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Novel protein dog food: What’s all the hype about?

Novel protein dog food: What’s all the hype about?

Novel protein diets for dogs are taking off across the world. As concerns around the health impacts and environmental harms of conventional and raw-meat-based dog food increase, there’s more and more talk about using alternative, novel protein sources. The novel protein sector is growing faster than conventional pet food, and more and more guardians are making the switch. So, what’s all the hype about? 

What are novel proteins? 

Novel proteins, in the context of pet food, refer to protein sources that aren’t conventionally used within the pet food industry. They might be common in human food systems, or they might be relatively novel to both human and companion animal diets. 

For example, many novel protein pet foods, including Omni’s life stage-specific dog foods, use healthy plant-based proteins such as peas and yeast-based ones and others from algae and more. We already know of a wide range of health benefits associated with these ingredients in humans, and we’re now seeing a large emerging body of evidence supporting health benefits for dogs too.

Other novel proteins can be even more new and targeted. Some pet foods now contain fermented proteins, which can provide high-quality nutrition using a very small fraction of the land required to make meat-based pet food. Others can even grow ethical and sustainable meat, called ‘cultivated meat’. 

Why do we need novel proteins?

Guardians are transitioning to novel proteins because they’re dissatisfied with the status quo in the pet food industry. Poor-quality animal byproducts are currently used in the majority of dog foods, not because they’re healthy but because they’re cheap. In fact, chicken and beef are one of the most common allergens for dogs, causing many to suffer from irritated skin and sensitive tummies. 

Higher-quality meat pet foods still come with a huge environmental footprint, putting off guardians who want to feed their dogs sustainably. And raw-meat based diets come with various dangers and risks, including transferring the harmful bacteria from the raw meat onto humans’ hands and faces. 

In short, alternatives are needed. As we care more for our dogs’ wellbeing, and as dog populations rise, we need to feed them a healthful, allergy-free, environmentally friendly diet.

The benefits of novel proteins

There is a particularly large body of research demonstrating a range of health benefits for dogs fed novel protein diets high in plant-based protein sources. Research has found that feeding a novel protein diet can significantly reduce the chances of a dog suffering from various health issues, including gastrointestinal issues and skin problems. Of course, in addition to the benefits the dog gains from these health benefits, this also likely means a significant reduction in vet bills for their guardians too.    

In fact, the health benefits of novel protein diets are so significant that dogs fed novel proteins live on average 1.5 years longer than dogs fed a conventional meat-based diet, according to one survey-based study. In human years, that’s the equivalent of an extra decade of healthy life. 

What’s more, these diets are much better for the environment. If all the world’s dogs transitioned onto novel protein diets, we could save more GHG emissions each year than all those emitted from the UK and New Zealand combined.

Whether for the various health benefits, the reduced vet bills, or the huge environmental benefits, novel protein dog foods are gaining popularity. Explore Omni’s range of vet-formulated, novel protein dog foods and supplements here

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