Author: Claire Lucie

The billion-dollar question is how dogs can acquire adequate protein on a plant-based diet.

If you are sceptical that a plant-based diet can offer adequate protein for your dog, are unsure of the best plant protein sources for your dog, or are simply curious, this captivating, science-backed article will answer all of your concerns!

Proteins are complex molecules that perform the majority of the work in cells. They are vital to the structure, regulation, and function of your dog’s body.

The canine body uses 23 amino acids to synthesize protein. 13 Of those amino acids are produced by your dog’s body and are referred to as “non-essential amino acids” since canines do not require them from outside sources and can synthesize them; taurine is one of these.

The other ten amino acids are referred to as “essential amino acids,” which means that dogs cannot synthesize them from within their bodies and must be obtained from food and/or dietary supplementation, regardless of the diet they are fed.

The ten essential amino acids are arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

The role of proteins in your dog’s body

Proteins are the building blocks of your dog’s body.

Proteins are required by your dog’s body to develop and repair muscles and body tissues, as well as to make new cells, grow hairs, and make new skin cells. They also play an important part in the production of body compounds like enzymes and hormones.

Proteins are obtained from food, but are mostly synthesized inside the canine body from amino acids.

Age, illness, and activity levels all determine how much protein your dog needs.

The most important thing to know here is that proteins are produced within your dog’s body.

Yes, proteins are primarily synthesized by your dog’s body from essential amino acids (source).

Protein consumption should not be a cause for worry as long as your dog receives all of the needed essential amino acids. Unless your dog has been diagnosed with particular health disorders that may impair its capacity to synthesise proteins.

Be mindful that if your dog has received one or more rounds of aminoglycoside antibiotics without receiving adequate support in rebuilding its damaged and imbalanced gut microbiota subsequent to antibiotic administration, your dog’s natural capacity to synthesise protein may be restricted.

Several groups of antibiotics are recognized by science to inhibit or interfere with bacterial protein synthesis (source).

Animal protein consumption is highly inflammatory for the canine body, and even a single serving of animal protein, such as dairy, eggs, fish, or meat, causes inflammation within one hour after ingestion (source).

It takes 5 to 6 hours for the canine body to begin reducing inflammation, but then another meal containing animal proteins is consumed, and inflammation rises again without being eliminated completely.

Consumption of processed meat (the primary component in kibble and canned food), as well as fatty meats like beef, lamb, and pork, has been demonstrated to cause low-grade inflammation (sources: 1, 2, 3)

This process causes continual micro-inflammation throughout your dog’s organs and tissues.

And why is this a concern?

Humans and dogs share more than 300 illnesses, and inflammation plays a major role in the development of the majority of chronic inflammatory diseases, including as cancer, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, chronic inflammatory diseases, renal disorders, and autoimmune diseases.

Giving your dog a diet that causes this inflammatory condition within its body increases its risk of acquiring chronic, inflammatory, or immune-related disorders, including cancer (sources: 1,2,3,4)

Plant-based diets and proteins are naturally anti-inflammatory, mainly owing to the anti-inflammatory properties of phytonutrients found in plants.

Plant phytonutrients help to avoid significant chronic illnesses, such as cancer (source).

Your dog can benefit from phytonutrients in plants by eating a range of fruits and vegetables, ideally raw, because many phytonutrients have their structure destroyed when cooked or boiled.

Regular consumption of raw fruits and vegetables for phytonutrient intake is also necessary to maintain your dog’s gut microbiota, which is the foundation of canine health.

” Phytonutrients are promoting the growth and reproduction of beneficial microbiota while inhibiting the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microbiota. “

Source: 1.

While it is popular to think that dogs require proteins from meat, this is undoubtedly wrong. All of the amino acids required for protein synthesis can be supplied in plant and vegan sources, both through food and dietary supplementation.

Another point of concern is the bioavailability and digestion of plant proteins in dogs.

The decreased bioavailability of nutrients, as well as any small digestive issues that may emerge, are mostly caused by compounds known as antinutrients, which are found in legumes, grains, seeds, and nuts and serve as defence barriers against foreign predators.

However, the antinutrients in those plants may be reduced to a level that has no negative effects on your dog by simply soaking them in water for 8 to 12 hours and rinsing them before cooking.

Following that soaking method, plant proteins have significantly greater bioavailability and digestibility.

If you’re giving your dog a homemade plant-based diet, this soaking method is simple and will guarantee that the plant proteins and key amino acids required for protein synthesis are as bioavailable and digestible as possible.

As I explain to my audience at vegan summits and events throughout the world:

” According to the United States Department of Agriculture, tempeh contains more protein than salmon! Tempeh’s fermentation process significantly increases its protein bioavailability, making it an ideal protein source in plant-based canine diets.”

To summarise, an adequate amount of protein may be easily provided to your dog in a plant-based diet, and their bioavailability and digestibility can be increased to be comparable to meat if properly prepared.

Quinoa, beans, chickpeas, tofu, and tempeh are excellent sources of protein for a plant-based dog.

Claire Lucie Sonck
The science of plant-based nutrition for dogs
Certified, CMA-registered canine nutritionist;
Founder The Vegan Dog Coach;
Instagram : @thevegandogcoach
Contact : [email protected]

Claire Lucie is a UK-certified canine nutrition coach, founder of The Vegan Dog Coach, and a member of the prestigious Complementary Medical Association. Her mission is to improve the health and longevity of 100 million dogs worldwide by promoting a plant-based diet, based on the latest insights in nutrition and canine health. Over the past two years, she has dedicated her life to studying more than 250 scientific studies on the impact of nutrition on the health and longevity of dogs!

Visit www.thevegandogcoach.com for free resources, consultation, and professional guidance in plant-based canine nutrition, inspiring testimony from plant-based dogs and vets, free recipes, and all the science behind your dog’s plant-based diet and nutrition. 

Disclaimer

This material is intended for educational purposes only. No information in this present article, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct veterinary advice from your veterinarian or other qualified canine health professional.

The vegan dog coach, Claire Lucie Sonck, VegaVriend, and their respective employees or collaborators cannot be held liable for any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the use of any information contained in the present article.