Discover the Best Novel Proteins for Dogs with Allergies and GI Issues

What is the new way to your dog's heart? A novel protein diet!

Contrary to popular opinion, over-dependence on common proteins like beef and chicken can trigger allergic reactions. Dogs need variety, just like humans. If your pets have been experiencing food allergies, the culprit might be lurking in their bowl. The good news? Novel proteins are here to your dog's rescue. They are flavorful, easily digestible, and highly nutritious.

What are Novel Proteins?

These are new protein sources that your dog will have never eaten before. Novel synonymizes the word “new.” The phrase simply translates to “new proteins.” Forget chicken or beef and think of venison, lamb, or fish like salmon and pollock.

Popular Novel Protein Diets

At California Dog Kitchen, we believe your pup deserves the best of what people have access to. This includes flavorful, allergen-free foods. Here are our top novel protein diets that dogs and dog owners love:

1. Venison and Zucchini

Treat your dog to a nutritious, tummy-friendly meal with our venison and zucchini dog food.

Venison is a novel protein that’s naturally dense in minerals like iron and zinc. Unlike kibble, it’s easily digestible and ideal for pups with food intolerances. Adding vegetables transforms this novel protein diet into a balanced meal.

We prepare our venison and zucchini recipe with this in mind, using wild-hunted deer, organic vegetables, and quinoa.

What Makes This Special

• It is high in nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins: Zinc contributes to a healthy coat, iron provides stamina, and B vitamins promote metabolism and energy production.
• Clean and organic ingredients: Sourced deer have a clean diet obtained through foraging. Also, 98% of the non-meat ingredients are USDA Certified Organic. There are no preservatives, wheat, corn, or soy.
• Designed by a PhD veterinary nutritionist: The food production process is evidence-based and informed by the best practices. It is a complete and balanced diet.
• Quick and easy to defrost and serve: It arrives in fresh bite-sized cubes.

Shop our Venison and Zucchini Recipe to support your pet's health from the inside out. Dogs deserve better than kibble.

 

2. Lamb and Squash

Upgrade your dog's diet with our lamb and squash recipe.

Lamb is a novel protein food option for dogs who have never tried it. It’s high in protein and essential amino acids. It’s also gentle on dogs with sensitive stomachs that react to common proteins like chicken or beef.

Our lamb and squash recipe is gently cooked. It’s made from Australian-raised lamb and organic vegetables, including squash and quinoa. This recipe is a great food option for puppies who need to build muscle mass and coat health.

What Makes This Special

• A great option for picky eaters: Our lamb is tender, flavorful, and satisfying, even for dogs with food intolerance.
• Rich in nutrients: Proteins and healthy fats support strong muscles and brain health while keeping your pup’s coat shiny and beautiful. Amino acids facilitate cell repair.
• Designed by a PhD vet nutritionist to ensure health and safety: Like all California Dog Kitchen meals, a PhD veterinary nutritionist designed this dog food.
• Organic human-grade ingredients: 98% of the non-meat ingredients are USDA Certified Organic. It contains no preservatives, wheat, corn, or soy.
• Easy to defrost and serve: Gradually defrost overnight in the fridge for a ready-to-eat meal.

Shop our Lamb & Squash Recipe for the perfect balance of clean nutrition and a taste your dog will love.

3. Grain-Free Fish

This grain-free fish recipe is low in fat and double-packed with proteins.

Fish is a lean protein source vital in building and repairing tissues. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation, improve coat health, and support brain development.

Our grain-free fish dog food has wholesome ingredients, including pollock and omega-rich salmon skin. Gently cooked, both protein sources constitute 60% of the recipe and are complemented by organic vegetables, including yellow squash and spinach.

What Makes This Special

• Offers two novel proteins: It is a lean protein dog food containing wild-caught pollock and omega-rich salmon skin.
• 100% grain-free: It is a good option for dogs sensitive to grain-inclusive dog food.
• Packed with omega-3: Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil reduce inflammation, support heart, brain, and eye health, and can improve mood and sleep.
• Organic ingredients: 98% of the non-meat ingredients are USDA Certified Organic.
• Designed by a PhD veterinary nutritionist: It is a complete and balanced food with no preservatives or fillers.
• Quick and easy to defrost and serve

Shop our Grain-Free Fish Recipe and give your dog a taste of the better things in life.

How Do Novel Protein Dog Foods Reduce Allergies and GI Issues?

One reason pets develop allergic reactions is due to eating the same type of protein over time. Their immune system gets used to the protein and reacts negatively. It produces antibodies that identify the protein as harmful, resulting in food allergies. This is no different from how humans get allergies, like rashes, when they overeat proteins like eggs.

Novel protein dog foods are like fresh air to your dog's immune system. They are new and less likely to cause digestive issues or adverse allergic reactions. This is because your dog's immune system has not been exposed to them before. It’s the elimination of common proteins and the introduction of new nutrients into your dog's diet that ultimately reduce food allergies and GI issues.

Note that novel proteins are lean and free of saturated fats, making them good alternatives to chicken and beef. They are easy on any pet's digestive system and are less likely to trigger adverse food reactions.

Why Dogs Deserve Novel Proteins

Food Allergies and Intolerances

Dogs with adverse reactions such as chronic itching might have been exposed to food allergens. Allergic reactions can be persistent and stressful. Switching to a balanced diet that includes novel protein dog foods removes the problematic ingredient and gives your dog's body a chance to heal.

Digestive Issues and Sensitive Stomachs

The gut system of some dogs is a bit more delicate. Novel proteins can become a lifesaver for dogs prone to allergic reactions and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many novel protein dog foods are more digestible than red meat or chicken.

Elimination Diet

This diet is a typical recommendation by vets. It is prescribed when a dog's allergies are unclear and persistent, for instance, when there is a prolonged GI upset. An elimination diet is based on limited ingredients, including novel proteins and carbohydrates. Once the novel protein diet successfully alleviates symptoms, the dog owner can reintroduce common ingredients individually to identify the allergen.

Choosing the Best Novel Protein Dog Food

How to Determine if Your Dog Needs a Novel Food Diet

Have you ever wondered if your pup actually needs unique protein sources? Has your pet been eating common proteins for a while? Well, look out for the following signs and consult your vet if you notice any of the following:

• Persistent itching
• Ear infections
  
• Upset tummies (diarrhea, vomiting, and/or gas)
• Dull coat or excessive shedding

Your vet may suggest an elimination diet containing a novel protein to identify food sensitivities. In this case, any of our novel protein recipes would be a gentle food option to support your dog's well-being.

What to Look for in Novel Protein Dog Food

When shopping for novel proteins, consider the following pointers:

• Is the protein source new to your dog? It should be something your dog is not used to eating.
• Does the food have fillers and preservatives? There should be none for a cleaner diet.
• How many ingredients are in the dog food? The fewer, the better.
• Are ingredients processed or organic? Focus on real meats and organic veggies.
• Is the protein source ethically sourced? Prioritize healthy and ethically sourced meats.

Questions Our Customers Frequently Ask Us

What is Considered a Novel Protein for Dogs?

A novel protein is a new protein that a dog has not had before. Examples of novel protein dog foods include meats like venison and lamb, species like salmon or pollock, rabbit, kangaroo, bison, or even insects.

What Novel Protein is Best for Dogs with IBD?

The best dog food is a single-protein source without fillers, such as lamb, pollock, salmon, or rabbit. The type of food you choose depends on your dog's previous exposure. Always consult your vet before making any decisions.

What is the Healthiest Protein for Dogs?

There is no single healthiest protein for dogs, just like there is none for humans. It will depend on the dog's nutritional needs, but novel proteins like venison or lamb suit puppies with sensitive stomachs.

Is Salmon a Novel Protein for Dogs?

Yes, if your dog has not eaten it before. Species like salmon, pollock, and herring are highly nutritional novel food proteins for dogs.

What Protein is Best for Dog Allergies?

Lamb, pollock, salmon, and other novel proteins are good foods for dogs with allergies. Always consult your vet before changing your dog's food.

Conclusion

A happy dog with a healthy weight and coat is the joy of every pet parent. In case you have been dealing with persistent allergies and GI issues, talk to your vet and switch your dog's diet with us.

Discover why thousands of pet parents trust California Dog Kitchen.

We are passionate about producing high-quality novel dog food made with certified organic vegetables and premium-quality meats.

Our recipes are perfect for dogs with food sensitivities and those who need something different than standard kibble.
Choose your recipe and see the difference novel proteins can make.