Protein hydrolyzate

What is protein hydrolyzate?

Protein hydrolyzate is a product that is created by artificially breaking down proteins. Proteins are large molecules that consist of many smaller building blocks, the amino acids. Using various processes, such as heat, enzymes or acids, the proteins are broken down into smaller units, the peptides. These peptides are then the protein hydrolyzate.

How is protein hydrolyzate produced?

Protein hydrolyzate can come from various sources, such as meat, fish, milk, eggs or plants. Depending on the source and process, the quality and composition of the protein hydrolyzate can vary. Some manufacturers only use a single protein source, others mix different protein sources or use by-products such as feathers, hooves or beaks.

What are the benefits of protein hydrolyzate?

Protein hydrolyzate has several benefits for the nutrition and health of dogs. On the one hand, it is rich in all the important amino acids that are essential for the body's functions, such as muscle building, the immune system or hormone production. On the other hand, it also contains a variety of other valuable nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements and omega-3 fatty acids.

Another advantage of protein hydrolyzate is that it is easier to digest and tolerate than whole proteins. This is because the peptides are already partially broken down and therefore mean less work for the digestive tract. In addition, the peptides can pass through the intestinal wall more easily and enter the bloodstream more quickly, where they can be utilized by the body.

A particular advantage of protein hydrolyzate is that it can be suitable for dogs with food allergies or intolerances. This is because the peptides are so small that they are no longer recognized as foreign by the immune system and therefore cannot trigger an allergic reaction. However, this only applies to protein hydrolysate that comes from a single protein source that the dog is not yet familiar with or to which it is not sensitized.

What are the disadvantages of protein hydrolyzate?

Protein hydrolysate also has some disadvantages that you should be aware of. For one thing, it can be more expensive than other protein sources as it has a higher degree of processing. Secondly, it can be less palatable than whole proteins as it loses taste and smell through hydrolysis. This can lead to the dog eating the food less readily or even refusing it.

Another disadvantage of protein hydrolyzate is that it is not suitable for all dogs. On the one hand, it can lead to an oversupply of protein if the dog gets too much of it. This can lead to problems with kidney function or metabolism. On the other hand, it can lead to an undersupply of other nutrients if the dog gets too little of it.

For which dogs is protein hydrolyzate suitable?

Protein hydrolyzate is particularly suitable for dogs that suffer from a food allergy or intolerance. This is a hypersensitivity of the immune system or the digestive tract to certain components of the food, which can lead to symptoms such as itching, skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting or flatulence. Protein hydrolyzate can help to alleviate or prevent these symptoms by breaking down the allergy-causing proteins into smaller and harmless peptides.

Protein hydrolysate may also be suitable for dogs suffering from chronic kidney disease. This is a functional disorder of the kidneys that can lead to an accumulation of waste products in the blood. Protein hydrolysate can help reduce the burden on the kidneys by reducing the amount of nitrogen in the urine that comes from protein breakdown.

Finally, protein hydrolysate may also be suitable for dogs suffering from liver disease. This is a dysfunction of the liver that can lead to an accumulation of toxins in the blood. Protein hydrolysate can help reduce the burden on the liver by reducing the amount of ammonia in the blood that comes from protein breakdown.

How to choose the right protein hydrolyzate dog food?

When choosing a protein hydrolysate dog food, there are a few criteria you should consider to find the best food for your dog. Here are some tips to help you:

• Pay attention to the protein source: it is important that you choose a protein source that your dog is not yet familiar with or is not allergic to. This could be beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, egg or soy, for example. Avoid protein sources that your dog has eaten often or that frequently trigger allergies, such as wheat, corn, milk or pork.
• Pay attention to quality: It is important that you choose a high quality protein hydrolysate that comes from a single protein source and contains no by-products or additives. Avoid protein hydrolysates that come from multiple protein sources or that contain feathers, hooves or beaks, as these can be lower quality and more allergenic.
• Pay attention to the quantity: It is important that you choose the right amount of protein hydrolysate for your dog that meets his needs. The amount depends on various factors, such as your dog's age, weight, activity level and health status. You can follow the manufacturer's instructions or ask your vet for advice.
• Pay attention to the shape: It's important that you choose the right form of protein hydrolysate for your dog that suits their preferences. Protein hydrolyzate comes in different forms, such as dry food, wet food or snacks. You can choose according to your dog's taste and consistency or try different forms.