🍗 The Role of Protein in Your Pet’s Diet
Last week, Dara asked, “Mummy, is fish protein or meat?” Before I could answer, Demi shouted, “It’s fish-meat!” And in that glorious moment of sibling-certified nutrition science, Blaze trotted in and snatched the fish from the table. So technically… he won the argument.
That event inspired this post. Because Blaze may not be a dietician, but he knows one thing — protein is gold. But what exactly does it do for our pets? And are they getting enough… or too much?
🧠 Did You Know?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need animal-based protein to survive. Dogs, while technically omnivores, still thrive best with high-quality protein sources.
Protein isn’t just for bulking up. It’s responsible for:
✅ Building muscles
✅ Healing tissues
✅ Supporting the immune system
✅ Making enzymes, hormones, and hair (which explains Stu’s luscious fur)
✅ In other words, no protein = no proper pet life.
💡 What I’ve Learned So Far:
⭐ Puppies, kittens, and pregnant pets need more protein than adults.
⭐ Senior pets need better quality protein because their bodies absorb less.
⭐ Too little = weakness, dull coat, stunted growth.
⭐ Too much (especially in inactive pets) = weight gain or kidney stress.
⭐ Not all protein is equal: chicken breast ≠ cornmeal protein.
🍳 What We’re Practicing:
🔍 Reading food labels! We make sure animal protein is listed first, not rice, corn, or ‘by-products.'
🔍 Mixing it up: sardines, chicken, liver (in moderation), eggs, and cooked beef.
🔍 Homemade meals are built around protein—the carbs and extras come after.
🔍 Twice a week, they get a raw egg stirred into their food (shell crushed in for calcium).
⚠️ What to Take Seriously:
❌ Cats CANNOT be vegetarians. Please, don’t try it.
❌Avoid feeding raw pork or too much liver–it can cause vitamin A toxicity.
❌ Cheap dog food often fills up on carbs and mystery protein—check your labels.
❌ Don’t rely on bones as protein. Great for chewing, terrible for balanced nutrition.
❌ Always introduce new proteins slowly to avoid tummy drama (and smelly consequences).
🛒 Tried and Trusted Products:
❤️ Instinct Raw Boost Mixers – Freeze-Dried Protein Add-In
❤️ Wellness CORE High-Protein Grain-Free Dog Food
❤️ Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Cat Food – High Protein, Clean Ingredients
📺 How It Ended:
We now call sardine day "Blaze Day" in our house. The twins sing a jingle, the cat shows up without being called, and Raya spins in circles till she gets hers. Tolu even asked, “Can I be a dog in my next life?” Because apparently, they’re eating better than he is.
But hey, if you're going to feed them, you might as well feed them right.
📝 Final Thoughts:
✍️ Protein is the cornerstone of your pet’s diet.
✍️ Focus on quality over quantity.
✍️ Observe your pet’s coat, energy, and poop–those are your health report cards.
✍️ Don’t be afraid to switch things up (gradually).
✍️ When in doubt: meat > mystery fillers.
🐾 Coming Up Next: “Chinedu, Your Pets Don’t Need That Much Carbs, Do They?”
Also known as: That time someone fed their dog jollof rice and wondered why the house smelled like regret.
😂 Affiliate Disclosure:
Yes, I might earn a few coins if you click those links. Those coins will help me stop Blaze from becoming a part-time Uber Eats scavenger. Help a mama out. 🙃
✌️ Signing out!
Nene Ajayi,
Your Lagos-based protein promoter, fish-thief chaser, and truth-teller in a house of fur and crumbs.
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