What is Novel Protein Dog Food?

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If your pup suffers itchy skin, chronic ear infections, or persistent digestive issues, their diet may be to blame. Switching to a new food could solve these issues. However, that can be tricky, especially for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. Before you embark on the hunt for a new diet, you may want to ask your veterinarian if novel protein dog food could help provide relief.

Novel protein dog food is a diet made with uncommon protein sources your dog likely hasn’t eaten before. You can find these diets in both over-the-counter and prescription formulas. And many vets and pet parents have embraced novel protein as a useful tool in diagnosing and managing food allergies and sensitivities. 

But what exactly is novel protein dog food, and is it right for your pup? Let’s explore how novel protein diets work, when vets recommend them, and some top brands to consider.

What is Novel Protein Dog Food?

The term “novel protein” means a meat or animal protein your dog has not eaten before. Since your dog’s immune system hasn’t been exposed to it, there’s less chance it will trigger an allergic reaction. 

Common proteins like chicken, beef, and lamb are found in many dog foods, making them more likely to cause problems in sensitive pets.

Novel protein dog food replaces these common ingredients with unique options like:

• Alligator
• Rabbit
• Kangaroo
• Venison
• Bison
• Duck
• Ostrich

Among these, rabbit and venison tend to be the most common due to their availability, affordability, and digestibility. 

How is Novel Protein Dog Food Different From Other Diets?

Here’s how novel dog food stacks up against other types of diets:

• Traditional dog food: These are the most common commercially produced wet and dry dog foods. They are usually made with familiar proteins like chicken, beef, or turkey.
• Limited ingredient diets (LID): Designed to reduce the number of ingredients, these diets may still use common proteins.
• Single protein diets: These contain only one animal protein source, which helps reduce the risk of triggering allergies. However, the protein may not be novel.
• Hydrolyzed protein diets: Using a specialized process called hydrolysis, these diets contain proteins broken into tiny pieces (so small that the immune system doesn’t react). Hydrolyzed diets are often effective for dogs with severe allergies or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Why Vets Might Recommend a Novel Protein Diet for Dogs

Veterinarians often recommend novel protein diets for dogs with suspected food allergies or intolerances. Symptoms of food allergies can include:

• Itchy or irritated skin (also called food allergy dermatitis in dogs)
• Frequent ear infections
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Chronic licking or chewing at paws

However, these symptoms are also common to environmental allergies. So your vet might recommend an elimination diet using a novel protein dog food for allergies to pinpoint the cause.

In an elimination diet trial, dogs only eat specific, controlled foods to identify allergens. While hydrolyzed protein diets are a common choice for elimination trials, novel protein diets may be a more affordable option to try first.  

Pros and Cons of Novel Protein Dog Food

Like any special diet, novel protein dog food comes with benefits and limitations.

Benefits

• Helps manage food allergies for dogs
• May help reduce gastrointestinal distress in sensitive dogs
• Supports better stool quality
• Often made with high-quality, easily digestible ingredients
• Available with and without a veterinary prescription
• Can be more affordable than hydrolyzed veterinary formulas

Things to Consider

• Typically more expensive than regular dog food
• Limited flavor and texture options
• May not be as effective as hydrolyzed protein diets in severe cases
• Some protein sources (like kangaroo) may be hard to find
• High-quality novel protein diets often require a veterinary prescription

Switching to a Novel Protein Dog Food

If you’re considering switching your dog’s diet to a novel protein dog food, follow these tips

1. Talk to your vet first. Discuss your dog’s symptoms, diet history, and whether a novel protein diet would be a good fit for your dog. Your vet can recommend brands or particular formulas based on your dog’s health history and unique needs. For example, if your dog has known digestive issues or pancreatitis, your vet may recommend a low fat novel protein dog food, like BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet Novel Protein Alligator Dog Food.
2. Ask if you’ll need a prescription to purchase the diet. Some novel protein dog foods require a vet’s approval, while you can buy others over the counter. In many cases, you can buy both directly from your veterinarian for added convenience.
3. Transition slowly. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with the old. Then, gradually increase the new food (and decrease the old food) over 7 to 10 days. This helps prevent stomach upset.
4. Avoid treats with common proteins. During and after the transition, steer clear of treats that contain common allergens, like chicken or beef. Otherwise, you could undo the positive effects of the novel protein diet. 
5. Be patient. It can take 8–12 weeks to see improvement in your dog’s skin and digestion. And switching too soon to another protein source could make it harder to control dietary sensitivities later. 
6. Consult with your vet on a long-term plan. While it may be tempting to switch back to a standard diet when your dog’s symptoms clear up, always check with your vet first. Some dogs only need a temporary switch, while others may need to stay on a novel protein or allergy diet for dogs long term.

Novel Protein Dog Food Brands to Consider

Depending on your dog’s needs, here are some top-quality, veterinary-recommended novel protein diets to consider:

Royal Canin Selected Protein

This dry dog food is made with rabbit as its novel protein source, paired with potato as a highly digestible carbohydrate. The formula is designed to support dogs with food sensitivities, skin allergies, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). What makes Royal Canin PR especially appealing is its balanced blend of nutrients, including EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) to help reduce skin inflammation, plus a blend of prebiotics and fiber to promote healthy digestion. The dry kibble is also palatable and easy to transition to, even for picky eaters.

• Features nutritious rabbit as the novel animal protein
• Contains added omega-3s and prebiotics to promote healthy skin and digestion
• Also available in wet formulas that feature venison and duck as the novel proteins
• Great for dogs with food allergy dermatitis or IBD
• Does not require a prescription from your vet

Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d

Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d wet and dry dog food formulas offer pet parents a wide variety of novel protein sources to choose from, including venison, duck, and salmon. Both the dry kibble and wet food options are made without common allergens such as chicken, beef, soy, and dairy, helping reduce the risk of allergic flare-ups. The formulas are also enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support healthy skin and help reduce inflammation caused by allergic reactions. Hill’s d/d recipes contain a precise balance of essential nutrients and are highly digestible, making them a good choice for dogs with skin allergies, chronic ear infections, or sensitive stomachs. Whether you choose the dry or wet version, Hill’s d/d offers a complete and balanced diet that is vet-recommended and trusted to support dogs with diet-related allergies and IBD.

• Novel protein sources include venison, duck, and salmon
• Supports dogs with food allergies, skin sensitivities, and digestive issues
• Enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
• Highly digestible to promote gentle, effective nutrient absorption
• Available in both wet and dry formulas for variety and preference
• Veterinarian-recommended for food allergy management and IBD support
• Requires a prescription from your vet

BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet NP

This limited-ingredient prescription diet features alligator as the single animal protein source. It stands out among novel protein diets because alligator is truly a unique protein rarely found in traditional dog food. Vets often recommend alligator dog food for dogs with severe food allergies and sensitivities. Vets may also prescribe this formula for skin allergies or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  

Available in both wet and dry options, Blue Buffalo NP Alligator supports dogs with food allergy dermatitis and digestive issues by using easily digestible ingredients and no chicken, beef, dairy, eggs, corn, wheat, or soy. The dry formula provides crunchy kibble for dental health and ease of feeding, while the wet food offers a palatable, soft texture that’s great for picky eaters or dogs needing extra hydration. With Blue Buffalo dog food for dogs with allergies, pet parents get a vet-trusted solution that’s nutritious, novel, and tailored for sensitive pups.

• Uses alligator as a novel protein
• Ideal for dogs with severe food allergies
• Available in dry and canned forms
• Limited ingredients with added vitamins and minerals
• Prescription required

FAQs About Novel Protein Dog Food

Here are answers to questions pet parents commonly ask about novel protein dog foods.

What is a novel protein for dogs?

A novel protein is a meat or animal protein your dog hasn’t eaten before, such as rabbit, kangaroo, or alligator. These proteins provide an alternative to common allergens, like chicken and beef, that can trigger food allergies or sensitivities.

What protein is best for dogs with allergies?

Vets often recommend rabbit, venison, and alligator as novel proteins. That’s because they’re less commonly used in regular dog foods and may be easier for dogs with food allergies to tolerate.

What meat are dogs least allergic to?

Dogs are least likely to be allergic to proteins they have never eaten before, which varies by individual. However, rabbit, kangaroo, bison, and venison are commonly well-tolerated options.

Are there any side effects of novel protein dog food?

Fortunately, there is very little risk when feeding your pup a novel protein dog food. Side effects are incredibly rare and, if they do occur, typically stem from transitioning too quickly. This may prompt symptoms of digestive upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea.

If your dog experiences vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite that lasts more than a few days, always contact your vet for guidance.

Novel protein dog food can be a helpful way to manage allergies, skin issues, and digestive upset in dogs. Whether you choose Blue Buffalo alligator dog food, Royal Canin Selected Protein, or another unique protein dog food, always work with your veterinarian to find the right fit for your pup’s needs. With the right approach and a little patience, your dog can start feeling better and living more comfortably.