Are you rotating proteins? Here's why you should!

AMINO ACIDS - GOTTA FEED THEM ALL! 

Rotating proteins is especially important since no single protein source provides all the amino acids a dog requires. By consistently rotating different protein sources, you can help make sure your dog is getting a complete essential amino acid profile.

Amino Acids that are essential in your dogs raw diet include:

• Arginine
• Histidine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine

These must be present in the diet as their body cannot produce them at a sufficient rate to meet your dog's requirements.  

If you are feeding a cat a raw diet, make sure you include a taurine supplementation along with a rotation of proteins. (You do not need to add taurine to fish-based meals like Pure Salmon or Turkey and Salmon Blend).

ROTATING PROTEINS PROVIDES NUTRIENT BALANCE

It's a fallacy to believe that beef and chicken provide the same nutrients for our dogs. It's important to know not all proteins are created equal.

• Beef is an excellent source of vitamin B12, Niacin, vitamin B6, Selenium, Zinc, Phosphorus, and protein. It's also a good source of choline, pantothenic acid, iron, potassium, and vitamin B2.
• Chicken is an excellent source of niacin, protein, and selenium. It is also a good source of protein, selenium, vitamin B6, phosphorus, choline, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B12.
• While the vitamins and nutrients look similar, they're not the same, nor do they contain equal amounts. By rotating a dog's protein source, we're providing a more balanced, nutrient-rich diet for our dogs.

THE ANCESTRAL THEORY

When dogs were in the wild, they would not be eating chicken every day. One day they would hunt a rabbit, the next a squirrel, or maybe as a group, take down a deer. The odds a dog in the wild would catch the same animal multiple days or weeks in a row is nearly impossible.

WHY EATING THE SAME PROTEIN CAN DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD

Eating turkey or duck every day for your entire life is not only dull, it can cause harm, such as build allergies or create health issues. Rotating your dog's protein sources keeps their mealtime exciting and offers many benefits for your dog's health. 

While you can start rotation feeding at any age, it's best to start rotation feeding when your pet is young (4 weeks +), so they get used to the variety, but older pets can also adapt well.

Food Allergies: Food allergies and intolerances in dogs can be due to the same protein's constant exposure. Constantly feeding the same protein often leads to itchy paws/skin and upset stomachs. Over time, your dog's immune system can have an adverse reaction to that protein. By rotating proteins, your dog's immune system strengthens, and you'll reduce the sensitivity to food allergies.

Healthier Digestive System: Rotating the proteins given to your dog can also promote a healthier digestive system! Your dog's GI tract needs good bacteria to help with the digestion process. Only having one diet can limit the different types of beneficial bacteria. By varying their diet with rotational feeding, your pup's digestive tract can become stronger, making it easier for them to break down new proteins—leading to less upset stomachs.

Overall Health: Rotating different proteins for your pet can help with their overall health because each protein provides your dog with various amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein for your dog, and keeping the same diet will restrict your dog from getting a wide variation of these amino acid profiles.

HOW TO ROTATE PROTEINS

You have two options of rotating proteins: 

1) You can change it up daily or weekly - whatever works best for your pet. For example, feed a Gourmet Blend in the morning and a Pure in the evening. 

2) You can mix 2 to 3 proteins per meal for optimal benefits. This is popular in multiple dog households that consume more than 2lbs+ per day.

For help building a meal plan for your pet family, send us a message! We are happy to help!