THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING HIGH PROTEIN DOG FOOD

Courtesy BlackHawk | by Dr Ada Siu

When it comes to choosing the right food for your dog, protein is one of the most important nutrients to consider. Dogs rely on protein to build and maintain lean muscle, support immune function, and fuel their energy levels. That’s why feeding a high protein dog food can make a meaningful difference to your dog’s overall wellbeing.

At Black Hawk, we believe in the power of protein – especially when it comes from high-quality animal sources.

Our entire range of dog foods is built around this principle, with the Black Hawk High Meat recipes that are particularly rich in animal proteins and designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs at every life stage. Whether you’re feeding a growing puppy, an active adult, or a senior dog, a protein-rich diet can help support their wellbeing from the inside out.

Why Protein Matters for Dogs

Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of your dog’s body. These amino acids play a vital role in:

• Building and maintaining lean muscles and tissues
• Supporting skin, coat and nails
• Maintaining a strong immune system
• Producing enzymes and hormones crucial for digestion and normal metabolism
• Providing energy, especially for active dogs 

Animal proteins contain all the essential amino acids dogs need and are more bioavailable than plant-based proteins. This means dogs can absorb and utilise these nutrients more efficiently, making animal protein an excellent choice for dogs.

Fresh Meat as a Source of Protein in Black Hawk Foods

At Black Hawk, we use three main types of meat in our dry food products: fresh meats, meat meals, and hydrolysed meats. 

Meat meals are made from clean muscle meats and may include skin and bone. They offer a concentrated source of protein and are naturally rich in essential minerals and beneficial nutrients like glucosamine. They also have a more stable nutrient profile. All of these make them a sustainable and reliable ingredient.

Hydrolysed meats are broken down into peptides and amino acids through enzymatic hydrolysis. This process makes them easier to digest by reducing the workload on the gut, offering superior digestibility for dogs.

Fresh meats, used in select Black Hawk recipes including our Healthy Benefits and High Meat ranges, are skeletal muscles from chicken or lamb.

These meats are minimally processed, only kept chilled to preserve freshness and nutrients before being added to the kibble. Fresh meat is highly palatable, rich in fat and chondroitin, but lower in mineral content.

To incorporate fresh meat into Black Hawk dry food, the chilled meat is finely ground and blended with water to create a smooth meat slurry. The slurry is then mixed with other ingredients such as vegetables, grains, vitamins, and minerals before being cooked and shaped into kibble. This process requires specialised equipment to handle fresh meat safely and efficiently in addition to traditional kibble making process.

In Black Hawk’s High Meat range, this approach allows us to deliver recipes that are rich in animal protein, highly digestible, and full of flavour – without compromising on quality or convenience. Every Black Hawk High Meat recipe features up to 65-70% from Australian Red Meats or Poultry.

Why fed a high protein dog food?

1. Lean Muscle Maintenance

Protein supports the development and maintenance of lean muscle mass, which is essential for strength, mobility, and overall physical health.

2. Source of Energy

Protein is a source of energy for dogs and cats. High protein diets help fuel daily activity while supporting a healthy metabolism.

3. Healthy Skin and Coat

Hair consists of 95% protein, and is rich in sulphur amino acids. Around 10 to 30% of protein consumed is used for hair growth and renewal. Specific amino acids such as tyrosine and phenylalanine are also responsible for melanin synthesis thus maintenance of black coat colours.

4. Provides satiety

Studies in dogs and cats have shown that high protein diets lead to greater satiety, making them more likely to feel fuller for longer after their meal.

5. Enhanced Palatability

Dogs naturally prefer the taste of animal protein. High protein foods made with fresh meat are often more appealing to dogs, which can help with picky eaters or dogs transitioning to a new diet.

6. Support for Growth and Development

Puppies have elevated nutritional needs, particularly for protein and energy. High protein dog food helps support their rapid growth, muscle development, immune system, and healthy metabolism.

Why Choose Black Hawk?

At Black Hawk, we’re committed to crafting dog food that’s not only nutritious but also made with integrity. Our High Meat recipes are developed by pet nutrition experts and vets, and made in Australia using high-quality ingredients, including fresh meat from trusted local sources.