🥩 The Ultimate Guide to Dog Proteins: How to Choose the Right One for Your Pup
TLDR:
Not all proteins are created equal. From beef and chicken to duck, rabbit, and fish—each protein source offers different nutrients, digestibility, and suitability for your dog’s individual needs. This guide breaks down the most common animal proteins used in dog food, explores the benefits and drawbacks of each, and helps you decide what’s best for your dog. We’ll also highlight some of our favorite high-quality options from brands like Smallbatch, Bones & Co., FirstMate, Ziwi, and more.
Quick tip: Rotating proteins can help prevent sensitivities and provide a more balanced nutrient profile. The more variety (and quality) you can offer your dog, the better.
Why Protein Source Matters
Protein is the foundation of your dog’s health. It supports muscle growth and maintenance, repairs tissue, regulates hormones, and fuels energy. But not all protein sources are the same—and the quality and type of protein you feed your dog can have a significant impact on their digestion, skin, energy levels, and overall well-being.
When we opened Hundenfolk, we noticed a pattern: most pet parents were doing their best, but still felt confused about what kind of food their dogs should be eating—especially when it came to choosing a protein. Should you stick to chicken? Avoid beef? Rotate? What if your dog has allergies?
These questions are incredibly common—and totally valid. So in this post, we’re digging into the pros and cons of each protein source and how to find the right match for your dog.
🥩 Beef
Rich, hearty, and protein-dense.
Beef is a great source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins. It supports lean muscle development and provides excellent energy for active dogs. However, it can be high in fat and is a common allergen in sensitive pups.
✅ Best for: Active dogs with no beef sensitivities.
❌ Watch out for: Skin issues or digestive upset in sensitive dogs.
Our Go-To Beef Options:
- Smallbatch Beef (Frozen Raw & Lightly Cooked)
- FirstMate Limited Ingredient New Zealand Beef Formula
- Orijen Regional Red
🍗 Chicken
Lean and widely available—but not for everyone.
Chicken is highly digestible and full of essential amino acids, but it’s also one of the most overused proteins in commercial pet food—making it a top allergen.
✅ Best for: Dogs with strong stomachs who need a lean, affordable protein.
❌ Watch out for: Itchy skin, recurring ear infections, or GI issues—possible signs of a chicken allergy.
Favorites at Hundenfolk:
- The Bones & Co. Kickin' Chicken
- Open Farm Air-Dried Harvest Chicken
- Raw Dynamic Freeze-Dried Chicken
🐑 Lamb
Gentle and nutrient-rich.
Lamb is a great option for dogs with food sensitivities. It’s packed with iron, B12, and healthy fats. Some picky eaters aren’t fans of the flavor, but for dogs with allergies, it’s a great alternative to common proteins.
✅ Best for: Dogs with digestive issues or food allergies.
❌ Watch out for: Slightly higher fat content.
Top Picks:
- The Bones & Co. Linkin' Lamb
- Open Farm RawMix Front Range Recipe
- Ziwi Air-Dried Tripe & Lamb
🐟 Fish (Salmon, Whitefish, Mackerel)
Omega-3 powerhouse.
Fish is packed with omega-3s, which support skin, joints, and cognitive health. It’s also a great option for dogs with meat sensitivities. Just be sure the fish is wild-caught and responsibly sourced to avoid high mercury levels.
✅ Best for: Dogs with itchy skin, joint stiffness, or inflammation.
❌ Watch out for: Smelly breath and slightly oily stools in some dogs.
What We Carry:
- FirstMate Limited Ingredient Pacific Ocean Fish Formula
- Open Farm Rawmix Wild Ocean Recipe
- Orijen Six Fish Recipe
🦆 Duck
A rich, novel protein.
Duck is considered a novel protein for many dogs, making it a solid choice for those with sensitivities to chicken or beef. It’s nutrient-dense and delicious, but slightly higher in fat.
✅ Best for: Dogs with food allergies or picky eaters.
❌ Watch out for: Overfeeding—it’s calorie dense.
Duck Favorites:
- Smallbatch frozen raw Duck
- Raw Dynamic Duck Recipe (Frozen & Freeze-Dried)
🐇 Rabbit
Lean, light, and hypoallergenic.
Rabbit is one of the most hypoallergenic proteins available and is often used in elimination diets. It’s also low in fat and easy to digest—but it’s not always easy to find or affordable.
✅ Best for: Dogs with severe food sensitivities or on elimination diets.
❌ Watch out for: Limited availability and higher price point.
If You Can Find It:
- Raw Dynamic Rabbit (Frozen & Freeze-Dried)
- Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Rabbit
🐖 Pork
Flavorful and nutrient-rich.
Pork tends to be a bit underappreciated in the dog food world, but it’s packed with thiamine and often more digestible than beef. Dogs love the taste, making it great for picky eaters.
✅ Best for: Dogs who need a protein switch or aren’t interested in their food.
❌ Watch out for: High fat content if your dog needs to watch their weight.
Best Bets:
- Smallbatch Pork
- Raw Dynamic Pork
🦃 Turkey
Lean, mild, and easy on the tummy.
Turkey is lower in fat than chicken, and generally more tolerable for dogs with poultry sensitivities. It’s a great choice for rotational feeding and works well as a neutral base protein.
✅ Best for: Dogs with sensitive digestion or on lean diets.
❌ Watch out for: Overuse—rotate with fattier proteins for balance.
Top Picks:
- Smallbatch Turkey
- Bones & Co. Temptin' Turkey
- Open Farm Rawmix Turkey Open Prairie Recipe
Why Rotating Proteins Is So Important
One of the best things you can do for your dog’s long-term health is rotate their proteins. Feeding a variety of animal proteins provides a more complete nutrient profile, supports digestive resilience, and reduces the risk of food sensitivities developing over time.
🌀 How to Rotate:
Start with 2–3 proteins your dog tolerates well and rotate every few weeks or bags. Introduce new proteins slowly—especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
✨ Bonus: Rotation keeps your dog excited about meals and makes them more adaptable eaters.
What If My Dog Has Allergies?
Food allergies are often caused by overexposure to common proteins—especially chicken, beef, or grains. If your dog has itchy skin, chronic ear infections, or loose stool, talk to your vet about trying an elimination diet using a novel protein like rabbit, duck, or venison.
Look for limited-ingredient formulas with a single protein and minimal additives. Smallbatch, FirstMate, and Raw Dynamic all make excellent options for dogs with food sensitivities.
What Scout & Jasper Eat
Scout and Jasper both thrive on a rotation of lightly cooked beef from Smallbatch as the base to their meals, with raw turkey, lamb, or rabbit from Bones & Co., plus raw additions like chicken hearts, duck liver, and bone broth, and goat's milk. I switch up their proteins every few weeks to ensure balance, and I watch closely for signs that something’s not working (loose stool, itchiness, disinterest).
They also love the occasional sardine or freeze-dried rabbit treat—both great for variety and extra nutrients.
Final Thoughts: Feed with Intention
Choosing the right protein source isn’t just about what your dog likes—it’s about what helps them thrive. Look for ethically sourced, high-quality meats from reputable brands, rotate for variety, and trust your instincts when something doesn’t feel right.
In the next and final post in this series, we’ll break down how to read a dog food label, what all those confusing ingredients actually mean, and how to spot greenwashing or misleading marketing claims.
Until then, stay curious, rotate wisely, and feed with love.