Amino Acids for Dogs: Why It Is a Vital Ingredient in Their Multivitamins

Nutrition plays a significant role in your pet's health. Many dog owners wonder if their companion receives enough vitamins and minerals from food. Some pet parents will provide their dogs with supplements, like these vitamins for bull breed dogs. However, no matter how you deliver nutrients to your furry friends, you want to stay informed about amino acids for dogs.

What Are Amino Acids?

Much like your own diet, your dog needs protein to thrive. Proteins consist of 20 different amino acids. Your dog naturally creates half of these on its own. You need to provide your dog with the other ten essential amino acids. Since your dog cannot make these essential amino acids, its diet must supply these proteins.

10 Essential Amino Acids Dogs Need:

• Isoleucine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Lysine
• Histidine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Leucine
• Valine

Your dog's body can't store amino acids like it stores other nutrients. Therefore, you'll want to ensure that your dog receives them daily. No matter what protein sources you provide, you need to incorporate the essential amino acids.

Why Do Amino Acids Matter?

You'll notice a few physical indicators when your dog receives enough amino acids. In general, a dog's muscle tissue tears as they run and play. Amino acids help those muscles repair and build strength. A few other benefits include a healthier immune system, healthy skin and coat, and carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Sources of Protein

When your dog eats, its body begins breaking down the dietary proteins and turning them into amino acids. Then, those amino acids reconstruct into the proteins your dog's body needs. However, this incredible process depends on the protein sources you choose. 

If you want to provide enough amino acids, look at the back of the dog food bag. Read the ingredient lists of a few different pet foods, and you'll discover a variety of protein sources. Some rely on plant protein from grains and legumes. However, you'll commonly recognize meat and dairy ingredients as the protein source. 

So how do you know if you're choosing food with high protein quality? First, examine the nutrition information on the back label. You'll want to see roughly 20-25% protein. Then look at the ingredient list. It should list two high-quality protein sources in the first few ingredients. Next, you should look for chicken, beef, eggs, duck, and other quality proteins.

The High-Quality Protein Difference

Marketing has turned "protein" into a buzzword on dog food labels. To help sales, many brands add protein fillers to increase the quantity of protein. Unfortunately, your dog's body cannot easily digest these low-quality protein sources. 

When you read the ingredient list, keep an eye out for corn and soy. These commonly used protein fillers hike up the protein count without providing your dog with all of the essential amino acids. Remember, high-quality protein should provide digestible protein with essential amino acids.

Your Dog's Unique Protein Diet Needs

The above information provides the standard dog's protein requirements. But much like humans, many dogs have unique health situations with special dietary needs. For example, working dogs require a higher protein level in their diet. Sled dogs, hunting dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs tend to engage in much more physical activity than the average house pet. Some other unique situations include pregnant or lactating dogs and sick or injured dogs. 

As a pet parent, you can quickly check to see if your dog receives enough protein by watching its behavior. A well-nourished dog will have high energy levels, a consistent appetite, and a healthy coat. If you do have concerns, call or visit your veterinarian for the most accurate answers about your dog's specific needs.

What About Too Much Protein?

To provide your dog with more essential amino acids, you'll provide them with more protein. Some pet owners may worry about adversely impacting their dog's health with too much protein. However, your dog's body knows how to dispose of any excess nutrients. They do so when they urinate. 

Increased protein does mean increasing calories intake. If you notice your pet gaining weight, you have options to continue providing protein without affecting their health. Add multivitamins to your pet's daily routine to prevent unhealthy weight gain.

Adding Protein with Multivitamins

Many pet owners provide their dogs with supplements. If you take a quick walk through your local pet store, you'll find supplements for skin and coat, heart health, joint health, allergies, and more. Many pet parents choose supplements based on a statistical analysis for their breed that states the specific health needs of their dog. 

Have you considered your dog's breed in terms of protein requirements? Certain breeds thrive as athletes. Add a multivitamin rich in amino acids, and you'll help them reach their true potential. Pit bulls, boxers, and rottweilers represent a few breeds with naturally muscular, athletic bodies.

The Benefits of Amino Acid Supplements

Increased Energy Levels

Calm dogs provide a sigh of relief for many pet owners. But lethargy may represent an unbalanced diet. Dogs crave a purpose, whether through agility training, long walks, or playing a game of fetch. If your companion hasn't been as excited about these activities, a multivitamin with amino acids might breathe new life into their activity level.

Necessary Weight Gain

Both older dogs and those with an illness can benefit from amino acid supplements. While most pet owners avoid adding extra weight to their dog's physique, some dogs need it. As our furry friends age or face illness, they may have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. A multivitamin with amino acids can help them increase their weight through healthy muscle gain.

The Importance of Amino Acids for Dogs

No matter the breed, lifestyle, or age of your dog, an amino acid multivitamin can add value to their diet. Check out our muscle builder supplements for bull breed dogs for those breeds with high protein needs. Add an amino acid supplement to your dog's diet today to help them reach their full potential.

At XDOG, be sure to check out our True Beast and Muscle Bully products, including both foods and supplements, to increase your dog’s amino acid intake. Search “amino acids” on our website or call us at (877) 835-9364.