Yes, high-protein dog food can cause diarrhea.
This occurs rarely when the dog diet is monotonous and full of mass-produced foods.
Professionals recommend a balanced diet that includes the right nutrient amount.
However, some pets have their favorite food and prefer eating it constantly.
This is why we’re letting you in on all the details about protein food causing diarrhea.
What Are the Main Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs?
The main causes of diarrhea in dogs are bacteria and food sensitivity.
Other causes include ingestion of internal parasites and eating rotten food.
High-protein food is not included in the main causes of diarrhea.
Nevertheless, owners should be aware of the complications it may create. [1]
Diarrhea can be caused by three main pathophysiologic mechanisms:
What Are the Main Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs?
The main causes of diarrhea in dogs are bacteria and food sensitivity.
Other causes include ingestion of internal parasites and eating rotten food.
High-protein food is not included in the main causes of diarrhea.
Nevertheless, owners should be aware of the complications it may create. [2]
Diarrhea can be caused by three main pathophysiologic mechanisms:
Osmotic Diarrhea
Osmotic diarrhea is a symptom of malabsorptive diseases.
Nutrients persist in the intestinal lumen and draw water by simple penetration.
Secretory Diarrhea
One cause of secretory gastroenteritis is Escherichia coli.
Almost always, parasites or bacterial infections are responsible for this type of diarrhea. [3]
Mucosal Hyperpermeability
Losses of electrolytes and fluids are brought on by increased intestinal permeability.
Red blood cells and total proteins migrate across the intestinal lumen.
Modifications in mucosal porosity are frequently caused by ulcerative enteropathies or neoplastic diseases. [4]
Why Do Dogs Need Protein in Their Diet?
Dogs need protein in their diet to obtain optimal levels of muscle and bone tissue.
Proteins contain amino acids that take part in the normal function of the nervous system.
They strengthen muscle tissue and participate in the construction of tendons.
They improve the quality of fur and skin.
At the same time, they boost the immune system and slow down fat metabolism. [5]
Optimal Food Diet for Dogs
For a growing dog, the minimum protein intake requirement is 18% dry matter (DM).
For an adult dog, it is 8% DM.
This is the lowest amount based on providing a high amount of protein.
Since dogs are carnivores, they consume meat as a main source of protein.
All types of meat should make up one-third of the meal.
2.25 times as many calories are found in dietary fats than in proteins or carbs.
15% of total food should be ingested in the form of fat on average.
1% to 2% of the food must contain fat for fat-soluble vitamins to be absorbed.
Carbohydrates are essential to a dog’s daily diet.
They supply dietary fiber and energy in the form of glucose.
It ought to make up half of the dog’s daily meal consumption.
A dog’s regular gut health and function depend heavily on fiber. [6]
How Does a High Protein Diet Cause Diarrhea?
A high-protein diet causes diarrhea by creating toxic protein metabolites.
These toxic metabolites irritate the bowels.
The irritation causes inflammatory processes and erosions along the gut.
The inflamed bowel is unable to absorb the nutrients and fluid content of the stool.
So all nutrients and water is kept inside the gut and creates deformed feces – diarrhea.
How Do I Know if My Dog’s Food Is Causing Diarrhea?
You will know if your dog’s food is causing diarrhea by calculating protein intake levels.
By reading the content, you will be informed of the levels of protein the food contains.
Owners should be informed about the normal amounts of protein dogs need.
They may also note the frequency of the stools and the time they last.
Food-caused diarrhea lasts around 3 days. [7]
Changing the diet will stop the loose stools and return to the normal form of feces.
What Are The Symptoms of Too Much Protein in a Dog’s Diet?
The symptoms of too much protein in a dog’s diet include diarrhea.
This diarrhea includes at least three watery stools per day.
A diet high in protein may make pre-existing neurological problems worse.
It happens because the brain’s serotonin, which controls mood, is deficient.
Tryptophan is a key amino acid in the synthesis of serotonin.
This organic compound is present in a wide variety of foods, including fish, eggs, and poultry.
Tryptophan must compete with other amino acids contained in a diet that is very heavy in protein. [8]
This kind of competition can cause tryptophan levels to drop.
As a result, dogs become emotionally insatiable and lower their serotonin levels.
High protein can turn into fat, which leads to fat storage and obesity.
On a further note, toxic metabolites may cause kidney failure.
Diagnosis of Protein-Caused Diarrhea
There are no specific tests for diagnosing high protein diarrhea.
When starting the examination, the veterinarian asks detailed questions about the problem.
It includes the duration, frequency, and shape of the stools.
Then we continue with a physical examination of the dog. [9]
When analyzing blood and urine, it is possible to observe high levels of protein.
It is necessary to take part in the stool for microbiological analysis.
In this way, we make sure that the diarrhea is not of bacterial and parasitic origin.
Functional gastrointestinal tests may follow – to check bowel motility and structure.
More recently, a total protein level test has been used.
The last resort is to perform a biopsy – it is done only in very severe cases.
Usually when the vet suspects inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer.
Treatment of Protein-Caused Diarrhea
Empirical therapy is often used as a symptomatic treatment for acute, self-limiting diarrhea.
This is because many of these diarrheal illnesses have unknown etiology.
Fluid and electrolyte balance restorations are the major objectives of symptomatic therapy.
Following the dietary change, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like fenbendazole are administered. [10]
The erroneous advice to withhold food for 24 to 48 hours to promote “bowel rest” is unsupported.
The dietary restrictions include lowering the levels of protein intake.
Food should include easily digestible carbohydrates.
Owners can include soluble fibers since they help firm up the stool.
Vets recommend small frequent portions and fatty-free meals. [11]
Does High Protein Dog Food Make Dogs Poop More?
Yes, high-protein dog food makes dogs poop more.
This is due to the creation of toxic metabolites which irritate the bowel.
Bacteria, parasites, and food intolerance can also cause diarrhea.
The main treatment includes rehydration and a change in the dog’s diet.
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