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Protein is essential for dogs of all breeds and ages. It supplies the building blocks for healthy muscles, skin, nails, and fur. Protein also plays an integral role in many essential bodily processes, including healthy weight maintenance.
While all dogs require protein in their diets, high-protein intake may exacerbate certain health problems. For example, if your dog is diagnosed with liver or kidney disease, your veterinarian may recommend low-protein dog food.
Low-protein dog food should only be fed at the direction of a veterinarian. If your dog fits the bill, we’re here to help you sort through the various options available. We’ve assembled a list of nutritionally complete low-protein recipes in multiple categories to help you choose the best dog food according to your dog’s unique needs and preferences.
Not sure where to start? Jump to the end to learn more about low-protein dog food and what types of dogs it may be suitable for.
Best Wet: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Sweet Potato & Salmon Wet Dog Food
Formulated with a fish broth base, this moisture-rich canned dog food contains about 29 calories per ounce and 22.7% protein measured as dry matter. (The key nutrients for all the food on our list have been calculated in dry matter to better compare the different types.) Redfish, salmon, and whitefish appear to be the primary protein sources, though the recipe also includes some potato protein.
To help keep the protein content of this recipe down, the formula has a significant amount of carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and potatoes. While white potatoes offer limited nutritional value for dogs, sweet potatoes are a low-glycemic root vegetable rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Compared to some of Natural Balance’s other limited-ingredient canned dog foods, this recipe is lower in both protein and calories. It contains 2.3% less dry matter protein but about 2% more dry matter fat than the Chicken & Sweet Potato recipe. Both recipes are similarly priced around $0.29 per ounce when you buy a 24-pack of 13-ounce cans.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,003 kcal/kg
- Protein: 22.7%
- Fat: 18.2%
- Fiber: 6.8%
- Moisture: 78%
Best Prescription Wet: Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Beef & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food
When traditional wet dog food isn’t quite low enough in protein, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet. This kidney care formula from Hill’s Prescription Diet contains just 15.9% protein. Compared to Hill’s Science Diet Savory Stew with Beef & Vegetables non-prescription wet food, it’s nearly 50% lower in protein.
This canned dog food features animal protein from beef, pork liver, and egg whites. Chicken fat and fish oil offer digestible sources of animal-derived fat, totaling 23.8%. The food also contains about 28 calories per ounce.
While this prescription formula is much lower in protein than the average wet dog food, it does contain a few less-than-ideal ingredients, like soybean oil, caramel color, and added sugar to improve palatability—a win for picky eaters, but a potential liability for the most sensitive stomachs.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,007 kcal/kg
- Protein: 15.9%
- Fat: 23.8%
- Fiber: 3.5%
- Moisture: 83%
Best Dry: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Lamb & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
Lamb muscle meat and chicken meal comprise most of this dry dog food’s 24.4% protein content. The recipe also contains whole grains, peas, and fish meal, which provide supplemental protein. It does not, however, contain plant protein concentrates, which offer less biological availability than animal proteins.
This Lamb & Brown Rice is similar in nutritional makeup to Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula Fish & Brown Rice recipe. Both formulas contain about 2% less dry matter protein than the beef or chicken recipes from the same product line.
Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection dry foods are enriched with antioxidants for immune system support and glucosamine for joint health. These recipes are fairly high in fiber, which may benefit some dogs with digestive issues.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,611 kcal/kg
- Protein: 24.4%
- Fat: 15.6%
- Fiber: 5.5%
- Moisture: 10%
Best Prescription Dry Food: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support
If you have a dog who prefers the crunch of kibble but requires a very low-protein diet, you may want to consider this veterinary diet from Blue Buffalo. It’s formulated for kidney support and contains 15.6% protein.
Unlike many prescription dry foods, this recipe doesn’t rely heavily on refined grains like corn and soy. Instead, brown rice and oatmeal are the food’s primary source of carbohydrates. There are a few starchy ingredients and some concentrated plant protein, but the formula is more biologically appropriate for dogs than many prescription diets.
One thing to keep in mind about this food is its high fiber content, which is nearly 8% dry matter. Some dogs experience tummy troubles with high-fiber dog food, and this recipe does contain prebiotics and probiotics to help improve digestibility.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,925 kcal/kg
- Protein: 15.6%
- Fat: 20%
- Fiber: 7.8%
- Moisture: 10%
Best Dehydrated: The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe
Made with beef muscle meat, organic whole grains, and an assortment of fruits and vegetables, this dehydrated food from The Honest Kitchen is a highly digestible choice. With 24.9% dry matter protein, it’s a higher protein option than some products on this list, but it’s a much lower protein option than freeze-dried raw dog food. By comparison, the brand’s whole-grain fish recipe contains about 5.7% more protein.
This turkey recipe is a grain-inclusive dog food, which some pet parents prefer over legume-heavy, grain-free alternatives. Whole grains are generally easily digestible for dogs and supply supplemental protein, essential nutrients, energy-rich carbohydrates, and dietary fiber.
While you can store dehydrated food at room temperature, you should rehydrate the meals before feeding. Soak the food in warm water or bone broth to create a soft, moisture-rich food that supports your dog’s hydration.
Key Nutrients:
- 4,496 kcal/kg
- Protein: 24.9%
- Fat: 9.4%
- Fiber: 6.4%
- Moisture: 9.5%
Best for Small Breeds: Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini Breed Chicken Recipe
Formulated with small breeds in mind, this Hill’s Science Diet formula contains ingredients for stomach, skin, and coat support. A rich blend of vitamin E and omega fatty acids helps keep your pup’s skin and fur healthy, while prebiotic fiber promotes a balanced gut microbiome.
This dry dog food relies primarily on animal-sourced protein and fat. Chicken muscle meat makes up most of the 23.3% protein, supplemented with chicken meal and egg, though some likely comes from the yellow peas and whole grains.
Compared to the standard adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin recipe from Hill’s Science Diet, this mini-breed formula contains about 1% more dry matter protein. However, the standard adult recipe may also work as a low-protein choice for small breeds, as it comes in small kibble bites.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,727 kcal/kg
- Protein: 23.3%
- Fat: 13.3%
- Fiber: 4.4%
- Moisture: 10%
Best for Large Breeds: Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Even for dogs requiring a low-protein diet, amino acids are necessary to help large-breed dogs maintain lean muscle mass. This Nutro Natural Choice large-breed dog food contains 22.2% protein and just 13.3% fat.
Compared to Nutro’s standard adult Chicken & Brown Rice recipe, this large-breed formula has lower dry matter protein and fat values by about 2%. It’s also lower in dry matter protein than Nutro’s adult Small Breed recipe by about 4.4%.
This dry dog food features chicken muscle meat as the primary ingredient. In addition to several whole grains, chicken meal provides supplemental protein—it’s also rich in joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin. The recipe also relies on animal-sourced fat, which helps improve its digestibility.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,617 kcal/kg
- Protein: 22.2%
- Fat: 13.3%
- Fiber: 3.9%
- Moisture: 10%
Best for Seniors: Nature’s Recipe Mature Lamb & Rice Recipe
Senior dog foods are typically formulated with fewer calories than standard formulas to help prevent obesity as older dogs become less active. For reference, this mature Nature’s Recipe dry food is around 100 calories per ounce and 3% lower in calories than the brand’s Lamb & Rice Puppy recipe.
Featuring lamb muscle meat and chicken meal as the main ingredients, this dry dog food contains 24.4% protein and relies primarily on animal-sourced fat from poultry. Turkey meal provides supplemental animal protein, while various grains add plant-based protein. Given its meat-and-grains composition, this senior recipe should be highly digestible for dogs. At 5.6%, it’s pretty high in fiber, which may help with weight maintenance.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,500 kcal/kg
- Protein: 24.4%
- Fat: 11.1%
- Fiber: 5.6%
- Moisture: 10%
Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Addiction Herbed Lamb & Potatoes Raw Dehydrated Dog Food
Dogs with sensitive stomachs require an easily digestible diet. Made with a single source of protein (lamb) and an assortment of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, this dehydrated dog food from Addiction may be a good fit if your pup has tummy troubles. Measured as dry matter, it contains 25% protein.
Because it has a single protein novel to many dogs, this Addiction formula may also be appropriate for dogs with food allergies. Addiction also offers dehydrated single-protein recipes made with chicken, venison, kangaroo, brushtail, and beef. All six recipes are similar in nutritional composition.
This dehydrated dog food is best when soaked in water before feeding it to your dog. When rehydrated, it has a soft, easy-to-chew texture; the added moisture may also improve digestibility.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,500 kcal/kg
- Protein: 25%
- Fat: 13.6%
- Fiber: 6.8%
- Moisture: 12%
Best for Picky Eaters: Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Lamb, Brown Rice & Pearled Barley Whole Grain Dog Food
If your dog suddenly turns up their nose at their usual food, switching to a new flavor might help entice them to eat. This Solid Gold dry food features lamb as the primary ingredient and contains flavor-rich ocean fish meal, chicken fat, and salmon oil.
This formula contains 24.4% protein and 11.1% fat. It’s a whole-grain recipe but also contains chickpeas and peas. With its moderate fat content and lower-than-average calorie density—about 97 calories per ounce—this formula may be ideal for dogs who need to lose weight.
Compared to Solid Gold’s Barking at the Moon High-Protein dry food, the Hund-n-Flocken recipe contains 21.1% less dry matter protein. It’s also about 5.6% lower in protein than the Wild Heart grain-free recipe.
Key Nutrients:
- 3,410 kcal/kg
- Protein: 24.4%
- Fat: 11.1%
- Fiber: 4.4%
- Moisture: 10%
Best Low-Phosphorus: SquarePet VFS Low-Phosphorus Formula Dry Dog Food
Your veterinarian may recommend a low-phosphorus diet with restricted protein levels if your dog has kidney disease. Recipes formulated for kidney support often require a prescription, but this SquarePet recipe doesn’t. It’s a veterinarian-formulated dry dog food that contains less protein, phosphorus, and sodium than the average commercial dry dog food. Keep in mind, however, that it’s not nutritionally complete for long-term feeding—it’s recommended for intermittent feeding only.
Though it only contains 15.6% protein, it’s still a largely animal-based recipe. Whole eggs and turkey provide animal-sourced protein, and the food relies on animal-sourced fat from turkey fat and salmon oil. That said, brown rice is the first ingredient, likely contributing to the protein content as well.
Given its focus on animal-derived protein and fat, this recipe is highly digestible for dogs. It also has a short list of ingredients and is free from peas and legumes, limiting the potential for sensitivity. Probiotic supplements help improve its digestibility as well.
Key Nutrients:
- 4,400 kcal/kg
- Protein: 15.6%
- Fat: 16.7%
- Fiber: 2.8%
- Moisture: 10%
Best for Liver Disease: JustFoodForDogs Veterinary Diet Pantry Fresh Hepatic Support
Should you prefer a veterinarian-prescribed diet for your dog, this hepatic support formula from JustFoodForDogs may be a good option for dogs with liver disease. It’s a shelf-stable wet dog food, though it also comes as frozen fresh food. This recipe contains 14% protein and provides about 31 calories per ounce.
Featuring a digestible blend of animal-sourced protein and fat with wholesome vegetables, this fresh dog food may work well for dogs with sensitive stomachs. JustFoodForDogs also uses human-grade ingredients, and the brand’s Tetra Pak packaging keeps the product fresh at room temperature (unopened) for up to two years.
For dogs with kidney disease who require a low-protein diet, JustFoodForDogs also offers renal support recipes. The Renal Support Low-Protein frozen recipe contains 13.3% protein.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,093 kcal/kg
- Protein: 14%
- Fat: 6%
- Fiber: 6%
- Moisture: 75%
What Is Low-Protein Dog Food?
According to Leslie Brooks, DVM and veterinary advisor at betterpet, normal dog food usually has at least 25% dietary protein on a dry matter basis. Therefore, low-protein dog food is basically dog food with lower protein content than standard adult dog food.
How much lower? “Usually less than 20% dietary protein on a dry matter (DM) basis,” says Brooks.
When evaluating the protein content of dog food, it’s important to know the difference between the “as fed” value you see listed on the guaranteed analysis and the dry matter basis mentioned by Brooks. If you want to directly compare two different products, the most accurate way to do it is to use the dry matter protein content (as we’ve done in our list above).
The guaranteed analysis on a dog food label lists the values for crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber on an “as fed” basis, which includes the moisture in the food. To determine the dry matter value for these nutrients, you have to remove the moisture—the simplest way to do this is to use a dry matter calculator, like this one from PawDiet.
Which dogs benefit from low-protein diets?
A low-protein diet isn’t for every dog; in fact, it’s not for most dogs. “Normal, healthy adult dogs do not need to be fed a low-protein dog food,” says Brooks. “There are certain medical conditions, however, that need to be addressed with a low-protein diet.”
So, what medical conditions would warrant a low-protein diet?
“Dogs with chronic kidney disease and liver disease will benefit the most from a low-protein diet,” says Brooks. “Additionally, there are some bladder stones that can form, usually secondary to dogs with underlying liver disease. Dogs that develop these bladder stones, called purine urolithiasis, whether or not they have underlying liver dysfunction, can benefit from a low-protein diet to help the stones dissolve and prevent them from recurring.”
Different medical conditions also require different levels of protein in dog food. “Dogs with chronic kidney disease usually need to be fed foods with 14-20 percent DM dietary protein,” points out Brooks. “Dogs with liver disease should be fed foods with 15-20 percent DM dietary protein. If they are suffering from hepatic encephalopathy (neurologic toxicity from the inability of the liver to metabolize and break down proteins), then they should be fed even lower protein foods with 10-15 percent DM dietary protein.”
What should pet parents look for in low-protein dog food?
If your dog has a chronic medical condition, it’s important to talk to your vet before introducing any new food into their diet. Oftentimes, a prescription dog food is recommended to effectively treat their condition and support their overall health. “Prescription veterinary diets intended for the health condition for which the low-protein food is needed are the best options available,” says Brooks.
But if your vet gives you the green light to shop for dog food that’s low in protein on your own, it’s important to know what to look for on the label.
“Low-protein dog food, as it is typically needed for management of kidney and liver disease, should also have added omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C in it,” says Brooks. “These help decrease the amount of free radicals and inflammation within the body and affected organs, and can improve quality of life.”
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive analysis of customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We chose dog food formulated according to AAFCO’s nutrient profiles for dogs, prioritizing nutritionally complete recipes that contain a maximum of 25% dry matter protein. Our picks are also influenced by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.