Protein for dogs
Excellent 
Over 35,000 reviews on
Protein builds and repairs your dog’s muscles, coat, claws and more. And the benefits don’t stop there. Protein fuels growth, provides energy, and supports your dog’s metabolism. But how much does your dog really need? And does the type of protein they eat matter? Read on to find out, and discover how a tailor-made diet can help.
Protein in all shapes and sizes
Protein is made up of building blocks, called amino acids. There are 21 in all. Some of these, dogs can make. But 10 – known as the essential amino acids – can only come from their food.
Each type of protein contains a different combination of amino acids. To get the full set, your dog’s food needs to include a variety of protein-rich ingredients. That means animal proteins from meat and fish, plus high quality plant proteins too – from whole grains, and vegetables like peas. At tails.com, we combine animal and plant proteins to create a unique recipe for your dog – one that’s specifically balanced for their needs.
What to look for on the label
The amount of meat in your dog’s food doesn’t necessarily reveal how much protein they’re getting. Why? Because meat contains other things too – like fat, minerals and water. If you only look at meat, you’re ignoring other protein-rich ingredients – like those healthy whole grains we mentioned earlier.
At tails.com, we break things down, so you can see exactly what's in your dog's food – healthy levels of protein, balanced especially for them.
Protein, balanced just for your dog
Lots of things affect how much protein your dog needs – their age, health and energy level included. That’s why we get to know your dog’s needs by asking you a few simple questions, so our vets and nutritionists can recommend a recipe and feeding plan that’s just right. Tell us your dog’s favourite flavour, and we’ll do our best to blend that in too.
1. Extra protein for active, growing dogs
Got a dog who loves bouncing, chasing and playing? Fat and carbohydrates are excellent sources for the calories they need. But if your dog needs extra protein to support growth and repair, a high protein dog food can help boost their energy levels too.
Our highest protein kibbles are 31% protein – ideal for growing puppies. But more isn’t always better. For some dogs, this extra protein is plain unnecessary. For others, it can contribute to health issues. That’s why we ask you about your dog, and create a recipe especially for them.
2. A little less, if needed
Protein keeps muscles strong, helps cells repair and boosts energy levels. Every dog needs it. But older dogs may need a little less. The same goes for dogs who prefer a nap on the sofa to a sprint round the park.
Health and breed can be important too – for example, a protein-rich diet can be too high in purines for some breeds. This can increase the risk of urate bladder stones in dogs like Dalmatians. Our tailored blends include the right level and type of proteins to help keep them healthy.
3. Support their happiness
Owners of hyperactive dogs sometimes ask us about low protein dog food. Our usual recommendation: extra mental stimulation from toys and puzzles, more exercise, or a visit to a professional dog trainer or dog behaviourist. These have all been shown to do the trick without the need to cut back on all-important protein. But protein can occasionally play a small role in some behaviour issues, so if these suggestions don’t improve things, get in touch.
4. Balance their protein around an allergy or intolerance
If you know, or suspect, your dog has an allergy or intolerance to a protein source, we can help. In a few clicks, you can ask for a tails.com recipe without a specific ingredient – beef, dairy and chicken are the ones most commonly associated with food sensitivities. You can also ask us to focus on a particular animal protein – another good way to reduce the chance of food allergies or intolerances. Or if you prefer, you can choose a hypoallergenic blend. Whichever you choose, we’ll balance your dog’s recipe to make sure they get all the nutrients they need.
Here to help
At tails.com we create tailor-made food for every dog. There’s no better way to make sure they get the right amount, and type, of protein as part of a nutritionally complete diet. If you think your dog might need a different amount of protein because of a health condition, talk to us at hello@tails.com. We’ve got tons of expertise in getting the balance right.
It’s really quick to get started: tell us about your dog, and you’ll see their full feeding plan straight away – meat content, protein content, the lot.