Why Is Protein From Meat Sources Important

While plenty of debate exists about whether plant or animal proteins are better for humans, the evidence is quite clear for our canine and feline companions. Animal proteins are complete proteins, they provide pets with all 10 essential amino acids in the right proportion (fun fact: dogs have 10 essential amino acids while cats have 11).

Dogs are considered facultative carnivores that can digest some plant matter, but their bodies need foods rich in animal protein to achieve optimal health. Cats, on the other hand, are obligate carnivores and can ONLY process animal protein. For cats and dogs, animal-source protein is more bio-available and highly digestible, which means it will be absorbed by your pet’s body easily. Your pet is more likely to receive the amino acids and other essential nutrients from animal proteins in the right proportions, thereby supporting their overall health and development.

Plant proteins, on the other hand, are incomplete protein sources for cats and dogs. Plant proteins either lack some amino acids or provide only small amounts of essential amino acids per serving to your pets. For example, taurine, an essential amino acid for cats, is available only through animal-based proteins such as beef, lamb, pork, chicken, salmon, and shellfish. Taurine supports your cat’s heart and eye health, brain, immune system, and digestive functioning and a deficiency of it can result in heart disease, retinal disorders, reproductive issues, and a weak immune system.

Common plant proteins found in pet food:

• Pea Protein
• Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans
• Potato Protein or Rice
• Soy Protein
• Corn Gluten Meal
• Rice, Oats & Wheat

Similarly, Vitamin B12, which supports nervous system function, red blood cell production, metabolism, and DNA synthesis in pets, is available only from animal meat sources such as meats such as beef, lamb, pork, fish, poultry, and organ meats such as liver, kidneys, and heart.

Plant proteins are also less bioavailable, which means that dogs and cats find it tougher to digest these foods and absorb nutrients from them. Meat, especially red meat, organ meats like kidney, heart and blood are rich sources of heme iron for pets. Heme iron is also found in poultry, and fish.

Case in point: heme iron is an essential nutrient for dogs and cats found only in animal-sourced meat. It helps form hemoglobin in energy production and supports immune and brain functioning. A lack of heme iron can lead to anemia in pets, which can show up as weakness and fatigue, poor appetite, and rapid breathing.

Pets can also get iron through plant sources, but heme iron is superior because it is a highly bioavailable form of iron and is easily absorbed by the body.  Similarly, Omega-3 fatty acids are available in animal and plant sources, but EPA and DHA Omega-3s are the most beneficial forms for pets, and they are only found in fish.

While there is no denying the importance of animal-sourced protein in pet food, pet parents need to be cognizant of including vegetables and fruits to have a balanced diet, especially for dogs that are naturally omnivores.