As pet owners, we want the best for our pets – whether that means extra belly rubs, walks at their favourite park, or ensuring their diet is perfectly tailored to their needs. One increasingly popular trend among pet parents is the inclusion of novel proteins in their pet’s diets.
Novel proteins refer to protein sources that are not as commonly found in standard pet food, such as kangaroo, duck, venison and crocodile. Whilst this dietary choice may sound like a fantastic idea, it comes with both benefits and drawbacks which need to be considered.
Benefits of Novel Proteins
Alleviating Allergies and Sensitivities
Pets can develop allergies or sensitivities to common protein sources like chicken and beef. Novel proteins provide an alternative that may reduce allergic reactions and improve overall digestion. For pets with chronic skin issues or gastrointestinal discomfort, switching to an unfamiliar protein source can be transformative.
Variety and Nutritional Value
Novel proteins can offer unique nutrients and amino acid profiles that aren’t always present in traditional diets. This variety can help round out your pets nutritional needs, promoting better health and energy levels
Tailored Diets for Special Cases
Veterinarians often recommend novel protein based diets for pets suffering from conditions associated with inflammatory bowel disease or food intolerances. These proteins can form part of a specialised diets, such as protein exclusion diets, which can aid in identifying potential issues and assist with the overall management of these conditions.
Drawbacks of Novel Proteins
Limited Accessibility
Novel proteins are often less widely available than traditional options and can be significantly more expensive. This can make it challenging for some pet owners to maintain such diets over the long term.
Risk of Nutritional Imbalance
Ensuring that you feed a variety of proteins is an important aspect of raw feeding. A diet based on just novel proteins (or even a single protein) can lack essential nutrients or fail to meet your pets dietary requirements especially when fed over a prolonged period. Balancing these diets can sometimes require additional supplements or nutritionist guidance to maintain long term.
Overexposure
As novel proteins become more common, overexposure may lead to pets developing sensitivities to these proteins. This could also diminish their effectiveness as hypoallergenic options. It is also important to note that once a protein has been included in your pets diet it may no longer be suitable use in a protein exclusion diet. Due to this it is recommended to exclude one or two novel proteins from your pets everyday diet to allow for potential future use.
Final thoughts
Including novel proteins in your pet’s diet can be an excellent solution for managing allergies and expanding their nutritional intake and variety, but it is essential to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks. By staying informed and proactive you can make the best choice for your pet.
