1. a group amino-acid molecules
2. the majority of these molecules cannot be synthezised within the body; NOTE: this implies that some can be synthesized in the body

1. proteins are essential for all growth and maintanence in all parts of the body (on a cellular basis)
2. they play a major role in the construction of muscles, bones and ligaments
3. regulates the metabolism by aiding and regulting the transport of particles (waste and nutrients) within the body
4. plays a role in coordinating the immune system

1. they are split up into the individual amino acids in the gastrointestinal tract
2. they are then absorbed and led to the liver which will further distribute the amino acids to where they are needed
3. if they are needed to "built" new cells or parts of cells they needs to be metabolised back into proteins again; this also means that - if one of the amino acids making up this building block is missing the protein needed cannot be metabolised, this means that deficency symptoms can occur if some amino acid is missing even if there is more than enough of a supply of other amino acids

1. the need of amino acids in relation to body weight is not linear
2. a dog with a weight of 30kg needs approximately 2 grams of digestible (!) protein per kilo of body weight
3. that means: a dog with a weight of 60lbs needs about 1g (gram) per pound of body weight
4. a dog with a weight of 5kg needs approximately 3 grams of digestible protein per kilo of body weight
5. that means: a dog with a weight of 10lbs needs about 1.5 grams per pound of body weight
6. a note of caution: especially large breed puppies are suspectd to develop problems with joints and the entire sceleton if they grow too fast; since the body cannot built cells at the speed it intends to if certain amino acids are missing a low protein intake can slow the growth of large breed dogs and hence is believed to help a healthy development of bones and joints

1. weakening of the immune system
2. under weight
3. fatigue
4. dull coat

1. harms metabolism
2. harms bones and bone development
3. puts added stress on the liver and kidneys
4. overweight (excess protein is converted into fat and stored)
5. urine with an unpleasant smell

1. what is bioavilability? - its a fancy term for how much protein a dogs body can extract from the amount present in the food eaten
2. the average bioavailability of protein from animal sources is 95%
3. the average bioavailability of protein from plant sources is 60% (why the difference? - good question!)

1. plant sources
   • soy
   • nettle
2. animal sources
   • fish
   • chicken
   • cheese
   • turkey
   • all meats and most intestines, though the ones listed above contain especially large amounts
3. miscellaneous
   • algae
   • yeast

NB: the author does not guarantee the accuracy of this information or accept responsibility for harm caused through it

This article may be reproduced freely with proper reference to the author.