |
| Calories: | 3,695 kcal/kg, 314 kcal/cup |
2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Vegetarian Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Isolate, Coconut Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Canola Oil Preserved With TBHQ, Powdered Cellulose |
| Protein content: | 18% min |
| Fat content: | 9.5% min |
| Calories: | 3,695 kcal/kg, 314 kcal/cup |
Hydrolyzed Protein Canned Dog Food
1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Loaf Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water Sufficient for Processing, Pea Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Vegetable Oil |
| Protein content: | 5% min |
| Fat content: | 2.5% min |
| Calories: | 1,016 kcal/kg, 396 kcal/can |
2. Hills Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Original Flavor Wet Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Corn Starch, Powdered Cellulose, Soybean Oil |
| Protein content: | 3.0% min |
| Fat content: | 2.3% min |
| Calories: | 352 kcal / 13 oz (370 g) can |
When Is Hydrolyzed Protein Used?
Hydrolyzed protein is prescribed when a veterinarian feels it is necessary for a dogs health to make the switch to this type of protein. It is used for a variety of different health conditions.
Food Allergies
Most often, hydrolyzed protein diets are utilized in the elimination phase of food trials when a veterinarian is trying to determine the root cause of an allergy. These foods are used to remove potential food allergens from the diet and return the immune system to its normal state.
The brand of food in the elimination diet will be dependent on the patients preference and veterinarians professional opinion. The elimination trials typically last 8 to 12 weeks before foods with potential allergens are introduced back in. This is a strict process but the most effective way to diagnose a food allergy. No alternative foods or treats are allowed during the elimination trial.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Hydrolyzed dog foods have proven effective in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs.Studies show that feeding hydrolyzed proteins reduces the severity of the chronic signs associated with the condition, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Studies also suggest that the long-term use of hydrolyzed protein improves the overall health of the intestinal membrane.
Sensitive Stomach
The sensitive stomach can be more of a blanket term to cover any digestive issues including conditions like food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease listed above. Some dogs have trouble digesting food and when trouble with digestion is persistent, hydrolyzed proteins can be very beneficial. Since the proteins are already broken down into smaller components, meaning it is in a pre-digested form, it becomes much more easy to digest and even has higher nutrient profiles due to the hydrolysis process.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Another health condition that can benefit from a hydrolyzed protein diet is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or EPI. With this condition, a dog does not produce adequate amounts of pancreatic enzymes that are needed to properly break down food during digestion. As mentioned above for dogs with other issues digesting, the hydrolysis process the food goes through improves the digestibility of the protein and helps manage the signs of this condition.
Advantages of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Easy to Digest
As weve discussed previously, the process that hydrolyzed protein dog food goes through breaks the proteins down into smaller components known as amino acids and peptides. This takes the protein to a pre-digested state and allows the gastrointestinal system to easily digest the food and absorb the nutrients. This makes the nutrient profile of these foods superior to regular proteins.
Eliminates Allergens
Hydrolyzed proteins are built to fly under the radar of the immune system, preventing them from causing the immune reaction of the specific allergen that afflicts the dog. They are too small to bind to the receptors that can trigger allergic response. When used in elimination diets, it allows the immune system to become free of the irritating allergen and resets it to its normal state. This eliminates the inflammatory response and allows the veterinarian to reintroduce different proteins and other potential allergens in the diet so that the specific issue can be identified, and the food allergy can be diagnosed.
Can Resolve GI Issues
Dogs that struggle with digestive issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic insufficiency, or any digestive impairment can benefit from this food. Studies have proven that hydrolyzed protein food can either improve or resolve gastrointestinal issues and eliminate troublesome signs.
Available in Dry Kibble and Canned Options
Thankfully, there are both dry kibble and canned varieties available. This helps for picky eaters that turn their noses up to dry kibbles, or for those that do not find the hydrolyzed kibble appetizing. Some owners prefer to offer one type of food or the other, and its nice to have that choice with a prescription-only diet.
Can Help Heal Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions can be present in the same patient. While atopic dermatitis can range from mild to severe, it causes a great deal of itch and discomfort and can be difficult to treat. This is especially true if there is a concurrent food allergy. Swapping to a hydrolyzed diet can help relieve the dermatological problems.
Disadvantages of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
As many benefits as hydrolyzed protein diets can have, there are some disadvantages of this type of food that we discuss in detail below.
Expense
Theres no way around it: a hydrolyzed protein diet comes at a hefty expense. These foods can cost upwards of $5 per pound. It is costly because of the process it must go through. While this is expensive for small and medium-sized dogs, it can get very costly for owners of extra-large dogs that require more quantity per feeding.
While this can be very deterring, it is important to remember that if this food is necessary for your dogs health, it is well worth the cost. When used in an elimination diet, it can be temporary until the allergen is identified and you can go back to a non-prescription food that works. Talk to your veterinarian if you are concerned about price so they can help you weigh the benefits versus the downfalls.
Prescription-Only
Another disadvantage of hydrolyzed protein food is the fact that it is prescription-only and cannot be obtained without a veterinarian. This means that owners cannot perform their own elimination diet or decide on their own that this type of diet is necessary. While this is inconvenient that you cant easily grab it from the store, this type of diet is set apart from traditional dog diets and it is best done under the supervision of a veterinary professional.
Palatability
A big complaint among dog owners is that dogs are not always big fans of hydrolyzed protein foods. The palatability isnt the greatest, likely due to the absence of meat sources and other additives that are included in commercial dog foods. When you run into trouble getting your dog to eat hydrolyzed protein formulas, your veterinarian may switch to canned varieties to entice them to eat. Hesitancy to eat the prescribed food should immediately be discussed with the prescribing veterinarian.
Odor
Hydrolyzed protein has a different odor than your normal dog food, which is not unusual. This is a different type of food that goes through an entirely different process than commercial kibbles and canned foods. While the smell may not be appealing, if there was a prescription written for the food, its because the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
My Dog Has Allergies, Should I Have Them on a Hydrolyzed Protein Diet?
If your dog has allergies or is experiencing signs that could be indicative of food or environmental allergies, you should set an appointment with your veterinarian. They may have you try out other commercial food options before prescribing a hydrolyzed protein diet.
There are some limited ingredients, single protein, and other formulas on the market that are geared toward allergy sufferers. If you try these foods out under your veterinarians supervision and you find success, you may not need to go as far as a prescription diet. If your vet feels the hydrolyzed protein diet is the way to go, they will provide the prescription and further instructions.
Are There Side Effects of Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Foods?
There may be some side effects to hydrolyzed protein diets such as a change in stool consistency. Since this is a prescription diet, it will be fed under your veterinarians supervision, so you will direct these kinds of questions to them and will follow their instructions carefully while making the transition.
Conclusion
Hydrolyzed protein dog food is a prescription-only diet that comes in both dry and canned food varieties. The protein included in these foods goes through a process called hydrolysis where they are broken into smaller components known as amino acids and peptides. They are prescribed for dogs suffering from food allergies and other severe digestive issues because the proteins are much more easily digestible and the immune system does not detect them as allergens.
Several brands offer the food, but you must obtain a veterinary prescription and feed under the supervision of the veterinarian. As with any food, it has its advantages and disadvantages, but this diet can truly help manage or even eliminate certain health concerns and help your dog live a happy, healthy life.
Featured Image Credit: Christian Mueller, Shutterstock
The Truth Behind Hydrolysed Protein | What Is It Good For?
When did buying protein get flooded with so much choice? And even the good old trusty whey protein has now been broken down into different types! However, each one has a specific process in the body and can fuel your workouts in a different way. We can appreciate that it might sound a bit scientific, but hydrolysed protein is an excellent form of protein to use. This article will give you the lowdown on hydrolysed protein, including what it is, what it does and what it's good for.
What Does Hydrolysed Mean?
So, lets start with what hydrolysed protein actually is. Hydrolysed means that the protein has been partially broken down, making it more easy to digest. Some people refer to it as pre-digested, which sounds a bit gross, however, that doesn't mean that another person has digested your protein before you!
The process of hydrolysing simply involves adding proteolytic enzymes when making the powder, which will increase the speed your body can transport the amino acids to your muscles. This causes an increase in protein synthesis from an increase in amino acids reaching your muscles, which causes the muscle fibres to rebuild faster, to get you refuelled in time for your next workout.
Can You Get Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein?
Hydrolysed protein seems to be most popular in whey and casein variations, although some vegetable proteins have started to go through a similar process. However, there seems to be a longer process to break down the proteins and the use of chemicals make it less beneficial for the general user looking to rebuild muscles. Therefore, vegetable protein blends contain a vegetable isolate version with added digestion enzymes in the blend.
Hydrolysed Protein vs. Isolate
Now, in comparison to other forms of whey, hydrolysed whey protein has a higher percentage of leucine content compared to isolate and concentrate. Leucine has been linked to the regeneration of muscle fibres and particularly increases in muscle size and density. It also prevents muscle breakdown even when you're in a calorie deficit.
Heres where it gets really interesting: when casein protein goes through the hydrolysing process, it acts a little more like whey protein in terms of speed of muscle-protein synthesis as well as keeping its high-yielding, long-release properties we all know and love. Its also been found to improve endurance exercise performance when combined with fast-acting carbohydrates, making athletes faster when its taken during a session [1].
Recent research (2010) has found that whey hydrolysate (hydrolysed whey) was better than whey isolate when it came to a faster recovery from a high intensity muscle damage protocol [2]. This would mean that if you're looking for a speedy recovery between training sessions, or before a long day at work, hydrolysed whey could be the way to go. Interestingly, when this was taken further and analysed for insulin response, the hydrolysed version gave an increased response [3].
If you dont know much about insulin in the body, the hormone causes the nutrients in the blood stream to be forced into storage areas i.e. the free amino acids in the blood get pushed into the muscles where they can be used, stored and give you a great boost in muscle size and density.
Additional Benefits of Hydrolysed Protein
The benefits of hydrolysed protein go further than muscle building alone. Hydrolysed collagen protein can go a long way to look after the rest of your body, including your hair, skin, and joints. The broken down amino acids from the hydrolysing process can help to enrich the components that make up the rest of your body parts of which are made up of collagen which cannot be replenished without dietary intake. As you use some of cleansing products to your hair and skin, this can dry out the skin, where collagen intake can push the lift back into you.
From a performance point of view, hydrolysed collagen protein can improve your joints and reduce the likelihood of injury by keeping the ligaments and tendons strong.
Take Home Message
At the end of the day, the most important factor is increasing the daily protein intake to meet required levels, however, supplementing your diet with hydrolysed protein can help you to: improve the speed of your recovery, which is important if you are training multiple times per day (whey); improve your intra-workout performance (casein); improve your hair, joints, nails and skin (collagen).
