Navigating the world of dog food can be overwhelming with the variety of brands, ingredients, and preparation methods available. One common ingredient that often raises questions is soy. What role does soy play in dog food?
Soy: More Than Just a Filler
Contrary to popular belief, soy is not just a cheap filler with low nutritional value. Dr. George Fahey, Jr., an expert in Animal Sciences and Nutritional Sciences, explains that soy actually offers significant nutritional benefits. “In dog foods, we use three soy products: soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, and soy protein isolate, along with soybean oil,” says Dr. Fahey. While soybean meal is more affordable, soy protein concentrate and soy protein isolate are more refined and pricier, hence used sparingly in pet foods.
“Soy is valuable for its protein content, with soybean meal containing 44-48% crude protein. The other soy products have even more protein content,” he elaborates. Thus, dismissing soy as an inferior protein source compared to animal proteins is inaccurate.
Is Soy Easily Digestible for Dogs?
Concerns about soy causing digestion issues in dogs, such as gastric dilation volvulus or bloat, are unfounded according to Dr. Fahey. Soy is well-digested by dogs, with amino acids in soybean meal being as effectively digested as high-quality animal proteins.
However, soybean meal may lead to flatulence due to certain compounds like galactooligosaccharides. To mitigate this, Dr. Fahey recommends limiting soybean meal to no more than 10% of a dog’s diet and suggests incorporating soy protein concentrate and soy protein isolate instead for higher dietary concentrations.
It’s advisable to avoid soybean meal in dogs with severe digestive issues, but other soy products should pose no problems.
Can Dogs Develop Allergies to Soy?
Dogs can safely consume soy unless they have a diagnosed soy allergy or are consuming excessive amounts. While dogs can develop allergies to any food source, soy is not a guaranteed trigger for allergic reactions. In fact, hydrolyzed soy diets are prescribed by veterinarians to manage allergies, where the proteins are broken down into smaller pieces to prevent immune system reactions.
Although soy allergies are more prevalent due to widespread use, ingredients like beef, chicken, and lamb are typically more common allergens than soy.
Is Soy Linked to DCM in Dogs?
The FDA is investigating a potential connection between certain grain-free diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), with legumes being a specific concern. However, there is no evidence linking high-fat legumes like soy to canine heart disease, according to the FDA.
Soy-Based Diets for Managing Health Conditions
Moderate soy consumption in dog food should not cause health issues, but it can be beneficial in managing certain conditions. Soy-based diets are often recommended for dogs recovering from bladder stone removal surgery due to lower purine levels in plant proteins like soy, which help prevent stone recurrence.
Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist Dr. Megan Shepherd notes, “A vegetarian (e.g. soy-based) diet can be beneficial for patients with purine uroliths as vegetarian diets promote a neutral urine pH that aids in dissolving purine stones.”
Soy is also commonly included in diets for dogs with advanced liver disease as it is gentler on the liver compared to animal proteins.
Should You Include Soy in Your Dog’s Diet?
The decision to incorporate soy into your dog’s diet is individual and depends on various factors. Dr. Fahey emphasizes that dogs need nutrients, not specific ingredients, and these nutrients can be sourced from a variety of ingredients.
When selecting dog food, focus on overall nutrient levels, including protein, carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, fiber, and fatty acids. Look for reputable brands with a nutritional adequacy statement meeting AAFCO standards. If you’re unsure, consulting a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist can guide you in providing the best nutrition for your dog.
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