Dog food with novel protein — what it means and when it helps
A novel protein simply means a meat source your dog has not eaten before — think venison, duck or kangaroo rather than the chicken and beef in most everyday food. It is mostly used for dogs who may have a sensitivity to a common protein, usually as part of an elimination process a vet has suggested, rather than something every dog needs.
What 'novel' actually means
A protein only counts as novel for a dog who has not eaten it before, which means the same ingredient can be novel for one dog and completely routine for another. Duck, for instance, is a common recipe on the shelf these days and is not remotely novel for a dog who has eaten it for years.
That is why a dog's own feeding history matters more than following a general list of 'exotic' proteins. If you are not sure what your dog has already had — including treats, chews and anything from another household — that history is worth working out before choosing a novel-protein food, since it is the whole point of the exercise.
Why owners choose it
The main reason is a suspected sensitivity or intolerance to a common protein such as chicken or beef, where a vet has suggested an elimination diet to work out what is behind itching, ear problems or loose stools. A single, unfamiliar protein source removes one variable at a time, which is the logic behind the whole approach.
Some owners choose a novel-protein food simply for variety, or because their dog seems to prefer it, and that is a reasonable enough reason on its own. The distinction matters mainly for how strictly you need to stick to it — a genuine elimination trial needs a consistency that a simple change of taste does not.
Reading the label
Check the ingredients list for a single named protein source rather than a recipe that mixes several meats, since a proper novel-protein diet depends on ruling everything else out. Watch for the same protein turning up again lower down the list under a different name, or hidden in the flavouring.
If you are doing this as part of a genuine elimination trial for a suspected food allergy, that is a process worth running with your vet's guidance rather than working out from a pack alone — they can confirm how strictly it needs to be followed, and for how long, before you draw any conclusion.
With it, and in stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Adult Dog Turkey Veg
Complete dry food for adult dogs with turkey, chicken and salmon oil, 21% protein
From£3.39
Common questions
- What counts as a novel protein for my dog?
- Anything your dog genuinely has not eaten before, which depends entirely on their own history rather than a fixed list. Duck, venison and kangaroo are common examples on a UK shelf, but any of them could already be routine for a dog who has had them regularly, so check what your dog has actually eaten first.
- Will a novel protein food fix my dog's itching or upset stomach?
- It might, if a specific protein really is the cause, but that is something a vet-led elimination trial establishes rather than something a food label can promise on its own. Persistent itching, ear problems or digestive upset are worth a vet visit regardless of what you feed next.
- How long before I will know if a novel protein diet is working?
- This varies by dog and by what is being investigated, which is exactly why a trial like this is usually planned alongside a vet rather than timed by guesswork. They can tell you what to watch for and how long a fair trial needs to run for your particular dog.
- Can I mix a novel protein food with treats or a different food?
- Not if you are running a genuine elimination trial, because any other protein source, including treats, chews and scraps, undoes the point of removing variables. If you are feeding it for variety rather than diagnosis, mixing matters far less, but check with your vet if you are unsure which situation applies to you.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.