Last Updated: 13/10/2026
Novel Protein Diets
Vet-guide to novel protein diets for dogs and cats: what makes a protein 'novel', the benefits, and how to choose the right option for your pet.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Gone are the days of putting any old leftovers in your pet's bowl for dinner. Modern pet parents are more educated on nutrition and increasingly seek out food with perceived health benefits - grain-free, natural, novel protein. Novel or unique protein diets have grown in popularity, and for good reason: our vets have outlined what makes a protein novel, the recognised benefits, and some diet recommendations to try. If you're after species-specific buying advice, see our guides to choosing the right food for your dog or choosing the right food for your cat.
Key points
- A novel protein is a protein your pet hasn't eaten before, like venison, duck or kangaroo
- They're most useful as a hypoallergenic option for pets with food allergies or sensitivities
- Most novel protein diets are available over the counter, but always check the full ingredients list first to ensure that it is truly novel.
What is a novel protein?
A novel protein is a protein source your pet has never been fed before - counting everything they've been exposed to since they were weaned as a puppy or kitten. Many common commercial diets use chicken, pork or beef as the main protein because they're widely available and cost-effective. Novel protein options are now widely available across dry, wet, freeze-dried and air-dried formulas, with venison, fish, duck and kangaroo the most common choices, and more exotic options like insect, goat and even possum appearing too.
What are the benefits of feeding novel proteins?
Allergies and digestive issues are some of the most common chronic conditions affecting our pets. Food allergies are responsible for approximately 10% of allergy cases in dogs, ranked third after flea allergy and atopic dermatitis. A food allergy happens when the immune system reacts to a particular ingredient - most commonly a protein like chicken, beef, soy or dairy - with the reaction showing up as itchy skin, ear infections, vomiting or diarrhoea. Most pets develop these allergies gradually, over months or years of eating the same food, which is why a long-term favourite can suddenly start causing problems.
A novel protein diet can be a good hypoallergenic option for pets with allergies or sensitivities, and as an option in an elimination trial to diagnose potential food allergies. Choosing the right one may take some trial and error since different pets react differently. One animal's allergy trigger, say beef, may in fact be another animal's hypoallergenic diet.
Read more in food allergies in dogs, food allergies in cats, or browse our cat food for health conditions and dog food for health conditions guides for diets matched to other health issues.
What are the novel protein options?
When choosing a novel protein diet for allergy reasons, always check the full ingredients list - some "novel protein" foods (like a kangaroo recipe) still include chicken or poultry by-products, which could still trigger a reaction in a sensitive pet.
Fish: not just a novel protein but rich in fish oil - the omega-3s support anti-inflammatory effects, strengthen the skin barrier, relieve dry/itchy skin, and support brain function.
Venison: a naturally delicate, lean meat, farmed extensively in Australia and New Zealand, and increasingly popular as a novel protein. Venison from New Zealand is of particular high quality due their temperate climate allowing for highly nutritious green pastures and year round farming.
Kangaroo: a high-quality, low-fat protein historically the go-to for elimination diets due to low cost and availability, now widely used in commercial diets too.
Duck: relatively new to the market, rich in iron, easy to digest and packed with essential amino acids.
If you're specifically managing a dog's food allergy or sensitive skin, see our full guide to best dog food for skin allergies, which covers dog-specific product options. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, our vet guide to the best cat food for sensitive stomachs covers cat-specific options.
Novel protein treats
Our pets love treats, and we love rewarding them - there's a wide variety of novel protein treats available for both dogs and cats, perfect for pets with sensitivities or just as a delicious snack.
In conclusion, the growing awareness of pet nutrition has driven the popularity of novel protein diets. Offering a valuable alternative for pets with allergies or sensitivities, these unique protein sources, such as fish, insect, venison, kangaroo, and duck, can provide relief from the symptoms of these health conditions.
The expanding availability of novel protein foods and treats makes it easier than ever for pet owners to cater to their furry companions' specific dietary needs and ensure their long-term well-being. Remember to transition your pet slowly to any new foods, to avoid any tummy upsets.
Novel Protein FAQs
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 14 Oct 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
