What is DL-Methionine in Dog Food?

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Is your dog’s food making them healthy and happy?

Or is it harming their health?

One of the biggest causes of concern for pet parents is the artificial supplements, fillers, and other ingredients added to commercial dog food.

Read on as we dig into what DL-Methionine is, why it’s used in dog food, whether it’s good or bad for dogs, and some dog food brands that contain this ingredient.

What is DL-Methionine?

Methionine is an essential amino acid that dogs can’t produce on their own1.

Therefore, they must get it through their diet.

It is a naturally occurring chemical found in many foods, especially meat and dairy products2.

Methionine has a sulfur group that helps prevent urine from producing a strong odor and supports normal liver function, among other things.

DL-Methionine contains both the left-handed and right-handed isomers, or forms of methionine, called d-methionine and l-methionine3.

What is dl methionine in dog food essential amino acid isomer

Why Is DL-Methionine in Dog Food?

DL-Methionine is in dog food because it is an essential amino acid that dogs must get from their diet to be healthy.

They need this along with other amino acids including arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

It has many roles as part of a balanced diet, including helping the liver detoxify, promoting a healthy coat, and producing proteins.

Is DL-Methionine Good for Dogs?

Yes!

DL-Methionine is needed for proper growth and development of bones, teeth, skin, and hair as well as immune system health.

It also supports a healthy liver and helps reduce bad breath.

Is DL-Methionine Bad for Dogs?

No, DL-methionine is not bad for dogs.

It is a synthetic form of methionine, an essential amino acid that dogs need for many functions in the body.

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It is often used as a nutritional supplement in dog food for its antioxidant properties, and it can help to treat urinary tract infections.

However, too much methionine can cause high levels of cystine, which can lead to bladder stones4.

Should dogs eat dl methionine protein safety supplement ingredient

DL-Methionine Sources in Dog Food

There are both natural and synthetic sources of methionine in dog food.

Natural sources include meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and certain vegetables.

Synthetic sources include DL-methionine, which is made from methanol and sulfuric acid.

It is a common ingredient in dog food and helps to improve the overall quality of the diet.

How Much Methionine Does Your Dog Need?

According to the National Research Council’s Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (NRC)5, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for methionine in adult dogs is 0.14 grams per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day (g/kg/day).

This translates to approximately 0.064 grams per pound (g/lb.) of body weight daily.

Dog Foods with DL-Methionine

There are many commercial dog foods on the market that contain DL-methionine.

Here are a few brands to look for:

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food

This food contains DL-methionine to help support a healthy liver and reduce bad breath.

It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

The food is made with natural ingredients, including real chicken and rice.

Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food

This food is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The DL-methionine content helps support a healthy liver and urinary tract.

It is made with real meat and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

This food is grain-free and contains no corn, wheat, or soy.

It has DL-methionine to help support a healthy coat, skin, and immune system.

The food is made with real meat and vegetables.

It is also rich in antioxidants for overall health.

Dog Foods without DL-Methionine

Some commercial dog foods do not contain DL-methionine.

Here are a few brands to look for:

Acana Regionals Grasslands Dry Dog Food

This food is made with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and ranch-raised beef.

It is grain-free and contains no corn, wheat, or soy.

The food is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. 

Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food

This food is made with premium ingredients, including real chicken, lamb, and salmon.

It is free of grains, gluten, and potatoes and is rich in antioxidants for overall health. 

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dry Dog Food

This brand’s food is made with real meat, fish, and fowl.

With no grains, it is rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.

It also contains probiotics and dried fruits and vegetables for a healthy digestive system.

Click here to learn more about Taste of the Wild!

Final Thoughts

DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that can be found in many dog foods.

Many companies have begun adding supplements to their food, so you should know what these supplements are, where they come from, and whether you should be feeding them to your dog.

DL-Methionine has many benefits for dogs, including helping them to maintain healthy fur and skin.

Foods like egg whites, fish, meat, milk, nuts, and legumes are good sources of DL-methionine.

If you are unsure if your dog food contains DL-methionine, you can check the label or contact the company directly.

When it comes to your dog’s health, you should always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to their diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few other common questions people ask.

What Does Dl-Methionine Do?

DL-Methionine is a form of the essential amino acid methionine.

It is used as a nutritional supplement and helps to improve the overall quality of the diet.

What Is DL-Methionine Made of?

DL-Methionine is made from methanol and sulfuric acid.

First, the methanol is converted to methyl mercaptan.

Next, the methyl mercaptan is converted to methionine sulfone.

Finally, the methionine sulfone is converted to DL-methionine.

DL-Methionine in Dog Food Side Effects?

If your dog is prone to bladder stones, you may want to limit their consumption of DL-methionine and generally restrict their protein consumption.

This is because methionine is a precursor to cystine, which is indicated in the production of bladder stones.

Resources

  1. https://jasbsci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40104-022-00827-8
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/methionine
  3. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/dl-methionine
  4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvim.14559
  5. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10668/nutrient-requirements-of-dogs-and-cats

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