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You are here: Home / Food Guide / Pet Food Evaluation Basics / Pet Food Ingredients / Pet Food Ingredients decoder / Protein

Protein

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Protein is the “star” of pet foods. You’ll most likely choose your pet’s diet based on a particular protein source, or combination of proteins.

Protein is used for many metabolic functions, as well as providing a source of energy. Proteins can come from either animal or plant sources.

Proteins contain a combination of amino acids. It is these amino acids which determine the efficacy of a particular protein for your pet. Some amino acids are considered “essential”. Essential amino acids must be contained in the diet since your pet cannot manufacture them in sufficient quantity.

The quality of a protein source will have a direct bearing on the amino acid profile. Poor quality protein will provide a poor source of amino acids.

Chicken has a different amino acid profile than Lamb. Lamb has a different amino acid profile than Turkey. Beef has a different amino acid profile than Chicken. Your choice of protein will have a different profile than another alternative.

Over time, a full spectrum of amino acids is generally more beneficial for your pet. What may be present in lower quantity from one protein’s amino acid profile will be balanced by another protein’s profile.

This is one compelling reason for dietary rotation.

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Food Guide

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    • Pet Food Ingredients
      • Splitting
      • Pet Food Ingredients decoder
        • By-Products
        • Meat vs. Meal
        • Vitamins
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        • Protein
        • Fat
        • Fiber
        • Water
        • Preservatives
        • Seven Benefits of Sprouted Seeds
    • Digestibility
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    • Pet Food Math 101
    • Food Comparison Checklist
    • 10 Commandments of Choosing Healthy Pet Food
  • Getting Started with Raw Pet Food
  • Are You On Your Own With a Pet Food Recall?
  • Dog Foods at Smiley Dog
  • Cat Foods at Smiley Dog

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