Protein in dog food - the facts

Quick protein guide for dog owners....

All food is made up from Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, Fibre, Ash (minerals) and Water. Dogs evolved to eat a diet high in protein and fat. If you do not give them a diet high in these, then it means it must be high in carbohydrates. Whilst dogs are fantastic at adapting to live with us and have developed the ability to digest a bit of carbohydrate it certainly does not mean that they thrive on it. 

So - that means a diet high in protein and fat is best, but it doesn't stop there. Not all protein is equal to dogs. Some protein is easily digestible by dogs - this usually comes from meat and fish sources. Some protein is not as easy to break down, puts more strain on their system and is not as beneficial - this usually comes from plant based sources (soy for example). 

Therefore you cannot look at protein percentages on their own, you also need to look at where the protein is coming from. Akela is high in protein but you can also see it is made from 80% meat or fish - meaning the protein is the best type for your dog.

A friend told me that high protein diets can lead to hyperactivity, is this a myth?

Yes it's a myth, an excuse for poor training and one that has been encouraged by brands that pump their foods full of cheap fillers like grain.  Dogs evolved from wolves and have a short digestive tract and canine teeth designed for a high protein diet. They would not hunt or eat grain in the wild. They may well be more lethargic and sedentary on a grain-based diet (imagine how you feel after a large pasta meal) but that's not to say it's natural.  Dogs are by their very nature bundles of fun when fed on a healthy diet.  It is important to train them properly.

Which Akela food is the lowest in Purine?

If you are looking for a lower Purine Akela food (for example if you have a Dalmatian) then you should feed the Scottish Salmon which our lowest and is the one we recommend for this breed.