The Number on the Label Isn't the Whole Story
When comparing pet foods, most owners look at the protein percentage first. A bag that says 40% protein sounds better than one that says 28%, right? Not necessarily. The percentage tells you how much protein is present. It tells you nothing about where that protein comes from — or whether your pet can actually use it.
Protein source is the detail that actually matters.
Not All Protein Is Created Equal
Protein quality is measured by something called biological value — the proportion of absorbed protein that the body can actually retain and use. Animal proteins have a high biological value for both cats and dogs. Plant proteins do not.
Here's the problem: many pet food manufacturers boost their protein percentages using plant-based protein sources like pea protein, soy, or corn gluten. These inflate the number on the label without delivering the same nutritional benefit as a quality animal protein.
A food with 28% protein from high-quality single-source chicken may deliver significantly more usable nutrition than a food with 40% protein partly derived from legumes and plant concentrates.
The Amino Acid Profile Is What Really Counts
Proteins are made of amino acids — and different protein sources provide different amino acid profiles. Cats and dogs require specific essential amino acids that their bodies cannot synthesise on their own. These must come from food.
Animal proteins naturally provide a complete amino acid profile. Plant proteins don't — they're typically deficient in one or more essential amino acids, which is why manufacturers who rely on them often need to add synthetic supplements to compensate.
When you feed a high-quality animal protein, you're getting those amino acids in their natural, bioavailable form — not synthesised and added back in after the fact.
Digestibility: How Much Actually Gets Absorbed?
Even if a protein has good amino acid content, it needs to be digestible to be useful. Digestibility refers to how much of the protein your pet's body can actually break down and absorb.
High-quality animal proteins are highly digestible for cats and dogs. Plant proteins are significantly less so. A food with lower overall protein but high digestibility can outperform a higher-protein food that passes through your pet's system largely unused.
This is also why pets on lower-quality, high-plant-protein diets often produce more waste — their bodies are passing what they can't absorb.
What to Look for on a Pet Food Label
When evaluating a pet food, look beyond the percentage:
- Is the first ingredient a named animal protein? (e.g., chicken, salmon, duck — not "meat meal" or "animal derivatives")
- Is there only one protein source? Monoprotein recipes are the clearest indicator of quality and transparency.
- Are plant proteins listed? Pea protein, soy protein concentrate, and corn gluten are common fillers used to inflate protein numbers.
- Are synthetic amino acids added? This may indicate the base protein sources are insufficient on their own.
The Nobili Nutrition Approach
Every recipe in the FELIS Nobili and CANIS Nobili ranges starts with a single, named animal protein. No plant proteins. No fillers inflating the numbers. No synthetic amino acids masking nutritional shortfalls.
What you see on the label is what's in the food — and it's animal protein your pet's body is built to use.