Protein quality is a cornerstone of canine nutrition, reflecting how well a diet or ingredient satisfies indispensable amino acid (IAA) requirements. A 2022 study in the Journal of Animal Science applied digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIAAS-like values) to 30 animal and 27 plant ingredients, generating insights into their nutritional adequacy for dogs.
The researchers compared different regulatory reference patterns, including standards from the National Research Council (NRC), the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF). Results revealed that reference patterns greatly influence DIAAS-like values, with NRC maintenance requirements consistently producing the lowest scores across most ingredients.
While animal proteins generally exhibited higher DIAAS-like values compared to plant-based sources, the findings also highlighted variability within categories. Importantly, differences in regulatory frameworks underscore the lack of harmonization in pet food nutrient recommendations worldwide.
The study suggests that although NRC minimal requirements remain a robust scientific standard, incorporating practical recommendations from AAFCO and FEDIAF is essential for aligning with real-world feeding practices. This approach advances precision in diet formulation and informs ingredient selection in both conventional and alternative protein-based dog foods.
Source: Templeman, J., & Shoveller, A. (2022). Digestible indispensable amino acid scores of animal and plant ingredients potentially used in dog diet formulation: how this protein quality metric is affected by ingredient characteristics and reference amino acid profile. Journal of Animal Science, 100. Published August 27, 2022.
