What are the symptoms of too much protein in a dog
The Dangers of High Protein Dog Foods
By Ashley Gallagher, DVM
Choosing what to feed your dog can be an overwhelming decision. Pet food stores are packed with row after row of different brands of food all containing clever marketing slogans to convince you they are the best for your dog. Many of these dog foods boast about containing extremely high levels of protein that claim to satisfy your dogs instinctual need for meat as well as make them healthier and live longer.
Are Dogs Carnivores?
Marketing tactics by some pet food companies have fueled a common misconception among pet owners that dogs are obligate carnivores and require a diet that consists mostly of meat. This is not true. Dogs, like people, are omnivores and do best with a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Excessive protein consumption is unnecessary for dogs at best and for some dogs with medical conditions can actually be harmful.
Proteins are the building blocks of the body and an absolute necessity for daily function. However, when a dog consumes too much protein in a meal it cannot all be utilized at one time, nor can it be stored for later. The body will then excrete the excess protein through the kidneys and out of the body via urine. Thus the quality of the protein actually becomes more important that than actual amount as a high quality protein is more bioavailable and can be better absorbed by the body.
Another issue is that the meat in these diets acting as the protein source contains other nutrients that you do not want in excessive amounts. For example, when a diet is mostly meat it becomes very difficult to maintain a proper calcium-phosphorus ratio. When this ratio is out of balance disruptions in bone growth or kidney damage can occur. Well formulated dog foods have an appropriate balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to prevent this from happening.
Is Excessive Protein in Dog Food Bad for My Pet?
Protein is a calorie dense nutrient and many of the high protein diets are extremely high in calories and can quickly lead to weight gain. With over 50% of dogs in the U.S. considered overweight or obese, dog owners need to be aware of where those extra calories are hiding. If a dog has kidney or liver issues consuming too much protein can increase the workload on these organs and upset the balance of nutrients leading to exacerbation of disease.
Rather than look for a dog food that contains excessive levels of protein you should find one that is specifically formulated for your dogs lifestyle, life stage, and size. A working sled dog, for example, will have significantly different nutrient and caloric requirements than the average pet dog that ventures outside for a few walks a day and spends the rest of the time lounging. These two dogs should not be fed the same diet.
Puppies, meanwhile, require more protein than adult dogs because their bodies are busy growing. Among breeds of puppies there are different requirements for nutrients as well. For instance large breed puppies like Labrador retrievers need a much different diet than a Yorkie for optimal growth. Feeding large breed puppies something that is too high in protein may make them put on weight too quickly causing abnormal joint development and making them more prone to issues like arthritis in the future.
The safest diets are those that have been developed by pet food companies that invest in scientific research, consult with veterinary nutritionists, and perform feeding trials to develop their diets. This will provide a pet food that is properly balanced without any excess nutrients that are unnecessary and in some cases harmful for your dog.
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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...
