Hydrolyzed poultry proteins

Why this ingredient is used

Hydrolyzed poultry proteins are chicken or turkey proteins that have been enzymatically broken down into peptide fragments smaller than 10 kilodaltons. At this size, the immune system cannot recognise them as allergens. This is the science behind hypoallergenic veterinary diets (Royal Canin Hypoallergenic, Hill's z/d, Purina HA): the protein is still chicken, but the dog's body cannot tell. Hydrolysis also increases digestibility to near 100 percent, which is useful for dogs with severe gastrointestinal disease. The trade-off is taste: hydrolyzed proteins are bitter, and palatability enhancers must be added back.