The importance of proteins in the food of our dogs
Dogs are carnivorous animals and for that reason their digestive system is prepared to receive and process high amounts of protein, which fulfills multiple functions within their organism. To understand The importance of proteins in the life of our pets It is necessary to know what they are for and why the organism needs them for proper functioning. Within the animal organism, proteins fulfill basic functions that can be classified into two types:
Proteins are considered all those substances that have direct participation in basic metabolic processes. There are hormones that are protein and that fulfill transport functions, for example hemoglobin. In fact, the same immune system is composed of proteins since antibodies, which are responsible for the body to defend diseases, are also protein molecules. In puppies, proteins allow tissues and muscles to be created and form, therefore, a good amount of proteins will make the puppy grow correctly, with health and strength. In adult dogs, proteins serve to maintain muscle mass, hair, skin, bones and maintain the proper functioning of vital systems. As dogs age their protein need, but it is still equally necessary. 
Dogs receive the necessary amount of proteins that directly require the foods they consume, for this reason the food must be adequate based on the feed formulated to meet the corresponding nutritional needs with the life stage in which the dog is located, as well as its size, race and general health status. In contrast, When we feed our pet inadequately we can cause vitamin and protein deficiencies which directly affects the quality of life of the dog and accelerates the aging process and the possibility of degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis.
The protein quality that the dog requires will depend directly on their digestibility. Those that are digestible are those that contain essential amino acids that cover the animal's requirements while those of low quality are difficult to digest and have amino acid deficit, so we need the former and we get it only on premium quality foods. Proteins do not accumulate within the animal body, the body is simply responsible for transporting it to the body tissues that require it and is used by them, hence the bioavailability and the value of the proteins that we contribute to our pets are important, since on that good health and the quality of life they have depends. When the dog ingests excess proteins, its body is going to undo from them through the urine. In the event that excess protein extends for a long time, it will begin to be stored in fat. Then, if the dog feeds with little protein, the animal will show symptoms such as weakness, weight loss and its fur will become rough and opaque.
The same goes for bitches in a state of gestation and in the breastfeeding period, which will require a superior nutritional and protein contribution to meet the needs of your body, as with dogs that are injured, sick or in the process of recovery or convalescence, which require more protein to recover satisfactorily. Now that we have learned The importance of our pet receiving a good protein contribution in your diet, we need to learn to choose the right food and for this we need to look at the nutritional table that the bags of feed have at their back. There is the percentage of vitamins, minerals and proteins that the dog will be ingesting with each ration of food and depending on the ingredients involved in the elaboration of food, we can determine the quality of the protein that we are giving to eat our pet. Protein sources such as chicken, beef, ox, lamb and fish are preferable and in concentration greater than 20%.
- Structural: They are those proteins that constitute bone and muscle tissues as well as hair and nails.
- Metabolic: They are those proteins that have active participation in the physiology of the organism. This group includes enzymes and hormones that serve as catalysts of the metabolic process.
Proteins are considered all those substances that have direct participation in basic metabolic processes. There are hormones that are protein and that fulfill transport functions, for example hemoglobin. In fact, the same immune system is composed of proteins since antibodies, which are responsible for the body to defend diseases, are also protein molecules. In puppies, proteins allow tissues and muscles to be created and form, therefore, a good amount of proteins will make the puppy grow correctly, with health and strength. In adult dogs, proteins serve to maintain muscle mass, hair, skin, bones and maintain the proper functioning of vital systems. As dogs age their protein need, but it is still equally necessary. Dogs receive the necessary amount of proteins that directly require the foods they consume, for this reason the food must be adequate based on the feed formulated to meet the corresponding nutritional needs with the life stage in which the dog is located, as well as its size, race and general health status. In contrast, When we feed our pet inadequately we can cause vitamin and protein deficiencies which directly affects the quality of life of the dog and accelerates the aging process and the possibility of degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis.
Importance of proteins from the canine diet
The proteins that we supply to our pets through food are of vital importance, as they have the ability to provide them with the amount of essential amino acids they need to make the synthesis of new proteins that will help them repair their tissues and maintain muscle mass in optimal state. The protein quality that the dog requires will depend directly on their digestibility. Those that are digestible are those that contain essential amino acids that cover the animal's requirements while those of low quality are difficult to digest and have amino acid deficit, so we need the former and we get it only on premium quality foods. Proteins do not accumulate within the animal body, the body is simply responsible for transporting it to the body tissues that require it and is used by them, hence the bioavailability and the value of the proteins that we contribute to our pets are important, since on that good health and the quality of life they have depends. When the dog ingests excess proteins, its body is going to undo from them through the urine. In the event that excess protein extends for a long time, it will begin to be stored in fat. Then, if the dog feeds with little protein, the animal will show symptoms such as weakness, weight loss and its fur will become rough and opaque.
Find the appropriate protein balance
We can find the protein in meats, dairy products and eggs and can even be found in some vegetables, grains and legumes. The body of dogs does not have the ability to store proteins as it happens with fat and other nutrients, it is for that reason that the protein has to be delivered daily in its diet and depending on the race, age and health condition and the type of activities you perform will have your own need to complete. For example, animals that daily have a heavy job such as guide, hunting dogs and rescue dogs, all of them are in activity and constant wear, therefore require much more protein than a dog that leads a somewhat more sedentary life. Therefore, the appropriate thing will be that the dogs that carry out demanding activities are feed them with feed of good energy and protein content. The same goes for bitches in a state of gestation and in the breastfeeding period, which will require a superior nutritional and protein contribution to meet the needs of your body, as with dogs that are injured, sick or in the process of recovery or convalescence, which require more protein to recover satisfactorily. Now that we have learned The importance of our pet receiving a good protein contribution in your diet, we need to learn to choose the right food and for this we need to look at the nutritional table that the bags of feed have at their back. There is the percentage of vitamins, minerals and proteins that the dog will be ingesting with each ration of food and depending on the ingredients involved in the elaboration of food, we can determine the quality of the protein that we are giving to eat our pet. Protein sources such as chicken, beef, ox, lamb and fish are preferable and in concentration greater than 20%.
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