Is your dog being a little picky lately with their food? It’s puzzling, especially when they’re in good health, but the appetite is just not there. But no need to dial up the worry button. There’s a chance your furry best friend is just craving something new!
The thing about our loveable pets is they’re sometimes exactly like us hoomans. We have our favourites when it comes to food—but imagine eating it every day! The same goes for our dogs. Yes, they happily munch on beef or chicken, but it doesn’t mean they’re not craving for something—sometimes anything—else.
One alternative that many paw parents lean-to is a ‘unique protein’ source. But what exactly is it? We know it’s getting increasingly difficult to choose which food is the best (there’s just too many in the market!), so we’re giving the lowdown on unique proteins and why you should let your pup give it a try.
What is a unique protein?
Proteins are the building blocks of life. More importantly, it’s a vital part of your dog’s diet. The amino acids (from which proteins are made) enable proper body function, healthy organ maintenance, hormone production, and more.
The most common protein choices are chicken, pork, or beef. While there’s nothing wrong with these proteins, some dogs develop intolerance and food allergies over time.
On the other hand, there are rarer proteins typically not found in mainstream meat sources. These ‘unique proteins’ can be found in sources like salmon, lamb, duck, and turkey. They also generally have higher quality than regular proteins.
This is one reason why paw parents flock to unique protein diets. The more we expose our dog’s digestive system to multiple proteins, the less likely they are to develop an allergic reaction.
But unique proteins are not only ideal for allergy issues, they have many other benefits, too.
It perks up the appetite
Dogs are not as picky as cats when it comes to food, but they still need a little variety. And because our pups are such huge meat lovers, unique proteins provide an added excitement during meals. The new smell and taste of their food will make mealtime even more enjoyable and tasty.
Helps prevent food intolerance
Overexposure to certain food ingredients may lead to allergies, intolerances, and more.
Including unique proteins in your dog’s diet may help decrease the chance of developing long-term health issues. Dogs also digest unique proteins more easily than regular ones.
A rotation of proteins gives your dog exposure to a wider variety of micronutrients essential for optimal health and nutrition. Plus, scientific studies have found that puppies fed a variety of food in their first year are less likely to develop food allergies later on.
Higher quality of protein
Unique proteins are often found in meat sources raised in a stress-free environment and fed with an appropriate diet. This is why their meat quality tends to be better, tastier, and healthier. Most unique proteins are often labeled as grain- or soy-free, natural, or made with limited ingredients.
Out with the old, in with the new
What can you do to make sure your dog has a healthy and palatable diet? You can start by slowly adding a small amount of their old food with new food during mealtime.
Loveabowl Salmon and Snow Crab is an excellent source of protein and gentle on your dog’s tummy. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help boost immunity, promote a healthy and shiny coat, and lower inflammation. Meanwhile, snow crab is low-fat, high protein, and contains three times the amount of selenium than cod and 12 times that of beef! Selenium has many great benefits for your dog. It helps maintain thyroid hormone levels, promote and preserve tissue elasticity, contain high levels of antioxidants, good reproductive health, to name a few.
You can also try Loveabowl Chicken and Atlantic Lobster. This tasty recipe offers a super source of omega-6 fatty acids, while the chicken provides glucosamine to keep your pup’s bones healthy and strong. The Atlantic Lobster is not only great-tasting but it’s also high in protein and low in fat —suitable for overweight dogs, as well as help proper growth of lean muscles for active pups. It’s also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and the risk of arthritis.
Our kibbles are made in Canada with fresh locally sourced ingredients. Gluten-free without artificial preservatives, wheat, corn, soy, or potato. No harmful ingredients! Just the essentials your dog needs to grow happy and healthy.
Remember that not all proteins are created equal! What works for your canine buddy might not work for others and vice versa. Make sure you do your research and always consult with your vet whenever making major changes in your dog’s diet. And when you do introduce a new protein, give it time and don‘t forget to reward your pooch for their progress.
Keeping our dogs in great shape takes work but seeing them happy and healthy makes it all worth it!
