protein for dogs
High Levels of Protein in Dog Urine (Proteinuria in Dogs)
What Is Excess Protein in Dog Urine (Proteinuria)?
Proteinuria means there is excess protein in your dogs urine. Although dogs usually have a small amount of protein in their urine, too much protein can be a sign of an underlying condition.
The most important condition associated with proteinuria in dogs is kidney disease, but it can also be caused by infections, inflammation or bleeding along the urinary tract, tumors, high blood pressure, and other conditions. In many cases of proteinuria that are not connected to kidney disease, the condition will resolve as soon as the underlying condition is treated.
Proteinuria caused by kidney disease is a sign that your dogs kidneys arent functioning properly. Kidneys are normally responsible for filtering waste from the bloodstream and balancing levels of certain nutrients.
In dogs with kidney disease, however, a filtering structure in the kidney called the glomerulus is not working as it should. This allows proteins that would normally be kept in the blood to spill over into the urine, where they can be detected by your dogs vet.
Proteinuria itself is not a diseaseinstead, its a sign there is an underlying condition that needs attention.
Symptoms of Proteinuria in Dogs
The symptoms of canine proteinuria depend on the underlying condition thats causing it. In many cases, dogs with proteinuria wont show any symptoms at all, and the condition will be discovered during a routine urinalysis at the vets office.
Proteinuria in dogs can be a sign of serious kidney disease, so if you see signs like lethargy or notice that your dog is drinking a lot more, you should seek out emergency veterinarian care as soon as possible.
Proteinuria in dogs may also be associated with any of the following:
Edema (swelling) in your dogs legs, lower chest, or abdomen. You may see pitting edema, where a dimple remains in the swollen area after you press it.
Difficulty breathing due to fluid in your dogs chest (pleural effusion) or abdomen (known as ascites or peritoneal effusion).
Blood clots. Symptoms associated with blood clots include difficulty breathing, painful limbs, vomiting, diarrhea, or collapse. The exact symptoms depend on where the blood clot is located. If your dog shows any signs that may be caused by a blood clot, they need immediate emergency care.
Causes of Proteinuria in Dogs
The causes of proteinuria include many issues that can occur anywhere along your dogs urinary tract, including kidney disease.
Hemolysis (when blood cells burst and release hemoglobin protein into the blood)
Rhabdomyolysis (when muscle cells break down and release muscle protein into the blood; this can be caused by strenuous exercise, fever, or seizures)
Infections (infection of the bladder, urethra, or ureter; genital infections; Lyme disease; anaplasmosis; ehrlichiosis; heartworm disease; dental disease; bacterial skin disease; endocarditis [infection on a heart valve]; Leishmaniasis)
Cancers (lymphoma, mast cell tumor, multiple myeloma, transitional cell carcinoma [cancer of the urinary tract], histiocytic sarcoma)
Inflammation caused by conditions like pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis
Kidney issues (injury, failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cancer of the kidney)
Fanconi syndrome (abnormal functioning of tubules in the kidneys)
Systemic lupus erythematosus
High blood pressure
Cushings disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
Diabetes mellitus
Genetic predisposition
Amyloidosis (a rare disease that causes high levels of certain proteins in the heart, kidneys, and other organs)
Idiopathic (unknown cause)
Dog Breeds That Are Prone to Proteinuria
How Vets Diagnose Proteinuria in Dogs
The most common test to detect proteinuria in dogs is a routine urinalysis. In this test, urine is collected from your dog and assessed by a lab or in a veterinarians office.
If high levels of protein are detected in your dogs urine, your vet will recommend follow-up testing with a second test called a urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR). The UPCR test is considered the gold standard test to measure protein levels in dogs. It will likely be conducted along with other tests to measure your dogs kidney health. During the UPCR test, urine will be collected from your dog and analyzed in a lab to detect the exact levels of protein in the urine. This helps your vet identify whats causing the condition.
If a UPCR shows significant proteinuria (a value greater than 0.5), your vet should confirm it by testing two additional samples of urine taken directly from your dogs bladder with a needle. Additional testing is recommended because proteinuria in dogs can be temporary and may not require treatment.
A urine culture may need to be ordered to determine if a urinary tract infection is present, since a urinalysis can miss a urinary tract infection. A urine culture is the best way diagnose or rule out an infection, especially if a dog has proteinuria and is having symptoms that would support an infection.
Treatment for Proteinuria in Dogs
Proteinuria itself is not a condition, but it may indicate a more serious underlying health problem.
If your dog has proteinuria, your vet will first identify the underlying cause. This will likely involve additional tests, along with a detailed history of your dogs health and any changes in their behavior. They may also prescribe medications to prevent blood clots, such as a very low dose of aspirin or clopidogrel, a blood thinner.
Once the underlying cause has been discovered, your vet can develop a treatment plan. Some of the conditions and related treatments that are linked to proteinuria include:
Kidney Disease
Proteinuria is found in dogs with kidney disease, including chronic kidney disease (CKD) and sometimes acute kidney failure. If your dog is diagnosed with kidney disease, your vet will develop a treatment plan to relieve symptoms and restore your animals quality of life as much as possible.
Treating kidney disease in dogs can be complex and difficult, but it usually involves regular testing to monitor kidney function and medications that reduce the pressure on the kidneys and help them function better.
Common medications include high blood pressure medications (see below) and possibly, diuretics such as furosemide or spironolactone, if edema is present. These medications reduce the amount of swelling or fluid in your dogs chest or abdomen. Your dog may also be prescribed a special diet with low sodium, low protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Infections
Infections causing proteinuria, including urinary tract infections, are often treated with antibiotics. The proteinuria often goes away after successful treatment.
High Blood Pressure
Elevated blood pressure can cause proteinuria in dogs by forcing protein into the urine in the kidneys. Common medications used to treat high blood pressure in dogs include amlodipine and telmisartan. Your vet may also prescribe ACE inhibitor medications including enalapril or benazepril.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myelomas are tumors that produce antibodies. They also produce special Bence-Jones proteins that are small enough to pass through the kidneys filter and into the urine. These proteins cause proteinuria and can damage the kidney. A special Bence-Jones protein test can detect these proteins if your veterinarian suspects your dog has multiple myeloma.
Recovery and Management of Proteinuria in Dogs
Resolving proteinuria means treating the underlying condition. Its best to detect proteinuria as early as possible so your vet can figure out whats causing it and develop a treatment plan. In some cases, such as lower urinary tract infection, the condition can be treated relatively easily and the proteinuria will go away.
Chronic causes of proteinuria, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Cushings disease, or diabetes mellitus, may require long-term treatment. During treatment, your vet will try to stabilize the disease and prevent long-term kidney damage.
Dogs diagnosed with severe kidney disease, such as severe inherited kidney disorder, cancer in the kidney, or kidney failure, may not be able to stabilize the disease or will only be able to do so for a short time.
Proteinuria in Dogs FAQs
What does it mean if a dog has protein in their urine?
Dogs normally have a small amount of protein in their urine. When the vet sees that there are higher-than-normal levels of protein released into your dogs urine, your veterinarian will perform tests to rule out several possible causes of proteinuria, including kidney disease. Proteinuria should be diagnosed and confirmed by a vet.
How do I reduce protein in my dog's urine?
Some of the most common causes of damage to a dogs kidney are infections. Keep your dog up to date on heartworm prevention as well as flea and tick control. Treat skin infections and dental disease early.
Why does my dog have high protein in his urine?
High protein in the urine may indicate an infection, blood in the urine, broken red blood cells, muscle proteins, or albumin in the urine. Sometimes, the protein indicates a problem in the kidneys glomerulus (filtering apparatus), causing protein loss from the body into the urine.
What is urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) in dogs?
This is a measurement of the ratio of urine protein to a substance called urine creatinine in your dogs blood creatinine. Creatinine is a normal waste product found in the blood. This test is considered the gold standard for measuring proteinuria in dogs. Normal UPCR levels are less than 0.5. This test is often used in conjunction with other kidney tests to measure overall kidney function.
WRITTEN BY
Jennifer S. Fryer, DVMVeterinarian
Jennifer S. Fryer, DVM graduated with Honors from Brown University with an AB in Development Studies, an interdisciplinary study of the...
Protein for Dogs: How Much Do They Need? Our Vet Answers!
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreIf you feed formulated kibble to your dog, you may not think about their macronutrient needs very often. It probably comes as no surprise that, just like humans, dogs require a balance of macronutrientsincluding carbohydrates, fat, and proteinto stay healthy. Have you ever wondered how these components benefit your dogs body? If so, youve come to the right place.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of getting enough protein for your pup, as well as how much protein your dog actually needs and strategies for selecting high-quality dog food.
Why Do Dogs Need Protein?
Simply put, your dogs body would not function without protein. Protein performs several key bodily functions, such as building muscles and organ structures and creating enzymes, hormones, and antibodies to help maintain a strong immune system and a functioning body.
Protein is made up of little building blocks called amino acids. Your dog needs 22 total amino acids, and while your dogs body is capable of producing 12 of those amino acids, the remaining 10 need to come from their diet. 1 When a dog is not getting enough protein, their coat might be dry, brittle, or even patchy. You may find that they lose weight very easily or that wounds take a long time to heal.
How Much Protein Do Dogs Need?
The question of how much protein your dog needs depends on how much they weigh and how active they are. Generally speaking, your dog needs about 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. Note that if your dog is overweight, you should base this calculation on your dogs ideal body weight.
If your dog is a working dog or if they simply get a large amount of exercise, they will need more protein in their diet than a dog that gets light to moderate exercise. The same is true for pregnant or lactating dogs and in some cases, ill or sick dogs. Puppies also need more protein than adult dogs; about 29% (by weight) of their diet should be protein.If you are unsure how much protein your dog needs based on their age, exercise level, and other factors, make sure to ask your veterinarian for advice. Not every protein is the same, and plant-based proteins do not provide dogs with the precursor amino acids, a.k.a. building blocks, that they need to synthesize taurine.
A great dog food that is complete, balanced, and based on quality ingredients can make all the difference.
When it comes to keeping any dog or puppy fit and healthy, diet and high-quality protein sources are key. Spot & Tango uses excellent ingredients to provide your fur baby with the best possible nutrition.
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Can Dogs Have Too Much Protein?
One common myth about dogs and protein is that giving your dog too much protein can cause kidney failure. This myth comes from the fact that high-protein diets can be harmful to dogs that already have kidney disease. However, studies have shown that high-protein diets do not adversely affect your dogs kidneys.
To determine the correct amount of protein for a specific dog, you will need to consider their individual factors: age, size, activity level, health, life stage, etc. But generally speaking, diets labeled as high protein are just over 30% protein, which is not too much protein for a facultative carnivores body. In a healthy dog, high protein is not going to cause a health issue, since any excess protein will be used for energy, and the by-products will be excreted via urine or feces.
Rather than focusing on high protein levels, you should consider the quality of the proteins and the composition of essential amino acids and their digestibility and bioavailability. If a protein is poorly digestible, the excess is excreted into feces or fermented, resulting in smelly gas and feces. If a protein is highly digestible, it will be easily absorbed and made bioavailable. Your dogs body will use it to form structural proteins like muscle tissue, synthesize enzymes and hormones, and finally, transform it into energy for utilization and storage.
This is why feeding your dog too much of a high-protein diet may become an issue, with the possibility of weight gain. As with any other nutrient, excessive consumption of protein beyond the requirements for maintenance will be stored. Extra protein will also result in additional monetary and ecological costs for food. Therefore, knowing the right amount of protein that your dog needs is the right and ethical thing to do.
How Can I Choose High-Quality Dog Food?
When choosing the best food for your dog, make sure to read the label. While your dog needs protein, they will also benefit from other types of foods, including vegetables, fruits, and grains. The highest-quality dog foods will include a few of these elements in addition to meat. Make sure that you recognize most of the ingredients in the food you choose and that it doesnt contain too many carbohydrates. Aim for a dog food whose first two or three ingredients are meat-based.
Conclusion
Protein is an essential nutrient for your dog. The exact amount of protein that your dog needs depends on their size, age, and activity level. Unless your dog has kidney problems, you shouldnt be too concerned about feeding them too much protein as long as you choose high-quality, balanced dog food. Still, its best to find the right amount of protein to prevent unnecessary waste or weight gain. When in doubt, talk to your vet about finding the right food for your dog.
Featured Image by: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock
