Protein

Protein makes up many of the important cells in a dog's body — muscle cells, bone cells, and the cells of the brain and nervous system. A dog can't build new cells without it, which makes it essential for growth, development and repair.

Dietary protein comes mainly from the flesh and muscle of other animals, birds and fish. Dogs break these down into amino acids and rebuild them into the proteins they need. Hair, bone and internal organs also contain protein, though they aren't usually treated as a primary source.

Plants contain protein too, at much lower levels. Vegetables commonly used in a raw diet, such as broccoli, do contribute some.

Chicken and turkey. Lean and healthy. Poultry muscle meat supplies the protein needed to build tissue and helps produce the hormones and enzymes needed for healthy digestion.

Lamb. A good source of protein, and lamb neck bones are excellent for calcium, which matters for bone and teeth.

Beef. Ground beef is a solid protein source, and the heart, liver and other organs add vitamins and minerals alongside it.

Fish. As well as protein, fish brings healthy oils. Tuna, mackerel and salmon are all good sources of omega-3, which supports neurological development.

Less common meats. Rabbit, venison and duck usually cost more than the standard options but are excellent protein sources and useful for variety.

Three reasons, and they compound.

It keeps your dog interested. Dogs get bored of the same meal just as we would. They'll usually keep eating it, but variety in protein makes food more stimulating, and a stimulated dog is a happier one.

Different sources bring different nutrients. Fish supplies omega-3 oils that support the nervous system and keep the coat in good condition. Organ meat such as liver adds a different texture and is an excellent source of vitamin A. Green tripe brings something different again.

It guards against allergies. Dogs can develop food allergies, particularly to the proteins they encounter most often — chicken, turkey and beef. Rotating what you feed reduces the constant exposure that allergies tend to develop from.

Simply the ones beyond the traditional: venison, ostrich, rabbit, kangaroo and mackerel among them.

They can look like an unnecessary luxury, but there are practical reasons to use them. Too much of the same protein — chicken or beef in particular — can lead to allergies developing, so rotating traditional sources with less common ones helps prevent intolerances.

They're also useful for weight management. Ostrich and venison are considerably leaner than conventional meats, with less fat and fewer calories, which is a straightforward way to bring the fat content down for an overweight dog.

And there's the simple matter of interest. Mixing up the options keeps mealtimes mentally stimulating.

Speak to your vet first, so you understand how severe the reaction is and whether medication is needed. Once you know which proteins are causing it, you can plan around them.

A protein allergy happens when the immune system misidentifies a protein as a threat. The response can be sneezing, diarrhoea, itchy skin, itchy paws, hot spots or ear infections — and it's easily mistaken for an environmental allergy, which is why a professional diagnosis matters.

The usual approach is a novel protein: one your dog has never eaten before, so there's been no exposure to react to. If your dog is used to poultry and standard farm animals, try duck, salmon, venison or, depending on availability, something more unusual like ostrich or kangaroo. This applies to vegetables too — potato and pea are worth trying.

This process of elimination is known as a hypoallergenic diet, and it lets your dog get the protein they need while their system settles. Sensitivity typically eases after around three months, at which point clean proteins can slowly be reintroduced.