95% Protein Digestibility: The Science Behind Ultimate Plus Digestive Care Dog Food

At Ultimate Pet Foods, we don't ask you to take our word for it. When we say Ultimate Plus Digestive Care Dog Food supports optimal nutrient absorption and gastrointestinal health, that claim is backed by independent university-validated research — not marketing copy.

Here's exactly what the study found.

About the Study

The Ultimate Plus Digestive Care Dog Food diet was submitted to Ghent University Veterinary School for independent assessment of its apparent digestibility — a rigorous measure of how effectively dogs' bodies absorb the nutrients they consume.

The Results

Apparent protein digestibility measures the percentage of ingested protein that is absorbed by the body, calculated by subtracting excreted protein from total intake. A score of 95% means the diet is converting almost all dietary protein into usable nutrition for the dog.

Key Findings at a Glance

Every Dog Ate Every Bite

All eight dogs in the study consumed their entire daily portions throughout the trial. This is not simply a nice-to-have — palatability is a prerequisite for any therapeutic or health-supporting diet to deliver results. A diet that works in theory but gets left in the bowl achieves nothing.

The fact that palatability was consistent across all eight dogs validates the formulation from a practical feeding standpoint.

Stool Quality as a Digestive Marker

Faecal samples collected during the trial averaged 33.5% dry matter content. In practice, this translates to firm, well-formed stools — one of the clearest observable indicators of effective digestion and good gastrointestinal health.

High faecal dry matter is significant because it indicates the gut is absorbing moisture and nutrients efficiently, rather than passing excess material through. For owners, this is also a tangible, day-to-day sign that the diet is working.

Macronutrient Absorption Confirmed

Beyond protein, detailed calculations of daily macronutrient intake and faecal excretion confirmed the diet's effectiveness across all measured nutrients. The data supports not just protein utilisation, but overall optimal nutrient absorption — making Ultimate Plus Digestive Care a comprehensively digestible diet, not just one that scores well on a single marker.

Why This Matters for Your Dog

Many dogs with sensitive stomachs, recurring digestive upset, or food intolerances are eating diets that look correct on paper but aren't being fully utilised by the body. The consequence is wasted nutrition, inconsistent stool quality, and ongoing discomfort.

A 95% protein digestibility score means that when your dog eats Ultimate Plus Digestive Care, very little of what they consume is going to waste. The nutrients are reaching the tissues that need them.

This is the difference between feeding a diet that claims to be digestible and feeding one that has been independently validated to be.

Ultimate Plus Digestive Care Dog Food is available as part of our hydrolysed dog food range — formulated without a prescription requirement and made in the UK. If your dog is showing signs of digestive sensitivity, poor stool quality, or suspected food intolerance, you can explore the full Ultimate Plus Digestive Care Dog Food recipe including ingredients, feeding guide, and sizing options.

About the Ultimate Plus Range

Ultimate Plus Digestive Care Dog Food is part of the Ultimate Plus hydrolysed dog food range from Ultimate Pet Foods — formulated with hydrolysed protein and produced through the Freshtrusion® low-temperature extrusion process to preserve ingredient integrity.