Amino Acids for Dogs: What Every Pet Parent Should Know

To get all the proper nutrition your dog needs to stay happy and healthy, it’s important that your pooch eats a balanced diet made up of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. All these nutrients are essential, but protein plays a particularly significant role in your dog’s health.

When digested, protein breaks down into amino acids, and amino acids are what help your furry best friend thrive. Let’s dive into the world of amino acids for dogs and learn why these tiny building blocks are crucial for your pup’s wellbeing!

What are Amino Acids?

Your dog’s hair, skin, eyes, muscles and organs are all made from protein. As perfect as your pooch is, their bodies can’t produce protein without some help. Instead, protein is built in a kind of assembly line that has about 20 crucial steps, each of which depends on the availability of a specific molecule called an amino acid.

Your dog’s body makes half of these amino acids itself. But there are ten that need to be provided daily with the food they eat. These are called the 10 “Essential Amino Acids,” because if any of them go missing, the whole protein assembly line is limited.

The 10 essential amino acids for dogs include:

• Arginine: Removes ammonia and supports the immune system.
• Histidine: Produces histamine for immunity and digestion.
• Isoleucine: Helps with energy and muscle repair.
• Leucine: Aids in protein synthesis and muscle health.
• Lysine: Supports calcium absorption and collagen formation.
• Methionine: Promotes liver health and detoxification.
• Phenylalanine: Precursor to mood-regulating neurotransmitters.
• Threonine: Maintains protein balance and healthy skin.
• Tryptophan: Produces serotonin for mood and sleep.
• Valine: Supports muscle metabolism and repair.

Unlike carbohydrates or fats, your dog’s body can’t store these 10 amino acids for later use, which is why it’s important for all the essential amino acids to be incorporated into your dog’s diet every day. Just like a machine, when even just one essential part is missing, the entire process does not work as efficiently.

What Do Amino Acids Do?

Whether you have a big dog, a little dog, a senior, or a puppy – essential amino acids are the unsung heroes of your dog’s diet. When your pup eats, their body breaks down the protein in their food into amino acids. These molecules then get to work, supporting various vital functions:

• Building and Repairing Tissues: Amino acids help in repairing muscles, skin, and other tissues, ensuring your dog stays strong and resilient.
• Transporting Nutrients: Amino acids in dogs play a key role in moving nutrients through your dog’s body.
• Maintaining Healthy Skin and Coat: A shiny coat and healthy skin are signs of good nutrition, and amino acids are a big part of that.
• Carrying Oxygen: Amino acids help in the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the cells.
• Supporting Muscle Activity: These molecules are crucial for muscle contraction and overall mobility.
• Boosting the Immune System: A well-functioning immune system is crucial for your dog to fend off illnesses and amino acids help support your dog’s overall health.

As you can see, amino acids for dogs are like hidden gears that keep everything running smoothly.

Amino Acids Are at the Heart of the Bil-Jac Dog Food

At Bil-Jac, we know that the right balance of amino acids is essential for your dog’s health. Using fresh chicken as the primary ingredient in our recipes ensures that your dog gets a well-balanced amount of protein that breaks down into these vital essential amino acids. From there, our slow-cooked, small-batch process helps retain these nutrients, so your pup gets the maximum benefit from every meal.

More Ways to Keep Your Best Friend Happy and Healthy

By providing a diet rich in essential amino acids for dogs, we help ensure that your furry friend can live their best life. After all, a well-nourished dog is a happy dog.

Want to learn more about how you can help your pooch live a healthy lifestyle? Join our Best Friends Club today. Each month, you’ll receive special training tips, informative articles, and members-only discounts on Bil-Jac products, so your dog stays happy and healthy.

Join the Best Friends Club!