Food allergies and sensitivities are becoming more common in dogs of all breeds, sizes and life stages. Dogs can develop a sensitivity or intolerance to their food, even if they have eaten it many times before. Although your dog can negatively react to any ingredient found in food, sensitivity and intolerance symptoms are most often thought to be caused by the type of protein. To alleviate these problems, food containing “novel” proteins are increasingly recommended, and many dog food manufacturers have jumped on the novel protein bandwagon. But simply turning to any novel-protein food may not provide adequate nutrients to give your dog what it needs to thrive.
What is a novel protein?
Simply stated, a novel protein is any protein that your pet hasn’t eaten yet. The most common proteins found in dog foods are beef and chicken. Dogs can develop food sensitivities after eating these proteins over a long period of time. Since the majority of kibble and canned food contains these proteins, it is no wonder that dogs are diagnosed with food sensitivities or allergies. Food sensitivities in dogs can result in excessive itching and scratching, dry, flaky skin, and gastrointestinal upset. In addition to beef and chicken, lamb - which used to be considered a novel protein, is increasingly used as an alternative to chicken or beef. As a result, pet parents and veterinarians are seeing a rise in symptoms associated with food sensitivities when fed a lamb-protein diet.
A novel protein diet is dog food made from an animal source that is not common in commercial dog meals. Animals now sourced as novel proteins include rabbit, herring, venison, bison, duck, quail, alpaca, kangaroo and alligator. This list is by no means exhaustive! Chicken, beef and lamb can be considered a novel protein for your dog only if you have not fed them. Since novel proteins are a food source your dog’s immune system hasn’t yet recognized, the risk of developing food sensitivities is reduced.
What are the benefits of novel protein diets?
- Improved digestive health – Novel proteins are easier to digest and less likely to cause digestive upset or inflammatory issues.
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Healthy skin and coat – Novel proteins like duck are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid, which are essential for healthy skin and coat.
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Immune system boost – Feeding novel protein sources can strengthen your dog’s immune system by reducing the inflammatory responses linked to common allergies.
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Varied amino acid profile – the essential nutrients and amino acids found in novel
proteins support organ function and overall health.
How to transition to a novel protein diet…
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Choose a novel protein. Determining which novel protein to try can be tricky as pet food companies often use more than one protein type in their formulations. Carefully read the label of your current food and avoid any of the proteins listed. Unfortunately, pet food manufacturers’ mislabeling may not show all proteins used. Independent testing has shown that pet foods labeled as containing one protein source in fact also include small parts of other meat sources not listed on the label. Even the slightest amount of a certain protein can create a cascade of symptoms if your pet has sensitivity to it. Never hesitate to ask where the meat was sourced from and under what conditions it was raised.
- It is best to stay away from protein sources from animals considered carnivores (such as wild hogs and predatory fish.) The probability of developing pathogens from carnivore animals has significantly increased in recent years. Carnivores are higher up on the food chain, making then more apt to have a higher concentration of heavy metals and toxins that cannot be “cooked out.” Fish with the highest concentrations of toxins and heavy
metals include halibut, cod, sea trout, perch, swordfish, shark and King mackerel. This list is by no means exhaustive! Stick with small fish such as anchovies, shrimp, scallop, clam, squid, sardines, crawfish/crayfish, whiting, pollock and wild caught salmon. Research which fish have the highest concentration of mercury toxicity and avoid those. If you are considering amphibians, such as frogs, keep in mind that chemical absorption is higher due to fewer layers of skin. Be sure they are skinned and farm raised.
- It is best to stay away from protein sources from animals considered carnivores (such as wild hogs and predatory fish.) The probability of developing pathogens from carnivore animals has significantly increased in recent years. Carnivores are higher up on the food chain, making then more apt to have a higher concentration of heavy metals and toxins that cannot be “cooked out.” Fish with the highest concentrations of toxins and heavy
- Choose a novel single-protein food that is raw or gently cooked, species appropriate, and nutritionally balanced. Pet food companies have been introducing an array of novel protein dry dog food. Kibble products, even when manufactured with a novel protein, are no better than standard dry dog food. If you choose to make a homemade diet for your pet, be sure that it is nutritionally balanced. A diet lacking in essential nutrients can mimic the symptoms of food intolerances. For example, a diet low in omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E and/or iodine can induce itching.
- Run a food elimination trial. Feed a novel single-protein diet for a period of about 6 weeks. To avoid GI issues, transition slowly. Mix ¼ of your dog’s new food with the old food for two days. Then move to a ½ and ½ mix for a few days, followed by a ¾ to ¼ mix, and finally after about a week, feed 100% of the new novel protein. If your dog has been eating dry kibble for a prolonged time, it may take longer for them to adjust to eating real food. Start with toppers to allow their system to adjust. Adding a high-quality probiotic (without fillers or Animal Digest) can ease the transition.
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Introduce other novel proteins into the diet: Each novel protein diet has a different
nutritional profile, as different proteins contain different amino acids and essential
mineral profiles. Choose at least one other novel protein and run a food trial so that proteins can be rotated over time. This practice will help prevent additional food sensitivities. -
Provide nutritionally balanced meals, especially if home cooking: While not every meal needs to be complete and balanced, diets should be balanced over time. Both raw and gently cooked nutritionally-balanced meals are available commercially. If home cooking, choose a complete and balanced dog food recipe that includes that necessary proportions of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fat.
The best way to identify problematic proteins or other ingredients in your dog’s food is to test for food sensitivities. In addition to proteins, test results can reveal other culprits such as wheat, corn and dairy products. Food intolerance tests check for hundreds of intolerances and imbalances. Some products use hair samples for testing while others use blood samples. These tests provide quick results with accurate nutritional insights.
Novel protein diets are a great way to reduce and/or prevent food intolerances and
sensitivities in your dog. Allergy medications to relieve symptoms (Apoquel, Cytopoint) are not getting to the root of the problem and only increase the risk of long-term damage. Dry dog food made with a novel protein is no better than kibble made with beef and chicken. You cannot solve food intolerances and allergies unless you fix the diet with species- appropriate food.
