Hydrolyzed Protein Dog and Cat Food: Is It Good or Bad?

Hello, I’m Dr. Andrew Jones, and in today’s video, we’re diving into the truth behind hydrolyzed protein dog and cat food. If you’re looking to learn more about natural pet health and wellness, you’ve come to the right place! Make sure to click the link to subscribe to Veterinary Secrets.

First, I want to thank the subscriber who suggested I make a video about hydrolyzed protein dog and cat food. If you have any future video suggestions, I’d love to hear them!

What Is Hydrolyzed Protein Dog and Cat Food?

Let’s talk about Royal Canin’s hydrolyzed protein dog food, one of the most common brands out there. This type of food is typically recommended for pets with underlying allergies or those with digestive issues, particularly conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The premise behind hydrolyzed protein food is that it breaks down the protein into much smaller components, reducing the likelihood of an allergic reaction.

The theory is that by modifying the protein, the immune system won’t react as strongly to it, which can help pets who are sensitive to certain proteins. This sounds great in theory, but there are some issues I want to address.

Problems with Hydrolyzed Protein Food

Many pet parents have reported issues with this food. I’ve personally experienced some of the same complaints. The most common issue is the smell—many dogs and cats refuse to eat it. In fact, Tula (my dog) won’t even go near it. If your pet won’t eat it, it’s not going to help them.

Another concern is digestive problems like vomiting and diarrhea. Because the protein is often modified to the point where it’s a completely different protein, some pets’ digestive systems just don’t agree with it.

Questionable Nutritional Value

When you look at the first five ingredients of hydrolyzed protein dog food, you can understand why I have concerns. These typically include:

1. Rice
2. Hydrolyzed soy protein
3. Chicken fat
4. Natural flavors (whatever those are)
5. Dried beet pulp

Soy protein is often used as a plant-based protein source, but in my opinion, it’s a poor-quality protein. Soy has been linked to issues like hyperthyroidism in cats, and it doesn’t provide the essential amino acids needed for a healthy, thriving dog or cat.

The process used to modify the soy protein is also concerning. It’s treated with hydrochloric acid, which breaks it down, and then filtered to make it more palatable for pets. But despite these modifications, soy protein still lacks the essential nutrients that animals need for long-term health.

Health Concerns Linked to Soy

Soy protein has been linked to several health issues in pets. It has been associated with:

• Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus, or GDV, in dogs)
• Plant estrogens that can interfere with thyroid hormones
• Possible problems for dogs with certain types of bladder stones
• An increase in blood sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes
• Potential links to seizures or epilepsy in dogs

Given these concerns, I believe soy is a problematic ingredient that shouldn’t be included in our pets’ food.

Does Hydrolyzed Protein Food Work?

Another issue with hydrolyzed protein food is that it doesn’t always work as intended. Even with the modified protein, some pets still experience allergy symptoms, such as itching, scratching, vomiting, and diarrhea. The immune system might continue to react to the food inappropriately, which can be frustrating for pet parents.

The Cost of Hydrolyzed Protein Food

One of the biggest concerns for pet owners is the cost. Hydrolyzed protein food is expensive, and for those of you who have a pet on a long-term hydrolyzed protein diet, you can probably attest to the fact that it’s a costly monthly expense.

The Microbiome and Its Role in Health

To give you a bit of background, let’s talk about your pet’s microbiome—the billions of bacteria in their stomach and intestines. These bacteria are critical for your pet’s long-term health. They play a protective role in the intestinal tract, support the immune system, help produce hormones, and even impact the nervous system. This gut-brain connection is crucial for your pet’s well-being, and altering their diet with modified proteins can affect this balance.

The Downside of Modified Proteins

When we modify proteins, such as using hydrolyzed soy protein, we may be disrupting the microbiome, which can lead to anxiety and other issues. In fact, studies have shown that dogs with anxiety often have altered levels of good bacteria in their gut. But modifying proteins like soy does not necessarily solve the allergy problem, and it may negatively impact the microbiome over time.

A Better Approach: Novel Protein Diets

For pets with allergies, I’ve always recommended trying a proper food trial first. For example, if your dog has an allergy to chicken, try feeding them a novel protein, such as turkey or lamb. You can also feed a simple, balanced homemade diet with basic ingredients like:

• 1/3 animal protein (like turkey)
• 1/3 carbohydrate (like sweet potato)
• 1/3 basic veggie
• Added fats (like safflower oil) and omega-3 fatty acids

I understand that not everyone has the time or resources to prepare homemade food, so if you prefer commercial food, I recommend starting with a diet that contains a recognizable animal protein, not hydrolyzed soy protein.

Is Hydrolyzed Protein Food Bad?

So, is hydrolyzed protein food good or bad? In my opinion, it’s pretty bad. It’s low-quality food with several questionable ingredients and potential side effects. However, if nothing else works for your dog or cat and it helps manage allergies, then it may be worth considering. In that case, it’s better than relying on immunosuppressive medications long-term.

Conclusion

Thank you for watching this edition of Veterinary Secrets on hydrolyzed protein pet foods for dogs and cats. If you’d like more information, click the link to subscribe and hit the bell for notifications. And if you click the link in the description box below, I’ll send you a copy of my free book.

Stay healthy and keep your pets happy!