How much Protein does my Pet Need?

The amount of protein in your pet's food is important. If a pet’s protein needs aren’t met, they can’t maintain lean muscle, and tend to be overweight. Sometimes overweight pets are not being fed too many calories, but rather the source of their calories is coming more from carbohydrates then protein. If all we ate was bread and pasta, likely we would be overweight, even on a calorie controlled diet. Dogs need 1 gram of protein per pound of IDEAL BODY WEIGHT every day, and cats need 2 grams of protein per pound of IDEAL BODY WEIGHT per day. Cats are strict carnivores whereas dogs are omnivores, like us, and don’t require as much protein in their diet. As an example, a 30lb dog at ideal body weight needs 30grams of protein each day, and a 9lb cat at ideal body weight needs 18grams of protein each day. Remember, a pet that is overweight needs their protein calculated for their ideal body weight. A dog that is 38lbs, but should be 30lbs, needs 30 grams of protein each day. Your veterinarian can help you determine what an ideal body weight is for your pet. Also, certain medical conditions require a low protein diet, like kidney disease. Always consult your veterinarian before switching foods if your pet has a medical condition that is being managed with food, like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, or joint problems. Find out more about how to chose the pet food for your pet by logging ontowestgatepetclinicmn.com