7 Best Low Protein Dog Food In 2023 (+Recipes)

Any diet, but especially one for dogs, must have protein. However, not all dogs can tolerate a diet high in protein, thus low-protein dog food is essential for those dogs. What exactly constitutes a “low protein” dog food, though? Which breeds of dogs (and which breeds wouldn’t) benefit the most from a diet low in protein? And what qualities should pet owners seek while purchasing this kind of dog food? So, in this article, we’ll look at the 7 best homemade, low-fat, non-prescription protein dog food recipes for kidney disease in 2023.

What Is Low Protein Dog Food?

Let’s start by talking about the classification of this specific brand of dog food.
According to Brooks, “normal dog food typically provides at least 25% dietary protein on a dry matter basis.” “Low protein dog food” is essentially dog food with less protein than typical adult dog food.
By how much less? On a dry matter (DM) basis, it typically contains less than 20% dietary protein, according to Brooks.

It’s crucial to understand the distinction between the “as fed” figure indicated on the assured analysis and the dry matter basis mentioned by Brooks when assessing the protein level of dog food. Utilizing the dry matter protein content will allow you to compare two items directly and with the greatest degree of accuracy.

The numbers for crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber are listed in the assured analysis on a dog food label on an “as-fed” basis, which takes the product’s moisture into account.

Low Protein Dog Food for Kidney Disease

Are you trying to find recipes for homemade, low-protein dog food for kidney disease? You’re in luck, I suppose. We have homemade that is suitable for an elderly dog on a low-protein food due to kidney disease. It’s simple to give your dog these homemade foods formulated for his medical needs every day. Simply adhere to our straightforward instructions.

How to Make a Homemade Low-Protein Dog Food for Kidney Disease

A low-protein food may be suggested by your veterinarian if your dog has kidney disease or chronic renal failure (CRF). Meat and eggs are good sources of protein. You can manage how much protein your dog eats by giving him homemade low-protein dog food.
While a dog with severe kidney disease shouldn’t consume more than 1 gram of protein per pound per day, a dog in the early stages of CRF needs a diet that is half protein. Your dog will need more carbohydrates than protein at this point.

It is best to have your veterinarian determine the right dietary requirements so you can give the right mixture of substances. Experts advise that your dog’s food should contain the following to deliver the correct nutrition:

Moderate to high fat intake
Moderate quantities of superior protein
A low phosphorus content
Moderate intakes of carbs low in phosphorus
Keep your dog hydrated by giving him plenty of water, juice, broth, and other liquids.

Your dog needs ⅓ of its total daily calorie intake as fat, ⅓ as protein, and ⅓ as carbohydrates.

Three Homemade Low-Protein Dog Food Recipes for Kidney Disease

Each of these homemade recipes contains a low food of protein, making them perfect for a dog with kidney disease. Additionally, they won’t reject the flavor outright. These homemade renal disease dog food recipes are easy to prepare and don’t call for a lot of ingredients.

Recipe 1 for Low Protein

You simply only a few ingredients for this dish. Keep in mind that you can alter these recipes to suit the preferences of your dogs. However, most dogs ought to like these meals exactly as they are without any modifications. You’ll need the following ingredients for this recipe:

1 pound of ground pork or beef
1 cup carrots
1 cup sweet potatoes
1 cup green beans
½ cup beets
2 cups of starch (white rice, macaroni, malt o’meal)
3 ounces of organ meat (calf liver, chicken liver, pork liver, etc)
Supplemental powder

Start by cooking your starch per the instructions on the package to make this dish. Brown your meat once this is prepared. Prepare your vegetables while the meat is cooking. As long as the vegetables are cut into little bits, you can use canned, steamed, or boiled vegetables. The organ meat needs to be cooked and diced small. While the pig or beef is cooking, you can include this in the mixture.

Drain the fat after the meat has finished cooking, then add all the ingredients. Give the mixture five to ten minutes to cool. For simple preparation, divide into equal parts and freeze in individual zip-top bags or containers. Simply thaw and serve.

Low Protein Recipe 2 – for early to late stages of kidney disease

The preparation time for the second recipe, a single-serve supper, is 20 minutes. A quarter pound of ground beef (DO NOT use ground chuck), two cups of white rice, one egg, and three pieces of white bread that have been broken are all that is required. A teaspoon of calcium carbonate, a supplement that provides your dog with all the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrition he requires, can also be added.

Two cups of white rice should be cooked according to the recipe’s instructions. Cook the steak to a light brown color while the rice is cooking. Avoid draining. The remaining components are then combined by stirring. Try adding extra water if the mixture appears to be too dry until it is adequately moistened. Don’t season your dog’s food with salt. It poses a risk to his health.

It takes one recipe to make one loaf. Up until serving time, keep chilled and covered. A dog weighing 5 pounds will consume roughly ¼ pound of food each day.

Low Protein Recipe 3 – Gluten-Free

You would save a recipe like this one, which yields 8 cups, for later use. You’ll need 3 pounds of turkey, 3 cups of baby spinach, 2 carrots, ½ cup of peas, 1 zucchini, 1½ cups of brown rice, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to make this gluten-free, low-protein dinner.

This meal will have a nutritional value of 50% protein, 25% vegetables, and 25% grains. It contains 4.2 grams of saturated fat, 15.1 grams of total fat, and 412.3 grams of calories. Moreover, it has 36.1 grams of protein and 31 grams of carbohydrates.

The first thing you should do is cook your rice and set it aside. Now, heat your olive oil over medium heat in a sizable stockpot or Dutch oven. Then crumble and brown the turkey. Chop your carrots, zucchini, and baby spinach while the meat is cooking. When the meat is done, combine it with the prepared rice and vegetables. Cook the mixture for three to five minutes.

After the food has totally cooled, dish it up into servings and put each one in the freezer or fridge. It will take 45 minutes to complete this dish in its entirety.

Low Fat Low Protein Dog Food

Here are the best low-fat dog foods for 2023:

#1. Annamaet Lean Reduced Fat Formula

With only 8% fat and 30% protein, Annamaet Lean Reduced Fat is a grain-free dog food made with premium ingredients. The primary source of protein in this recipe is chicken meal, and it also contains extra L-carnitine, which supports a healthy weight while maintaining your dog’s mental clarity.

#2. Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Dog Food

Just 7% of Eagle Pack’s Reduced Fat Dog Food is fat, but it still has 24% protein. Pork meal, a meat product high in protein, is the main component. The Eagle Pack contains gluten-free grains including oats and brown rice but is not entirely grain-free. When compared to other premium lean foods, Eagle Pack is comparatively low, which is one of its greatest selling points.

#3. Nulo Freestyle Adult Trim Dry Dog Food

The well-regarded Nulo Freestyle Adult Trim Dog Food is a grain-free, low-fat dog food with only 8% fat and 30% protein. Due to the presence of cod, turkey meal, and salmon meal as the major proteins, it’s a fantastic option for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs. L-carnitine helps your dog’s metabolism while pure probiotics aid in digestion.

#4. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management

To encourage regulated weight loss, Purina Pro Plan Weight Management is specifically created. For dogs vulnerable to pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal issues, its low-fat level makes it a healthy choice.

Best Low Protein Dog Food

You understand how challenging it may be to locate wholesome food options if you are the owner of a dog who needs a low-protein diet. The majority of dog meals contain a lot of protein, which is bad for dogs who have conditions like kidney or liver disease. The 7 best low-protein dog food options available will be discussed and reviewed in this blog post. We’ll also offer advice on how to select the best food for your dog.

Here are the top low-protein dog food choices available right now.

#1. Nature’s Logic Canine Grain

Nature’s Logic Canine Duck & Salmon Feast All Life Stages canned dog food is the best overall low-protein dog food. For dogs who need to eat food low in protein, Nature’s Logic is a fantastic choice. High-quality ingredients like salmon and herring, which are excellent for dogs’ heart health, are used to make it. Additionally, this food is grain-free, which may be beneficial for some dogs with specific allergies but not necessarily for all dogs. Consult your veterinarian if you’re not sure if this food is the appropriate choice for your dog. The drawback is that it costs more than other dog food manufacturers.

#2. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food

If your dog has sensitive skin or a sensitive stomach, the Blue Buffalo Basics line is an excellent choice. Additionally, it offers the best value in low-protein dog food. This food is grain-free and produced with premium ingredients such as lamb that has been deboned, potatoes, and peas. Additionally, it contains omega fatty acids, which are excellent for preserving the health of your dog’s skin and coat. It also has little protein, which is low for canines with kidney or liver disease, and few calories, which is low for overweight canines.

#3. Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Mobility Dry Dog Food

For large breeds that require assistance with mobility, Hill’s Science Diet is a fantastic choice. This food is created without grains and uses top-notch ingredients. Additionally, it contains little protein, which is low for canines with renal or liver disease. Additionally, the calorie content is quite low. But compared to other brands, this food is more pricey.

#4. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Dog Food

Wellness is a terrific alternative for small-breed dogs that need to lose weight, but this food can also be an excellent option for pups to prevent them from accumulating too much weight at an early age. High-quality ingredients are used to make this food, including deboned turkey, and lean meat that is free of grains. Additionally, it contains little protein, which is low for canines with renal or liver disease.

#5. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canned Dog Food

For dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive problems, Royal Canin is a fantastic choice. This food is low in fat, packed with premium ingredients, and comes highly recommended by veterinarians. Additionally, it contains little protein, which is low for canines with renal or liver disease.

Non-Prescription Low Protein Dog Food

There are numerous alternatives to choose from. Being extra cautious while selecting the best one for your pup’s needs is more important than ever because their health is at stake. To get you started, check out this list of over-the-counter and prescription dog foods. 4 of the best non-prescription low-phosphorus dry dog foods available

#1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Moderate Calorie Dry Dog Food

Targeting a number of health conditions, this Royal Canin dry dog food is available without a prescription. It is a highly digestible recipe with the right phosphorus concentrations for renal health. The presence of hydrolyzed protein in this food makes it unique. The source of the protein is soy, which has been partially disassembled into its constituent parts. This facilitates the effortless assimilation of the necessary amino acids by your dog.

#2. Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health-The Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix (Phosphorus content – 0.35%)

If you want more control over what your dog eats, this pre-mix from Dr. Harvey’s is a fantastic choice. It includes a variety of beneficial grains, plenty of herbs, and dried veggies to give your dog a balanced meal.

#3. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Venison Formula (Phosphorus content – 0.6%)

Natural Balance’s Limited Ingredients Diet gives your dog only the things they really need. It doesn’t contain any extraneous substances. This relieves protein strain without depriving your dog of the essential proteins, vitamins, and nutrients for good health. About 20% of the formula is made up of protein in total.

#4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe (Phosphorus content – 0.7%)

The Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula is made to maintain your dog’s health over the course of its lifetime. It offers significantly less protein than the majority of kibbles you’ll find on the market—only 0.7 percent to be exact. Additionally, it contains 1% of calcium, which helps limit your dog’s phosphorus intake. This recipe includes excellent sources of protein including lamb and fish meals. Proteins account for 22% of the recipe.

Conclusion

If your veterinarian advises you that your dog needs one of these 7 best homemade, low-fat, low-protein dog foods, it may be because your dog has been identified as having acute or chronic kidney disease. The kidneys have to work harder to clear waste as a result of processing proteins. Although it is possible to buy commercial low-protein dog food, it is also useful to know what low-protein foods you may give your dog on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dog food is low in protein and phosphorus?

A veterinary diet made by Royal Canin Dog food for renal support, type A. Kidney Function Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dog Food. Natural Veterinary Diet by Blue Buffalo Dog food for kidney support from KS. Limited-edition bland chicken and rice canned dog food from Dave’s Pet Food.

What kind of dog food should I feed my dog with pancreatitis?

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d or Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat are two prescription diets that vets could recommend to dogs with digestive problems, such as pancreatitis. Food for pancreatitis sufferers is typically advised to have less than 18% fat.

What is the number 1 healthiest dog food?

Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Formula Dog Dry Food.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Canned Dog Food.
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Patties Grain-Free Dog Food.
NomNomNow Subscription Dog Food.
The Farmer’s Dog Subscription Dog Food.

What do you feed a dog with a protein allergy?

Best Foods for Allergy-Prone Dogs

Nom Fresh (Limited Ingredient Food)
Wellness Simple (Limited Ingredient Food)
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Hydrolyzed Protein (Hypoallergenic Food)
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet (Limited Ingredient Food)
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets (Hypoallergic Food)