Common Protein vs Novel Protein in Pet Food

Does your dog scratch after meals, or does your cat ignore dinner completely? The issue might be their common protein source.

Singapore's pet food market loves chicken, beef, fish, and lamb. But when these standard proteins create issues, novel protein alternatives might be exactly what your pet needs.

What is Common Protein in Pet Food?

Walk into any pet shop in Singapore and you'll see shelves lined with chicken dog food, beef dog food, and fish cat food. These traditional proteins have earned their place as mainstream proteins for good reason.

Common protein in pet food typically includes chicken (the undisputed champion), beef, lamb, and fish. These staple protein sources are a popular choice because pets love the taste and research supports their nutritional value.

The catch is, the same protein each day can develop into food sensitivity. Your previously happy furry buddy may show skin irritation, or your cat begins rejecting meals altogether. 

The best way to mitigate this risk is to rotate protein sources in your pet’s diet.

What is Novel Protein in Pet Food?

Novel protein pet food sounds fancy, but the concept is to give your pet something “new” in their diet to lessen food intolerance or allergies. 

There are plenty of protein options like venison, snow crab, and atlantic lobster to name a few. These unique protein sources form the backbone of limited ingredient diets and hypoallergenic dog food.

Novel protein is often recommended for pets with sensitivities, skin issues, or digestive troubles linked to common protein. With a new protein, pet parents can give their dogs and cats a balanced, tasty meal without the discomfort caused by allergens.

These proteins cost more because they're harder to source and process. And finding novel protein pet food in Singapore sometimes means hunting through specialty stores rather than grabbing something off the shelf at your neighbourhood shop. Your pet might need time to adjust to new flavours too.

Why Protein Choice Matters (Common vs Novel)

The protein in your pet's bowl doesn't just fill their belly, it helps with their overall health. Every muscle, every antibody, every shiny hair on their coat depends on the quality and suitability of their protein source.

Pet food allergies are more common than you think. Sometimes, your dog’s constant scratching is not just a habit, it’s genuine discomfort. Recurring ear infections despite frequent trips to the vets can also be linked to food sensitivities. Even stools that never quite firm up? It could be protein intolerance in pets.

Singapore’s humidity is a challenge too. Skin allergy diets are important when you have a pet with sensitivities to manage. The wrong protein can turn a tiny itch into full-blown dermatitis.

No two pets digest proteins the same way. Your pet's individual biology determines whether chicken is their superfood or their kryptonite.

When to Switch from Common to Novel Protein

Your pet can't tell you they're having an allergic reaction, but their body speaks volumes. Switching to novel protein becomes necessary when the red flags in health pile up.

Watch out for: relentless scratching that leaves bald patches, ear infections that return weeks after treatment, or chronic diarrhoea that doesn't respond to probiotics or bland diets.

The subtler signs matter too. A coat that's lost its shine, energy levels that seem perpetually low, or a previously enthusiastic eater who's become picky might all be dealing with protein intolerance.

Before making any dramatic changes, get your vet involved. Elimination diet in pets requires professional guidance because you need to rule out other health issues first. Your vet might suggest a food trial for allergies. It’s an 8-12 week period where your pet eats nothing but a single novel protein and carbohydrate source.

Diet transition for pets should happen gradually over 7-10 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old. Rush the process and you might create digestive upset that has nothing to do with allergies.

When in doubt, always reach out to your vet.

Popular Novel Protein Pet Foods in Singapore

Singapore pets are just as picky as their humans. Just like how we all have our go-to hawker stall, pets have their own preferences too.

More parents are turning to exotic protein diets like venison, rabbit, and even lobster to ease allergies and keep mealtimes fresh. If your pet struggles with food sensitivities, ZIWI Air-dried Venison and ZIWI Rabbit & Lamb are two strong contenders to try. Both are built on grain-free novel protein recipes that reduce the risk of triggering allergies. 

Seafood fans aren’t left out either. Loveabowl’s Herring, Salmon & Lobster recipe brings a grain-free novel protein twist that cats and dogs can enjoy. 

For dogs who can’t quite stomach the usual meats, nurturepro™ Bliss has a gentle, hypoallergenic, and tummy-friendly pork. It’s like bak kut teh without the pepper! Comfort food vibes for your dog in every bowl.

With more choices than ever, finding the best pet food for allergies feels less like a struggle and more like discovering your new favourite hawker stall. It’s satisfying, reliable, and worth coming back to.

Choosing the Right Protein for Your Pet

Best protein for dogs isn't the same as best protein for cats, and what works for your neighbour's spaniel might be terrible for your own pet. The protein needs for pets vary depending on lifestyle, health, and even taste buds. Here’s what to consider:

• Age
  Puppies and kittens need higher protein percentages and benefit from easily digestible sources, while senior pets might need modified protein levels to support aging kidneys. 

• Breed and size
  Your tiny Chihuahua doesn't need the same fuel as your neighbour's massive Husky. Small breeds do well with gentler proteins. Big dogs need substantial nutrition to keep the muscles in top shape.

• Health conditions & allergies
  Pets with touchy stomachs often find relief with novel or hypoallergenic choices. Getting proper protein diet advice from your vet beats random internet suggestions every time.
  

• Vet vs DIY
  Trying new proteins might seem as easy as sampling zi char stalls, but professional guidance beats well-meaning guesswork. Vets can tell which is the right protein match for your pet's needs better than Google ever could.
  

• Balanced nutrition first
  Protein alone won’t cut it. True nutritional balance means pairing the right protein with fats, fibre, and micronutrients.
  

Common vs Novel Protein – Which is Better?

When it comes to common vs novel protein in pet food, neither is universally superior. It's like asking whether chicken rice or laksa is better! The real champion is what keeps your pet healthy and happy.

Common proteins work great for pets without problems. They're affordable, good for nutrition, and you can buy them anywhere from local shops to fancy pet stores. If your pet thrives on chicken or beef, there's no reason to fix what isn't broken.

Novel proteins excel when allergies strike. They break the overexposure patterns that lead to food sensitivities developing.

Variety is key. Rotational feeding brings together common and novel proteins so pets enjoy fewer sensitivities while still getting the best protein source for pets. In any protein diet comparison, balance is the real priority.

At the end of the day, the best choice is what keeps your pet itch-free and zooming around. For sensitive stomachs and picky paws, novel protein recipes and the right pet food recommendations might just save the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is considered a common protein in pet food?
  Chicken, beef, lamb, and fish are the most common proteins in pet food because they are affordable, widely available, and palatable for most pets.

• Why do some pets develop allergies to common proteins?
  Overexposure to the same protein source (like chicken or beef) can trigger immune sensitivities, leading to itchy skin, ear infections, or digestive issues.
  

• What is a novel protein in dog food?
  A novel protein is one your pet hasn’t been exposed to before, such as venison, kangaroo, rabbit, or insect protein.
  

• Is novel protein the same as hypoallergenic?
  Not exactly, but many hypoallergenic diets use novel proteins because pets are less likely to have developed sensitivities to them.
  

• How do I know if my pet needs a novel protein diet?
  If your pet has recurring itchy skin, ear infections, or digestive upset, your vet may suggest switching to a novel protein diet through an elimination trial.
  

• How long should I try a novel protein before seeing results?
  Most elimination diets run for 6–8 weeks to accurately assess whether a new protein resolves your pet’s symptoms.
  

• What are the best novel protein dog foods in Singapore?
  Venison, duck, kangaroo, and insect-based pet foods are popular novel protein choices in Singapore due to their hypoallergenic properties.
  

• Is novel protein dog food more expensive?
  Yes, novel protein diets typically cost more than proteins because the sources are less available and harder to produce at scale.
  

• Can I rotate between common and novel proteins?
  Yes, rotating proteins can help reduce the risk of developing allergies and keep your pet’s diet more nutritionally diverse.