10 Best High Protein Dog Food Options [2023]

Many dog owners want to provide the best high protein dog food for a lot of reasons. Thanks to the availability of many types of protein-rich dog food are out there to pick from.

However, it’s very crucial to ensure whether your dog is getting the proper amount of protein with their regular diet. Also, you have to remember one thing that all proteins have not made equal when it comes to dog food.

Moreover, you should note the provided nutritional information comes with the container or packet of dog food. So, you should always avoid the unexpected situation while looking for buying high-quality and higher protein dog food for your little friend.

This is why we’re going to share the top 10 best dog foods that have a higher amount of protein. Also, you’ll get a buying guide along with some frequently asked questions (FAQs). You can go directly to products from here:

1. Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food
2. Purina Beyond Wild Grain-Free, Natural High Protein Adult Dog Food
3. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet, Dry Dog Food
4. Miracle Vet High-Calorie Dog Food for Weight Gain
5. Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Reduced Fat Formula Dry Dog Food
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food
7. Solid Gold High Protein Dry Dog Food
8. Crave Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food With Protein
9. Fromm FourStar Dog
10. Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Buying Guide Of Best High Protein Dog Food

You might be thinking about the toughness of choosing the right dog food brands with a substantial amount of protein. But, no worries, we’re going to share some important topics about the buying guide that will make things easier to find out the right information regarding your required dog food.

Overall Protein Content

As it’s mainly for the higher amount of protein for your dog, you have what normal amount of protein comes with dog food. The typical dog food contains protein between 20 to 30 percent.

So, when you look for high protein combination, you should find out the food with more than 30% of protein. This is why most of the dog foods we have enlisted come with more than 37% protein. So, you’re all set with any one of the above-said ones.

Look For Animal Proteins

The matter is crucial for all those who like to feed protein as dog food. So, look at the list of ingredients and find the primary source of protein from an animal. It’s because animal proteins are good and easy to digest for your dog.

Also, they come with the highest advantages with less waste. If you check the gradients list, you’ll find animal proteins have written clearly. Don’t forget that if it refers just ‘meat’ then it’s not guaranteed you’ll get animal proteins. High animal protein means meat and these foods can be palatable to picky eaters.

Balanced Diet

Like other animals or living beings including humans, dogs need a balanced diet for a happy and healthy life. That means they also need 3 micronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fats.

The best thing you can do is that check up your dog by a vet to know its needs. They’ll help you to find a properly balanced diet for your dog.

10 Best High Protein Dog Food Reviews

1.Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food

Victor classic is a popular dog food brand that manufactures the best high-protein dog food. And one of their recipe that has been flying off the shelves is this Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food.

88% of proteins in this recipe are from meat sources, ensuring your dog’s cravings are satisfied to the fullest making it one of the best dog food on the list.

This recipe has no fillers or meat by-products. Instead, this formula has healthy and nutritious ingredients suitable for growing puppies, pregnant, or nursing dogs.

Besides being high in protein, this recipe comprises other vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that will support your dog’s health.

What glows in this recipe is the exclusive V- Pro blend that ensures your dog has a functioning immune system and improved digestion.

Moreover, the ocean fish meal in this multi-meat formula provides DHA, supporting your dog’s cognitive function.

The grains included here are gluten-free and more easily digestible. However, if your dog is sensitive to grains, this recipe may not be the best option.

Artificial flavors and preservatives are locked out in this high-protein dog food for Pitbulls, Yorkies. Siberian huskies or the Great Dane

All that is here is a natural beef flavor that will make your dog droll anytime you pick his food bowl.

Dog parents who have started their dogs on this food say their furry friends now have regular bowel movements, unlike before.

However, some pet parents still say their dog developed diarrhea after consuming this recipe.

Pros

• Made in the USA
• Perfect for growing puppies, lactating mothers, or pregnant dogs
• Fortified with essential amino acids
• With omega fatty acids
• With high protein content sourced from pork meal, chicken meal, and beef meal

Cons

• Pricy
• Not great for dogs sensitive to grains

 

2. Purina Beyond Wild Grain-Free, Natural High Protein Adult Dog Food

This recipe from Purina Beyond is a high-protein dog food that your dog will enjoy devouring.  Turkey, turkey broth, and chicken are the first three ingredients here. These ingredients nourish and satisfy your dog’s cravings.

This high-protein wet dog is enriched with minerals and vitamins to help your dog live its best life.

Moreover, artificial preservatives and flavors are all locked out. Instead, your dog consumes healthy natural ingredients gentle on its stomach.

This high-protein wet dog food has no corn, wheat, or millet, all notorious for causing allergies in some dogs.

Furthermore, this high-protein dog food is enriched with probiotics to support your dog’s digestive system. After consuming this diet, your dog will have consistent bowel movements and well-formed stool.

You can either serve this high-protein dog food to your dog as a complete meal. Alternatively, you can mix it with your pet’s kibble for that mouthwatering taste.

Overall, pet parents’ feedback on amazon is impressive. Most dog parents say this dog has been easy on their dog’s stomach.

Pros

• Made with nutrients rich organ meats
• Fortified with mineral and vitamins
• A grain-free recipe
• Added probiotics for gut healthy

Cons

• Complains of inconsistency in the weight of the content

 

3. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet, Dry Dog Food

Your dog with a sensitive stomach still needs the best high-protein dog food to keep him healthy and active. And one recipe that is gentle on your dog’s tummy while providing high protein content is this one from ACANA.

So is this food worth giving your dog? Let’s have a look

As a limited ingredient dog food, this recipe has one protein source, i.e., beef, to keep those muscles on your dog lean and healthy.

Besides being a high protein dog food, this recipe features minerals and vitamins that support your dog’s health.

The savory flavor here is one your picky dog will find irresistible. After consuming this recipe, your dog will now have lean muscles, a healthy immune system, and a glowing coat.

Most importantly, the ingredients here are from trusted sources, ensuring that what gets in your dog’s bowl is healthy and free from antibiotics or herbicides.

This high-protein dog food has no artificial flavors or preservatives that trigger food allergies in your dog.

Overall, dog parents like the quality of this dog food. The only highlight is that this high-protein dog food for weight gain is quite pricy. However, if you love your dog, we know this won’t be a deterrent.

Pros

• Dog food made in the USA
• No artificial flavors or preservatives
• An all life stage recipe
• Enriched with superfoods like sweet potato, fresh fruits, and vegetables

Cons

• The bag here is non -sealable– thus, you may need to buy a dog food container to store this recipe
• Costly

 

4. Miracle Vet High-Calorie Dog Food for Weight Gain

What do you give your dog who seems not to add weight? Well, there may be plenty of answers to this question. However, most animal nutritionists and other experts advocate for such dogs to consume high-calorie dog food. And one such type of recipe is this Miracle Vet High-Calorie Dog Food for Weight Gain.

So is this recipe worth a try? Let’s dive in and have a look.

Unlike most recipes, this high-protein dog food for weight gain has high-calorie content per cup. Each cup of this kibble provides 600 calories. With that, your dog will consume a few cups before you start observing some changes.

This recipe contains chicken meal, chicken fat, all-natural protein sources that will see your dog gain more muscle mass.

Your dog will also reap lots of benefits from trace minerals like zinc amino acid chelate, calcium iodate, iron amino chelate, and many more.

The whitefish meal in this high protein puppy food provides omega fatty acids needed for your dog’s skin and coat health.

Moreover, all the ingredients here are 100 % natural, ensuring your dog consumes a healthy recipe.

Pros

• An all life stages formula
• Has high-calorie content than ordinary dog food
• Made in the USA
• No filler ingredients
• A vet recommended diet

Cons

• Most dog parents complain that the pellets in this recipe are tiny

 

5. Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Reduced Fat Formula Dry Dog Food

Are you hunting for pocket-friendly low-fat, high-protein dog food? Then you should get this Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Reduced Fat Formula Dry Dog Food.

This high protein, low-fat dog food has both animal and plant protein sources that ensure your dog has a lean body.

Besides that, this recipe features chelated minerals maximizing their utilization. Moreover, these minerals support your fur kid’s immune system.

Moreover, this grain-free recipe features no corn, wheat, or soy that can be harsh on your dog’s tummy. All that is in this high-protein dog food is digestible ingredients that your Fido will love to eat.

The included prebiotics in this recipe will boost the overall tummy health of your dog. After consuming this recipe, bouts of diarrhea or constipation will be far much gone.

The Omega fatty acids in this recipe contain DHA, important for your dog’s brain development. Furthermore, these fatty acids keep that coat shiny.

Overall, this recipe seems to settle well for dogs suffering from pancreatitis. Other dog owners like this dog food as it helps with weight loss—probably because of L-carnitine and low-fat content.

Pros

• Made in the USA
• With DHA to support brain development
• Enhanced with probiotics for tummy health
• A grain-free recipe

Cons

• Dogs allergic to chicken may get a diarrhea

 

6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food

Designed for providing high protein for adult dogs, this dog food is one of the most popular dog foods. The dog food comes from the famous and popular production house of the Blue Buffalo.

The manufacturer has made with its best to give your dog the high protein that their ancestors have enjoyed. With a grain-free formula, the food was created with a great combination of meat meals and whole meats.

No matter what the reasons are you’re looking for high protein dog food, the Blue Buffalo is the right choice to meet your needs. This well-preferred dog food features a large variety of ingredients.

Among them deboned salmon is one that provides essential and higher amounts of protein with omega-3 enriched fatty acids. Also, the food has some other ingredients like menhaden fish meal and chicken meals that provide more protein.

As you already know the recipe is free of grain, it has been made using no wheat or corn. Instead, your dog will get some other type of carbohydrate since it comes with peas starch along with sweet potatoes.

Apart from these, it’ll provide essential antioxidants as it has carrots, cranberries, blueberries, and parsley.

This USA-made dog food comes with all-natural things. It doesn’t have any added colors, flavors, or additives. This pet food is not just full of protein; it also comes with vital vitamins as well s minerals.

Pros

• All-natural ingredients
• Full of essential protein
• Deboned salmon dog food
• Dogs love it much

Cons

• Very expensive

 

7. Solid Gold High Protein Dry Dog Food

As its name suggests, this dog food is solid gold with a pack of a higher amount of protein. This dry food for dogs is a holistic type of dog food that has designed to replicate the enhanced diet of your wild canids.

The food does not just come with some different types of protein sources.

It also features without potatoes, grains, and other carbs. As a result, you can keep your dog from different types of health issues.

Also, the food is so solid to offer your dog if you’re looking for a higher amount and higher quality of proteins.

The list of the ingredients goes bigger along with a chicken meal, turkey meal, and duck. Among other great things about the ingredients, it comes with egg protein and whitefish meal. This is why it has elevated the levels of protein higher in dog food.

Your dog will get essential carbohydrates from chickpeas and peas along with a large number of vegetables and fruits. These include pumpkin, carrots, apples, broccoli, and blueberries.

So, you’ll be able to provide your dogs with a substantial amount of protein along with vital vitamins plus minerals that are very essential for your dog’s good health.

The food also has featured with healthy fats like almond oil and sesame oil. Moreover, it comes with three probiotics that help you to keep the digestive system of the dog smooth.

Pros

• The higher amount of protein
• Dogs love their taste
• Most owners are happy
• Improve digestive system

Cons

• A bit pricey

 

8. Crave Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food With Protein

This is another great and high protein dog food that comes with packed nutrition. The food is not just nutritious, it also delicious and designed to make your dog irresistible to have it.

This dog food provides almost all essential nutrients because it has made with different animal protein plus healthy fats.

In the recipe of the food, the original salmon is one of the first ingredients. Moreover, it has chicken meal, lamb meal, and meal of menhaden fish. As a result, the amount of protein gets higher to highest in the food when you look for an unlimited number of proteins.

This food doesn’t consist of grains. It comes with chickpeas, dried potatoes, ad split peas that provide the content of carbohydrate. You’ll find natural sunflower oil that helps your dog to get some more calories and it also promotes a shiny and healthy coat.

At the same time, it uses natural colors and flavors while they improve the taste. These ingredients also provide vital vitamins plus minerals. Because of these, your dog gets enough nutrition that it needs to maintain better health.

But, you should be careful before you choose this food for your dog if it’s sensitive with dried beet pulp, pea protein, and dehydrated alfalfa meal. It’s because the Crave comes with these ingredients along with others.

It’s true that these things are not dangerous for your dogs. But, they’re comparatively lower value stuff that doesn’t add more essential nutrients.

Pros

• Free of grains
• Higher in protein
• Affordable in price
• All vital nutrients

Cons

• Lack of things like probiotics

 

9. Fromm FourStar Dog

If you’re looking for a premium quality dog food that provides different types of nutrition then the Fromm can be your perfect choice.

Made with no grains and packed with a higher amount of protein, this dog food has been designed in a way that will provide enough nutrients that it needs.

Because of its beef-based high-quality dog food, it’s extremely amazing on the list of the ingredients. Its real beef protein is the first thing to consider this food along with some other essential ingredients. These include pork meat, beef liver, and whole eggs.

They provide your dog with important supplemental proteins with delicious treats. The food also offers the highest carbohydrate from its sweet potatoes and potatoes instead of wheat or corn because it’s free of grain.

It has featured with salmon oil that provides sufficient and healthy fats along with omega-3 fatty acids. Also, the recipe enhances the deliciousness. Moreover, this dog food has cheese to make sure the dog prefers the flavor like all other recipes of dog foods.

Thanks to the apples, cauliflower, blueberries, carrots, green bean, and some other veggies and fruits, they provide useful vitamins plus minerals along with antioxidants.

Apart from these huge supplies, this dog food comes with probiotics that help the proper digestion. Although it doesn’t have any harmful ingredients, it has featured things such as tomato pomace and pea protein like some other dog food of the list.

Pros

• Tasty dog food
• Made with higher protein
• All-natural ingredients
• Real beef protein

Cons

• Very expensive

 

10. Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Coming with protein-packed, Wellness Core is the last dog food in the list to review. It has got a position on this list because of some good reasons.

The first and foremost one is its natural ingredients and has made without corn, fillers, wheat or any other by-products.

The food has designed at the way that it can provide essential protein and other nutrients to keep your dog happy, active, and healthy. Indeed, this is the best choice for you if you’re looking for dog food with a higher amount of protein.

This high-protein dog food has formulated with an amazing combination of ingredients. While choosing this food for your dog, you’ll get deboned turkey and a substantial amount of protein. You’ll find the entire list of the ingredients and other specifications about the food.

Apart from the high-protein profile, it has made with a chicken meal plus chicken liver, chicken fat, salmon oil, and many more things. These all are protein supplements to provide a substantial amount of protein that you’re looking for your dog.

When it comes to the supply of the essential carbohydrate, it ensures from potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes. The food had included a large portion of vegetables and fruits that supply different vital things for your dogs like antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

It’s because it includes the whole thing from apple to broccoli and blueberries. This US-made high-protein dog food comes with up to 37.7% of dry protein without any hazardous ingredients.

Pros

• The high amount of dry protein
• All-natural ingredients
• Vital Nutrients
• Free of hazardous ingredients

Cons

• A bit higher price

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Too Much Protein In My Dog Food Make Diarrhea?

Most dogs can digest meals with high protein without getting any issue in their stomachs. But, if you want to change its diet, you should consult an expert vet to identify how much it can handle easily.

It’s because changing your dog diet might be a cause of diarrhea. Even in some cases, intolerance and food allergies could be some other issue because of the higher amount of protein.

What Dog Food Is Highest In Protein?

Any dog food with a protein concentration above 30 % can be regarded as high protein dog food. Veterinaries and animal nutritionists recommend that pregnant and lactating dogs consume high-protein dog food.

High protein diets will promote overall growth and provide the necessary calories needed by the dog. However, what do we mean when we a recipe has high protein content? And which dog food is high in proteins.

To answer that, we can refer to the nutrient dog food profile established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. (AAFCO)

According to this association, puppies and lactating dogs require dog food with a minimum of 22.5% of proteins—whereas adult dog food should contain at least 18 % of proteins on a dry matter basis.

When following this nutrient profile, animal nutritionists and other experts affirm that any dog food with a protein concentration above 30 % can be regarded as high protein dog food.

You will often find, most brands will use plant and animal protein sources to achieve a high protein dog food.

Examples of plant protein sources that you can look at in your dog’s recipe are peas, beans, and other legumes.

As obligate carnivores, dogs can consume plant proteins. The only drawback with plant proteins is that they are hard to digest and provide fewer amino acids.

Brands that don’t incorporate plant proteins will instead use animal protein sources. Examples include chicken, turkey meal, beef meal, pork meal, bison, rabbit, and meat by-products.

Meat by-products? Yes, meat by-products may not be appealing to you, but they contain certain nutrients needed by your dog. Also, these meat by-products add that savory flavor to entice your picky eater.

Is High Protein Dog Food Good For Dogs?

Proteins are crucial nutrients needed by your dog. Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, help in the growth and maintenance of your dog’s muscles.

Like we humans, dogs’ nutrient needs may vary from one individual to the other.

Some dog breeds may not do well on a high protein diet, whereas it’s not true for some.

So which dogs will benefit from high-protein dog food?

• Puppies – puppies will require high protein to support their growth
• Active dogs- active dogs will run and jump, taking a toll on their muscle health. Thus such dogs require high protein dog food for the repair and maintenance of their muscles.
• Senior dogs – proteins will help senior dogs remain at an ideal weight. Also, the amino acids present to maintain and promote the recovery of muscles in senior dogs.

In such a scenario, dog food with very high protein content may not be bad at all. It will only become disastrous if your dog consumes high protein diets from unhealthy ingredients.

Besides giving your dog a recipe with high protein content, remember to keep a balance by including other essential nutrients. This way, your dog will be nourished with no deficit in his daily nutritional requirements.

What Happens When A Dog Has Too Much Proteins?

Most dog owners assume that dogs are carnivores. Thus they tend to pump them with high protein sourced from animals and plants.

However, they are wrong. As earlier alluded, a dog should not be sustained on only one nutrient as it may be malnourished.

High-protein dog food may benefit some dogs; however, it may not be the same for others.

Like any other nutrient, too much protein can have detrimental effects on your dog’s body. One is that proteins can make your dog add more weight.

If your dog consumes too many proteins, without exercising he may end up obese. The reason is that proteins have high caloric content, which is stored in fat if not utilized. And as you know, obese dogs are more predisposed to health issues like diabetes, arthritis. And overall poor quality of life.

Proteins and kidney issues. Although still under research, high-protein dog food is not recommendable as it can cause kidney disease.

This assumption arises because veterinaries prescribe a low protein diet to dogs with kidney issues.

What’s recommended _ even though dogs like eating meat protein, you should concentrate on the quality rather than the quantity.

High levels of poor quality protein sources are not only less nutritious but also taxing to metabolize.

Endeavor to look for a recipe with quality proteins that will be easy to digest, providing the necessary nutrients per your dog’s requirements.

How Much Protein Do Dogs Need A Day?

As emphasized in this article, proteins are essential nutrients in your dog’s diet. Proteins have a role in building and repairing your dog’s muscles. Moreover, proteins provide energy to fuel your dog.

So, how much protein does your dog need?

Well, the quantity of proteins your dog needs can vary— this will depend on your dog’s age, health status, and activity levels.

For example, puppies require a high protein content to sustain their growth. It’s recommended each diet in your pup’s food contain 22-28 % of proteins

This also applies to nursing and lactating dogs. They need a high concentration ranging from 25%-30% for their growing puppies.

Lastly, adults will need a 10-18 % of protein intake daily to support them.

Quality is crucial. Dogs can have sensitive tummies. Even high-protein dog food should have quality digestible ingredients ensuring your dog’s digestive system doesn’t strain.

Can Too Much Protein Make My Dog Itch?

 Does your dog scratch and bite every part of his body after consuming that chicken recipe you’ve been purchasing? Then your dog could be having a food or protein allergy.

Just like we humans, dogs can suffer from allergies.  And such food allergies happen when the immune system responds unusually to the protein molecule.

A dog with food allergies will start itching, sneezing, or have watery eyes.

Why does your dog itch after consuming much protein?  As earlier suggested, itchiness is a response triggered by the immune system. This occurs when the dog’s immune system misidentifies the protein in this recipe and starts attacking it.

Afterward, the cells in your dog’s body release histamines, which causes severe itchiness.

How do you test which protein is causing this itchiness? They are many tests that can be used to test for food allergies in dogs. These are blood tests, patch tests, and dietary elimination.

The latter is often the most accurate. This test involves eliminating a certain diet from your dog and introducing a new one with a single protein source.

Afterward, your dog is exposed to the initial diet to confirm whether the protein source in this recipe was the culprit causing excessive itchiness.

After confirming that such a dog can consume a high-protein dog food with novel proteins, these are proteins your dog has never consumed. Examples of such novel animal proteins include ostrich, kangaroo, venison, and alligator.

Which Dry Dog Food Has Highest Meat Content?

The Solid Gold High Protein Dry Dog Food has the highest meat content. This formula’s first three ingredients are duck, chicken meal, and turkey meal, great sources of proteins.

These animal proteins, plus peas and chicken peas, provide high proteins content (38% min) to maintain your dog’s muscles.

Besides that, this recipe has omegas to give shine to the coat. The prebiotics in this high-protein dog food keeps the digestive system healthy.

Another dry dog food with high meat content is this Wellness CORE Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Key ingredients are turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal.

This recipe overflows with various fruits and vegetables that provide key nutrients to keep your dog lively and healthy.

Glucosamine here keeps your dog’s joints healthy. Moreover, this grain-free high proteins dog food features omega fatty acids that enhance the shine on your dog coat

Another honorable mention is the Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food, with 85 % of proteins sourced from meat.

This high-protein dog has plenty of grains, minerals, and antioxidants that will nourish your dog.

What Amount Of Protein My Dog Need?

The typical dog food should contain 20 to 30 percent of protein. But, you should find out the food with more than 30% of protein when you look for high protein combination.

Is This Dog Food Safe For Other Dog Breeds?

While choosing dog food, you strongly should consider the right balanced diet, especially if it’s a puppy. If the diet contains high protein, it can make your dog weighty. Obesity can lead to various health issues like human beings.

Are These Foods Recommended For My Dog If It Has Allergic Issue?

If your dog has known allergic issues with protein or any other ingredients, you must consult with a vet for the best solution.

Conclusion

Usually, dogs are fond of eating protein. But, they need some other essential nutrients as well such as fat, carbohydrates, and antioxidants. However, if you’re looking for the best high protein dog food, you can choose anyone from the above-said review list.

Also, you can take a look at the buying guide to know a bit more about the things to consider for your dog in terms of high protein. Hopefully, you’ll get the best solution for your issue that you’re in search of.