VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
ROTATE THOSE PROTEINS!!!
Achieving nutritional balance for our dogs and cats is a hot topic in social media circles. There are so many opinions and diverse ways to feed our pets that it can become confusing and, at times, overwhelming. We strongly believe that nutritional balance can be achieved over time. There is no real need to strive for nutritional balance every single day. I mean really. Do we as humans strive to achieve nutritional balance daily? Do wild canines achieve nutritional balance daily? Of course not.
“Do not sweat the small stuff. Look at your pet’s menu plan over a 3- or 4-week period.”
Including a minimum of 3 different proteins is an important part of your pet’s menu plan. There are some obvious and some not so obvious reasons for this. Let us look at why protein rotation is so important.
VITAMINS, MINERALS AND NUTRITIONAL BALANCE
Feeding the same protein and mixture every single day may be preventing your pet from getting all the nutrients they need. Mixing up the proteins provides a wider array of the right vitamins and minerals to meet their nutritional needs.
Consider the three more popular proteins of chicken, turkey, and beef:
Not all protein is created equal. Every protein contains various levels of amino acids. Your pet cannot produce all the amino acids they need on their own, so they need to get some from their food. All amino acids work together to provide the protein your pet needs to use, build, and restore their muscle. To providing all amino acids your pet needs, it is best to offer variety of different meats to maintain their overall health.
The bottom line is if you are feeding only one or two types of proteins over an extended period of time, your pet could be missing some extremely important vitamins and/or minerals that support a long and healthy life.
PREVENTING SENSITIVITIES
Research has shown that prolonged feeding of the same food for lengthy periods of time can cause sensitivity reactions manifesting in a variety of symptoms including itchy skin, hot spots, upset stomach and more. There have been cases where a dog that has been fed chicken its entire life suddenly develops a sensitivity to it.
Alternating proteins instead of feeding the same food day in and day out reduces the chance of an intolerance developing and creating some nasty health issues with your cat and/or dog.
GUT HEALTH & MICROBIOME SUPPORT
A healthy gut is the foundation of your pet’s overall well-being. Different proteins carry different enzymes and nutrients that help feed beneficial gut bacteria. By rotating proteins, you promote a more diverse gut microbiome—leading to better digestion, stronger immune defenses, and more efficient nutrient absorption. Pets that only eat one protein may struggle to adapt when dietary changes are eventually needed.
NOT ALL ANIMAL FAT IS THE SAME
Raw fat is an extremely critical component to a cat (obligate carnivore) and dog (facultative carnivore).
It is a good idea to rotate ruminant (beef or lamb) and poultry meats to balance the saturated and polyunsaturated fats. Most domesticated ruminant meats contain too much saturated fat (SFA) and not enough polyunsaturated fat (PUFA).
On the other hand, even lean chicken parts (necks with all the skin and fat removed) have a lot of polyunsaturated fats. Rotating ruminants and poultry provide a much better foundation to balance the fats in your dog’s and cat’s diet. This balance supports not only energy levels but also skin and coat health—healthy fats mean shinier fur, reduced shedding, and less itchy, flaky skin.
STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM
Nutritional diversity is a natural immune booster. Each protein source contains unique vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that collectively help the body respond to stressors like allergies, pollution, or pathogens. A dog or cat that eats a rotation of meats is better prepared to fight off illness and bounce back quickly from everyday challenges.
MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT & ENERGY LEVELS
Proteins are the building blocks of muscle and energy metabolism. Red meats provide elevated levels of iron and taurine to fuel stamina and cardiovascular health, while poultry supports recovery and lean muscle development. By rotating these sources, you give your pet the complete amino acid profile they need to stay strong, active, and full of life.
BOREDOM AND PICKY EATERS
Just like you would get tired of eating the same thing again every single day, so will our pets. Protein rotation adds variety to your dog’s and cat’s food and keeps them from getting bored with the same old food. Switching up the food will keep your pet interested in their bowl and make them less fussy.
Cats can be extremely fussy due to their addictive personality and their refusal to accept change. Try mixing new proteins into a protein you know they like.
Most dogs will eat whatever is in their bowl. Day after day! Forever! Changing proteins will ensure you do not experience the “I refuse to eat the same old thing” look. Some can be fussy and need variety in their bowl.
LONGEVITY & DISEASE PREVENTION
A varied diet is one of the simplest ways to support long-term health. By preventing nutrient deficiencies, reducing the risk of sensitivities, and supporting the immune system, rotation may help lower the risk of chronic issues such as skin conditions, inflammatory bowel disease, or metabolic problems. Over time, this variety helps create the foundation for a longer, healthier life.
DENTAL & JAW STRENGTH
When protein rotation includes whole-prey items or raw meaty bones, it naturally challenges your pet’s jaw muscles and helps keep teeth clean. Different textures encourage chewing, scraping, and crunching—nature’s way of flossing and brushing!
WHAT IF YOUR DOG/CAT IS UNABLE TO EAT VARIETY OF PROTEINS?
We have many customers whose pet is stuck on a single protein or blend. This could be for many reasons: protein intolerance or sensitivity, pickiness and sometimes price comes into the equation. In these situations, it is important to consider including a good canine or feline multi-vitamin supplement in the menu plan. Most are powders that can be mixed right into the food and have no distinct scent that will make the bowl “unpalatable.” Using a good multi-vitamin nutrient can provide you with the “sleep at night” peace of mind knowing your fur friend is getting everything they need.
Here are our recommendations:
SHOULD I BE SUPPLEMENTING WITH SEA KELP?
Most of the complete dinners we offer at Back To The Bone already has the right amount of kelp mixed in. Sea Kelp will help provide trace minerals (amongst other things) that is now missing in most of our traditionally farmed livestock. If you are only feeding pure proteins or blends, then it is a good idea to supplement with kelp. If you are feeding mainly “dinners,” most already have kelp included. You do not want to overdo kelp in your pet’s diet. Too much kelp can put too much iodine into your pet which can cause, over the long term, thyroid gland issues.
HOW DO I INTRODUCE NEW PROTEINS TO MY DOG OR CAT?
Most dogs and cats that are good eaters (not fussy) and healthy can move directly onto a new protein. For fussy eaters or the sensitive tummy types, you might want to try introducing a new protein in small portions mixed in with a protein you know they are good with. Over a few meals, you can increase the new protein to the point it is 100% of what they are eating.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SWITCH PROTEINS?
Some raw feeders switch every three or four days. Some weekly. It all comes down to your pet and your lifestyle of feeding. There is no one right way or wrong way. The key is to get a minimum of 3 different proteins into the menu plan over a 3- or 4-week period.
A FINAL THOUGHT – USING RAW MEATY BONES
Including a wholesome Raw Meaty Bone into the menu plan is icing on the cake. There are so many great benefits. Dogs and cats love to chew and crunch; it is a workout and is a wonderful way to keep things interesting.
Once or twice a week. That is all they really need.
To learn more about Raw Meaty Bones, you can check it out HERE.
NEVER FORGET
THE PROOF IS IN THE POOP!