Where do dogs get protein if they don’t eat meat?Updated 6 months ago

Each cup of Petaluma has similar protein to a serving of steak.

Plants create most of the world’s protein, and an entirely plant-based ingredient list can provide more than enough protein to meet a dog’s nutritional needs. Diets designed for adult dogs without health issues should have 20-30% protein as a percentage of dry matter weight (i.e., if the food was fully dehydrated), or ~50-70 grams per 1000 kcal of food energy. For reference, 1000 kcal of chickpeas contains ~53 grams of protein and peanut butter is ~25% protein by dry matter weight.

Adding additional protein beyond a dog’s metabolic requirement is not healthier, as protein cannot be stored for later use. Excess protein is stripped of the amino acids, which are expelled in the urine, and the rest is converted into energy (glycogen) and stored as fat tissue in the same way that energy from carbohydrates and fat is. 

Amino acids are the fundamental ‘building blocks’ of proteins, and a dog’s diet also requires specific, “essential” amino acids that their bodies do not synthesize. Plants also create and provide all the essential amino acids in different ratios. We use a variety of plant-based protein sources in our diets, including legumes (chickpeas & peanuts), whole grains (barley and oats), root vegetables (potato protein), and fungi (dried brewers yeast). These varied sources combine to create a balanced amino acid profile that aligns with dogs’ nutritional needs.