Guide to Hydrolyzed Proteins for Dogs & Cats
Pets with severe adverse food reactions or intolerances to intact proteins may experience immune-mediated responses, such as gastrointestinal sensitivity or skin irritation, when consuming foods that contain them. For these pets, a diet featuring hydrolyzed protein can help reduce the likelihood of an immune response to a dietary protein, assist in identifying food allergies and sensitivities, and support greater comfort and wellbeing.
In this article, Dr. Danielle Opetz explains hydrolyzed proteins in layman's terms, so pet owners can make the best decisions for their pet’s wellbeing.
What are Hydrolyzed Proteins
Hydrolyzed proteins are typically found in specially-formulated pet foods, some of which are targeted toward pets with food allergies and may be labeled as hypoallergenic. They feature intentionally and precisely modified protein structures that have been broken down from larger, intact molecules into smaller peptides and amino acids. During manufacturing, water and enzymes or an acid are used to hydrolyze proteins, a process that mimics digestion by breaking proteins into their component parts and preparing them for absorption.
In simple terms, hydrolyzed proteins are proteins that have been broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids, making them easier to digest and less likely to trigger an immune response.
Protein Synthesis vs. Protein Hydrolysis
Think of protein synthesis like building with LEGO bricks: amino acids are the individual bricks, which are snapped together to form a peptide chain. Once that chain folds into the correct shape, a functional protein is ready to do its job.
Simple building blocks → peptide chain → functional protein
Protein hydrolysis is like taking apart a LEGO model. A complete protein is the finished structure, and enzymes break it down into peptide chains and individual amino acids, similar to separating the bricks, so the body can more easily digest, absorb, and utilize them.
Hydrolyzed Protein Sources in Fromm Pet Foods
Fromm Nutritionals diets are formulated with hydrolyzed proteins from a variety of sources, including:
How Hydrolyzed Protein Works in Dogs & Cats
Much like humans, both canines and felines break proteins down into building blocks called amino acids, which are then recombined to create new proteins within the body. A pet’s immune system may have, or can develop over time, adverse reactions to certain proteins that it mistakenly identifies as a foreign invader.
When this occurs, the immune system recognizes the protein and mounts a response, triggering the release of antibodies, such as immunoglobulin E (IgE). This reaction can contribute to signs of food sensitivity, including digestive upset or skin irritation.
Hydrolyzed proteins help address the challenge because they have been broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids. These protein fragments are often too small for the immune system to recognize as the original protein, helping reduce the likelihood of an immune response while still providing nutritional value.
Bypassing Immune Response
Since these hydrolyzed protein fragments are significantly smaller, they are less likely to be recognized by the immune system as potential allergens. As a result, they can move through the digestive tract with a reduced likelihood of triggering the immune reactions that intact proteins may cause in sensitive pets. This allows nutrients to be digested and absorbed without provoking unnecessary inflammation or other immune-mediated responses.
How Hydrolyzed Proteins are Made
Enzymes or acids are used to break down proteins into smaller molecules to improve digestibility. Food manufacturers use one of two primary methods to create hydrolyzed proteins:
Biological Method - Enzymatic Hydrolysis
This method is commonly used in dog and cat food production and closely mirrors the body’s natural process of protein digestion. Using proteases, natural peptide-digesting enzymes, this process breaks intact proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids. This approach can produce proteins that are well suited for specialized nutritional applications.
Fromm utilizes this biological method in an in-house hydrolysis process, carefully breaking proteins into smaller components to create hydrolyzed proteins for specialized pet food diets, as found in Nutritionals Sensitive Skin & Stomach and Nutritionals Digestive Support Low Fat.
Chemical Method - Acid Hydrolysis
Acid hydrolysis is another method used to create hydrolyzed proteins. Commonly applied to plant-based protein sources, this approach breaks proteins down into smaller components that can contribute digestibility, palatability, and nutritional value in pet food formulations.
Common Uses & Conditions Treated
Hydrolyzed proteins are often incorporated into specialized pet food products and recommended in veterinary medicine to help manage chronic gastrointestinal issues and food allergies in dogs and cats. Their smaller protein components can be beneficial for pets with sensitive or compromised digestive systems.
Because hydrolyzed proteins are broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids, they are commonly used in dietary elimination trials. These trials can help veterinarians and pet owners evaluate whether a pet’s signs are associated with specific dietary proteins or whether other factors may be involved, such as environmental allergens.
Hydrolyzed proteins are commonly incorporated into diets for pets with:
Adverse Food Reactions
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
Chronic Gastroenteritis
Recovery from Gastrointestinal Surgery
Skin Sensitivities
Considerations for Hydrolyzed Protein Diets
Hydrolyzed protein diets play an important role in nutrition and are commonly used in the management of adverse food reactions and other specialized dietary needs. As with any nutritional approach, there are several factors to consider when selecting a hydrolyzed protein diet:
Palatability - The hydrolysis process can influence flavor and aroma characteristics, which may affect acceptance in some pets.
Individual Digestive Response - Pets may respond differently when transitioning to a new diet, and digestive changes can occur as they adjust.
Nutritional Formulation - The nutritional profile of hydrolyzed diets can vary by manufacturer, making ingredient sourcing, formulation expertise, processing, and overall diet quality important considerations.
Dietary Management - While hydrolyzed proteins are commonly used in elimination trials and specialized feeding programs, individual results may vary depending on the pet and the underlying condition being evaluated.
Cost - Additional processing and formulation requirements can make hydrolyzed protein diets more expensive.
Fromm's hydrolyzed protein recipes are formulated with carefully selected proteins that undergo an in-house enzymatic hydrolysis process. Combined with thoughtfully chosen ingredients, these specialized diets are designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for pets with specific dietary needs.
Recommended Pet Foods with Hydrolyzed Proteins
Fromm's in-house hydrolysis process helps us create high-quality, highly digestible proteins for dogs with sensitive stomachs and unique dietary needs. And for our feline friends, stay tuned as we expand our guidance on hydrolyzed protein diets for cats.
Hydrolyzed Diet Foods for Dogs
Questions about Hydrolyzed Proteins for Your Pet?
Our team of nutrition experts can help you learn more about the benefits of hydrolyzed protein and guide you in choosing a diet with the right balance of nutrients for your dog.
Contact Fromm for more information about hydrolyzed proteins in your pet’s diet.
Danielle Opetz is the Doctor of Companion Animal Nutrition at Fromm Family Foods. She earned her Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2023. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology/animal biology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, as well as a master’s degree in animal sciences with an emphasis on companion animal nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
