by Chelsea Kent
Pet owners are often told to seek “low protein” diets for pets with certain conditions. But what does “low protein” actually mean? And is it always appropriate—or even safe?
Let’s break down the facts.
When Is a Lower Protein Diet Suggested?
Veterinarians may recommend lowering protein intake in specific conditions, most commonly:
Liver shunts (portosystemic shunts)
Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE)
Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN)
In these cases, the quality and source of protein becomes more important than the total quantity. Even then, some evidence suggests that increasing sodium may help the body retain protein more efficiently, meaning the problem may not be the protein at all.
Why “Low Protein” Often Means “Less Than Excessive —Not Inadequate Intake
“Low protein” is a relative term. It doesn’t mean the pet needs less than they require. In fact, feeding below the minimum requirement can lead to:
Muscle wasting / Cachexia
Delayed wound healing
Edema (fluid retention)
Increased risk of fractures
Fatty liver disease
Weakened immune response
The AAFCO (2024) absolute adult maintenance minimums are:
Dogs: 45g of protein per 1,000 kcal of food
Cats: 56g of protein per 1,000 kcal
That’s roughly 18% dry matter for dogs and 26% dry matter for cats (though exact DM%
depends on food moisture).
Protein Needs Depend on More Than Just % on the Label.
Protein needs are based on calorie intake, which depends on:
Body size (smaller pets need more protein per pound due to higher calorie needs)
Age (young and growing animals need more)
Activity level (active animals need more)
Body composition (lean pets need more protein than overweight pets)
Spay/neuter status (intact pets often have higher caloric and protein demands)
Applying a fixed “protein %” across all pets is inappropriate. A 25% protein food might provide 1.3g/lb/day in one case, and 1.8g/lb/day in another, based on how much is fed.
Why Protein Percentage Doesn’t Reflect Intake
Consider three foods with the same listed protein percentage but different calorie and moisture levels:
|
Brand |
Protein % |
Moisture % |
Calories/oz |
Ounces to Feed for 500 kcal |
Protein Consumed (g/day) |
|
Brand 1 |
24% |
68% |
88 |
5.68 |
38.9 g |
|
Brand 2 |
24% |
79% |
27 |
18.52 |
127 g |
|
Brand 3 |
24% |
10% |
105 |
4.76 |
32.6 g |
What About Solutions Pet Products?
Solutions’ diets average 14–16% protein which is equal to an average of 46.9% dry matter, but because they’re fed in adequate amounts for real-world calorie needs, they provide about 24.4g of protein per day for an average 25 lb dog. AAFCO minimum for that dog is 21g/day. We use extremely high-quality proteins that are digestible, biologically appropriate, and never excessive. Solutions is not a high-protein food—it is a nutritionally complete one.
The Truth About the Label: Minimums Only
Legally, all pet food must list protein as a minimum—e.g., “Crude Protein (min) 24%.” There is no legal maximum, and no requirement to state actual tested content. So, a food labeled 24% could technically have 40% or more. That’s perfectly legal.
| Minimum Protein Chart: Dogs & Cats | |||||
| Dog Weight (lbs) | Daily Calories | Minimum Protein (g/day) | |||
| 10 | 200 | 9 g/day | |||
| 20 | 400 | 18 g/day | |||
| 30 | 600 | 27 g/day | |||
| 50 | 1,000 | 45 g/day | |||
| 70 | 1,225 | 55 g/day | |||
| 90 | 1,350 | 61 g/day | |||
| Cat Weight (lbs) | Daily Calories | Minimum Protein (g/day) | |||
| 10 | 200 | 11 g/day | |||
| Adjust for activity, age, and spay/neuter status: | |||||
| Increase 10–25% for active pets | |||||
| Increase 15% for intact pets | |||||
| Increase as much as 40% for puppies | |||||
Why Sodium Matters in Protein-Losing Conditions
Low tissue sodium (as seen in HTMA tests) often correlates with poor adrenal function or systemic stress. When sodium is low:
– The kidneys lose their ability to retain protein
– Protein is dumped into the urine
– Quantitative HTMA may show elevated sulfur (from amino acid loss)
– The vet sees protein in the urine and assumes the diet is too high in protein
In reality, this is often a sodium-retention problem, not a protein-excess problem.
Not All Vets Are Nutrition Trained Veterinary school curriculum rarely includes in-depth nutrition unless vets seek continuing education. Most coursework is sponsored by Hills (via the Mark Morris Foundation) or Royal
Canin (Waltham), focusing on processed, prescription-style diets.
That’s why some vets suggest vague, outdated advice like “find a food with <25% protein.” This oversimplification lacks the nuance required to match the pet’s actual needs.
If you want to talk to a vet who has pursued nutritional expertise, check out:
– Dr. Katie Kangas — IntVetCare.com
– Dr. Barrie Sands — DrBarrieSands.com
– Dr. Cathy Alinovi — HealthyPawsibilities.com
Or follow holistic nutrition-focused vets like: Dr. Karen Becker, Dr. Barbara Royal, Dr. Ruth Roberts, Dr. Doug Kneuven, and others on YouTube and social media.
What If You Really Need to Lower Protein?
If your vet insists on lowering protein:
– Don’t go below the minimum requirement
– Modify the existing food using whole foods that lower the percentage of protein but not the total calories
Examples:
– Raw goat milk
– Jiggles (gelatin or bone broth)
– Sprouted seeds like Carna4
– Vegetable blends (Anderson’s Natural Produce Blends, Canine Caviar Synergy, Green
Juju smoothie blends and fermented beets)
– Soaked/cooked oats
In Summary
– Protein needs are absolute, not percentage-based.
– “Low protein” doesn’t mean less than required—it just means not excessive.
– Solutions Pet Products provides adequate, not excessive, protein using the
highest quality ingredients.
– Reducing protein below AAFCO minimums may cause harm.
– Understand the real numbers—not just the percentage on the label.