How much protein should my senior dog eat for optimal health?

The National Research Council on Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats lists protein and fat requirements for growing puppies in grams per day. Unfortunately this can be confusing because most pet food labels show minimum protein and fat content as a % basis. Puppies need 56 g of crude protein and 21 g of total fat per day. This is a very helpful resource that includes instructions on how to ensure you are feeding your dog these minimum amounts: http://dels.nas.edu/resources/static-assets/banr/miscellaneous/dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf

The amount of protein in a dog's diet should be between 18-25% daily. In terms of the correct amount of food, I would feed an adult formulated dog food and give your dog the daily allotment recommended on the bag. Divide it into two equal portions to feed your dog twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening.

As long as your cat is eating a diet that has undergone feeding trials or is formulated to meet AAFCO standards and is eating an amount of food in the range recommended in the feeding directions on the label for his weight, then he is likely getting enough protein. As long as he does not have any underlying liver and/or kidney problems it does not matter how much protein you feed him. Please know that feeding a diet that is higher in protein than cats need does not result in any health benefits. For a healthy cat, excess protein is unlikely to be harmful, either. The extra protein will just be broken down by the body and eliminated in the urine.

You are correct that a senior dog doesn't need to put onto a low protein diet and it can cause more harm than good. Senior dogs need lower calories to prevent obesity because they have a slower metabolic rate.

Pete is a cutie! Individual pets' protein requirements will vary depending on their health status. For example, very active working dogs may need a higher-protein diet than a normal household dog. Also, pets with kidney disease or other health conditions may need a protein restricted diet. If Pete is an average healthy pet dog any dog food that is labeled for maintenance feeding will be adequate. This is a great resource from the FDA explaining pet food labeling: https://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/ucm047120.htm Please remember to transition your dog slowly over five to seven days whenever changing the diet. If Pete has specific health conditions such as food allergies or kidney disease, please consult with your veterinarian before changing his diet.

As I did not see your initial question I'm not sure what you asked. However protein requirements for dogs depends greatly on their age, activity level, and sexual status. You have Cherry listed as a female spayed dog, and if she's an adult she'll likely need less protein than a puppy. If she's active such as a hunting or other working dog, a higher protein amount is needed to help keep her muscles in shape. Pet Education has a great little chart regarding protein needs that may be helpful for you: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=702

Senior dog food formulas are lower in calories and contain less fat, protein and sodium. These may not fulfill the nutritional requirements of your dog. Furthermore, neither AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nor the National Research Council (NRC) provides guidelines for senior dog formulas. There is NO distinction made between the nutritional requirements for adult dogs and those for senior dogs. As a result, the ingredients used in pet food marketed for ‘seniors’ is determined by the manufacturer and varies widely.