Lets Talk about Nutrition III

Let's Talk about Nutrition III - the Question of Protein

Protein Sources for Dogs – Ranking Table

Here’s a comparison ranking table of protein sources for dogs based on digestibility, amino acid profile, and general pros/cons:

Rank	Protein Source	Digestibility ★★★★☆	Key Benefits	Possible Downsides
⭐1	Eggs	★★★★★ (≈100%)	Gold standard protein, complete amino acid profile, easy on stomach	Some dogs allergic, must be cooked
⭐2	Fish (salmon, sardine, herring, whitefish)	★★★★☆	Rich in omega-3s, great for skin/joints, hypoallergenic for many dogs	Pricey, risk of heavy metals in large fish
⭐3	Turkey	★★★★☆	Lean, digestible, less allergenic than chicken	Slightly less available, can be dry
⭐4	Chicken	★★★★☆	Lean, widely available, usually well-tolerated	Common allergen in dogs
⭐5	Beef	★★★☆☆	Flavorful, high in iron/zinc/B vitamins	Moderate digestibility, allergy risk, fattier cuts
⭐6	Lamb	★★★☆☆	Tasty, alternative for chicken/beef allergies	High in fat, can be rich for some dogs
⭐7	Duck	★★★☆☆	Palatable, often good for allergy diets	Fatty, expensive
⭐8	Venison	★★★☆☆	Lean, novel protein for allergies	Expensive, lower availability
⭐9	Rabbit	★★★☆☆	Very lean, hypoallergenic, good digestibility	Expensive, harder to source
⭐10	Kangaroo/ Exotic meats	★★★☆☆	Good for severe allergies, usually very lean	Very expensive, limited availability

Summery

• Eggs & fish are generally the best quality proteins for dogs.

• Poultry (chicken, turkey) = lean, digestible, but watch for allergies.

• Red meats (beef, lamb, venison) = richer in certain nutrients, better for active dogs, but less digestible and sometimes fatty.

• Novel proteins (duck, rabbit, kangaroo) = best when dealing with multiple allergies.

Eggs as a Supplement

• Protein content: 1 large egg (≈50 g) → about 6–7 g of protein, ~70 kcal.For a 15 kg dog, daily protein needs are roughly 25–35 g, so one egg is only about 20–25% of daily protein.

• Nutrient value: Eggs don’t just add protein — they also bring fatty acids, vitamins (A, D, E, B12), minerals (selenium, iron), and lecithin that support skin, coat, and overall health.

• Digestibility: Egg protein is highly digestible (the “gold standard”), so the body absorbs it very efficiently.

How Much Is Safe?

• Small dogs (5–10 kg): ½ egg, a few times a week.

• Medium dogs (10–20 kg): 1 egg, up to daily (but better 3–5x per week).

• Large dogs (20–35 kg): 1 egg daily is usually fine.

• Very large dogs (35+ kg): 1–2 eggs daily is generally safe.

The key is that eggs should not replace the main food but serve as a supplement (ideally <10% of daily)

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