Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Sarah Wilson, BScH, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)
Protein is one of the most important nutrients in your dog’s diet. It supports everything from muscle development and immune function to skin health and energy levels. Though, you may be looking at those little brown pellets wondering how much protein is in your dog’s food, and is it really enough?
Let’s break down what to look for, what your pup actually needs, and how to tell if they’re getting high-quality protein in every bowl.
Before diving into the numbers, it’s important to understand why protein is so essential for dogs.
Why Protein Matters for Dogs
Protein provides essential amino acids that help dogs build and repair muscle, grow healthy fur, support strong nails, and stay active. It also plays a key role in hormone production and overall cellular function. In short, it helps your pup feel and look their best.
Dogs are omnivores, but protein should still be the foundation of their diet, especially when it comes from real, animal-based sources like chicken, turkey, salmon, lamb, or beef. Lucky for you, The Pets Table offers all of these options. Plus, we add vitamins like B2 and B5, which help metabolize protein, fat and carbohydrates, turning them into energy (in other words, zoomies).
If you’re looking for more guidance on dog nutrition beyond protein, our post on What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat Safely? is another great read.
Now that we know why protein matters, let’s explore how much your dog actually needs and how to interpret food labels.
So, How Much Protein is in Your Dog’s Food?
If you’ve ever looked at the back of a dog food label and seen something like “Crude Protein (min): 22 percent,” you’re not alone in wondering what that actually means. Crude protein is a measure of the nitrogen present in the food, which is representative of the protein content, but it doesn’t indicate the quality of the protein. Crude protein is reported as a minimum in a guaranteed analysis (GA: the information required on a pet food label – includes crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture). That means the minimum amount of protein must be at least the number on the label, however that number doesn’t take into account the moisture content, the fiber content, or the energy content of the food. So looking at crude protein numbers on their own isn’t really very helpful at face value as foods with less moisture or more fiber cannot really be compared this way.
Nutrient information can be expressed a few different ways, As Fed, on a Dry Matter basis, and on a Metabolizable Energy basis.
Chart below of examples of values and how they change based on reported values:
|
Type of food Dry Kibble, Air Dried, Wet Canned, Fresh frozen |
Crude Protein | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| As Fed (%) | Dry Matter (%) | Metabolizable Energy (grams /1000 kcal) | |
| Dry Kibble Diet 1 – ex lower fiber (TDF 18g/1000 kcal) | 20.5 | 22.3 | 54 |
|
Dry Kibble Diet 2 – ex higher fiber (TDF 68g/1000/kcal) |
25.3 | 27.5 | 80 |
| Dry Kibble Diet 3 | 20.2 | 22.0 | 60 |
| Air Dried Food – Beef & Berries | 25.0 | 27.3 | 68 |
| Air Dried Food – Salmon recipe | 24.0 | 25.0 | 64 |
| Air Dried Food – Turkey recipe | 33.0 | 40.0 | 103 |
|
Wet Food Diet 1 – ex lower fiber (TDF 17g/1000 kcal) |
7.2 | 24.3 | 60 |
|
Wet Food Diet 2 – ex higher fiber (54g/1000 kcal) |
5.3 | 24.5 | 66 |
|
Wet Food Diet 3 |
5.6 | 25.9 | 72 |
| Fresh Food – Beef Casserole | 11.50 | 28.0 |
70 |
| Fresh Food – Turkey Recipe | 13.0 | 40.0 |
100 |
| Fresh Food – Chicken & brown rice | 11.0 | 35.0 |
86 |
Looking at the chart above helps, but understanding the terminology is key to making the right choice.
Nutrient information on dog food labels can be expressed in several ways: As Fed, Dry Matter, and Metabolizable Energy. The “As Fed” value is the percentage you’ll see on the label in the Guaranteed Analysis (GA). However, this number alone can be misleading because it doesn’t account for moisture, fiber, or calorie content, making it difficult to compare foods fairly. For example, two foods with the same As Fed protein percentage could differ greatly in actual nutrient value if one contains more moisture or fiber than the other.
To compare foods more accurately, the Dry Matter value adjusts for moisture, allowing for a fairer comparison between diets with different water content. Still, this method doesn’t consider the overall energy density of the food. That’s where Metabolizable Energy (ME) values are most useful. ME values, expressed in grams of protein per 100 kcal (or sometimes per 1,000 kcal), take into account moisture, fiber, and energy content, giving the clearest picture of the true nutritional value.
Fiber, for example, impacts the Dry Matter content but doesn’t add calories, which is why ME values provide the most precise way to evaluate a food’s protein level. These ME values require specific testing and calculations. As a veterinary nutritionist, I use ME-based guidelines to categorize protein content as low, moderate, or high. Looking at the chart below, most of the diets listed are moderate in protein, with a few falling into the high-protein range and one considered low-protein.
Chart below: Protein requirements and general guidelines on low, moderate, and high protein diet content on a metabolizable energy basis (grams protein/100 kcal)
|
AAFCO |
General Guidelines/Ranges | |||
|
Growth Requirements including Large Breed Dogs (g/1000 kcal) |
Adult Maintenance (g/1000 kcal) | Low protein diet (g/1000 kcal) | Moderate protein diet (g/1000 kcal) |
High protein diet (g/1000 kcal) |
|
56.3 |
45 | <50 | 60-70 | > 90 |
Beyond the numbers, you might be wondering how to tell if your dog’s protein needs are being met.
How to Know If Your Dog Is Getting Enough
Every dog is different, and protein needs vary based on factors like age, breed, weight, neuter and health status, as well as activity level. In general:
- Puppies and active dogs need more protein to support growth and energy
- Senior dogs may benefit from higher protein to maintain lean muscle
- Less active dogs still need a balanced diet with enough high-quality protein to support overall wellness
If your dog is maintaining a healthy weight, has good energy, a full shiny coat, and lean muscle, that’s a great sign their protein intake is on track. For more tips on managing your pup’s health and weight, check out our guide on How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight.
Quantity alone isn’t enough, the source and quality of the protein are equally important.
Quality Over Quantity: What to Watch For
Protein from real meat, fish, or poultry is highly digestible and has a beneficial amino acid profile with less fiber (which can impact bioavailability), compared to sources like corn or wheat. Even if two foods list similar protein percentages, your dog may not absorb the same amount of nutrients from each.
At The Pets Table, all of our recipes are developed with veterinary nutrition expertise and made using real, high-quality protein from trusted sources. We also avoid artificial fillers and unnecessary low-nutrient ingredients. We test our products for protein content to ensure that all the essential amino acids are available to your pup, so they can continue to grow, play, and recover on a daily basis!
To sum it all up:
Choosing a recipe with real, high-quality ingredients makes all the difference. And when in doubt, always consult your vet for personalized recommendations.
Want to make mealtime a win for your pup? Explore our protein-rich, vet-developed recipes at The Pets Table with 50% off on your first box and see the difference a balanced diet can make.