How Much Protein Should Adult Dog Food Have?

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The short answer

FEDIAF (the European Pet Food Industry Federation) sets the minimum crude protein requirement for adult dog maintenance at 18% on a dry matter basis. Most commercial dog foods exceed this comfortably.

But the percentage on the label is only part of the picture. Where the protein comes from matters as much as how much there is.

What crude protein actually measures

The "crude protein" value on the analytical constituents table measures total nitrogen-based compounds in the food, multiplied by a standard factor (6.25). It does not distinguish between:

• High-quality muscle meat protein
• Organ protein
• Plant-based protein from peas, soy, or potato
• Protein from rendered meals

Two foods can show identical crude protein percentages while delivering very different amino acid profiles and digestibility.

Typical protein ranges in UK dog food

Dry food (kibble):

• Economy range: 18–22%


• Mid-range: 23–28%


• Premium / high-meat: 28–40%

Wet food (tins, pouches):

• Economy range: 5–7%


• Mid-range: 8–10%


• Premium: 10–14%

Remember: wet and dry percentages are not directly comparable due to moisture content. To compare fairly, convert to a dry matter basis.

Protein source matters more than protein percentage

A food listing 30% crude protein sounds impressive. But check the ingredient list:

Scenario A: "Fresh chicken (30%), chicken meal (15%), sweet potato, chicken fat..."
This food's protein comes primarily from named, animal-based sources. The 30% crude protein is likely high-quality and well-absorbed.

Scenario B: "Cereals, meat and animal derivatives, vegetable protein extracts, soya..."
This food might also show 30% crude protein, but a significant portion comes from plant protein extracts and vague animal sources. The amino acid profile may be less ideal for a dog.

The crude protein number is the same. The quality behind it is not.

What about high-protein diets?

Some brands market "high protein" as automatically better. This is not always true:

• Most healthy adult dogs do well on moderate protein levels (22–30% dry matter basis)
• Very active or working dogs may benefit from higher protein (30%+)
• Sedentary adult dogs do not necessarily need premium high-protein food
• Dogs with certain health conditions may require protein-restricted diets — consult your veterinarian

Higher protein is not harmful for healthy adult dogs with normal kidney function, but it is not automatically necessary either. Choose based on your dog's activity level and the overall quality of the food, not just the protein number.

How to evaluate protein on a label

When checking a dog food label for protein quality, ask these questions:

1. What is the crude protein percentage? Check the analytical constituents table.
2. What is the first ingredient? It should ideally be a named animal protein.
3. Are protein sources named? "Chicken" is better than "poultry." "Poultry" is better than "meat and animal derivatives."
4. Are percentages declared? "Chicken (26%)" tells you more than "chicken" alone.
5. Are plant proteins inflating the number? Look for "vegetable protein extracts," "pea protein," "soya" or "potato protein" in the ingredient list.

How PetFoodFix assesses protein

When you search the database, PetFoodFix analyses both the crude protein level and the protein source transparency. A food with moderate protein from clearly named, percentage-declared animal sources scores higher than a food with high protein from vague or plant-heavy sources.

The report does not tell you which food to buy. It helps you understand what the label is (and is not) telling you about protein.

See a sample report to understand the analysis format.

Ready to check your dog's food? Start your analysis — £14.90, one-off, educational only.