Peptides & pets

​The world is buzzing right now regarding peptides, and of course it is trickling down to the veterinary community.

Veterinary peptide research is moving forward. A 2026 study, for example, investigated synthetic antimicrobial peptides against resistant Enterobacter species and Giardia duodenalis isolated from dogs, although this was laboratory work and shouldn't be interpreted as an established treatment for pets (1).

Although there are prescription types available through your veterinarian, and very costly, there are natural ways we can provide peptides for our pets, but first, let’s discuss what peptides are.
Peptides are in short, short chain amino acids, some act like nutritional building blocks in the body, while others behave like biological signals, interacting with immune cells, receptors, microbes, and tissues.

For general health, here are my top natural recommendations;
 

1. NEM (Natural Eggshell Membrane);

 
This is one of the areas where there is actual canine clinical evidence rather than just extrapolation from humans or rodents.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 51 dogs evaluated natural eggshell membrane at approximately 13.5 mg/kg/day. Researchers reported improvements in some pain/function measures and a significant change in the cartilage-degradation marker CTX-II after six weeks.

And another randomized canine OA trial published more recently evaluated a combination containing eggshell membrane along with krill, astaxanthin, hyaluronic acid and Boswellia. The supplement group improved across several measures, although because it was a combination product we cannot attribute the effect specifically to eggshell membrane (2).
Eggshell membrane naturally contains collagen, peptides, hyularonic acid, chondroitin and other constituents.
   

​  2. Colostrum;

Colostrum is a whole food that is extremely high in vital nurients, growth factors, antibodies, imunnoglobin G, M and A, lactoferrin and proline-rich polypeptides (PRP).
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Particularly good for the immune system, gut health, and stress-induced immunity.
A 2013 published study showed the effects of colostrum supplementation in dogs significantly improves immune response, increases fecal antibody levels, and supports gut health (3).

Enhanced vaccine response-
A 2013 article published a study that showed that when adult dogs fed a diet supplemented to 0.1% spray-dried bovine colostrum showed a stronger lasting immune response and higher antibody titers after a canine distemper virus vaccination (4).

“The study was conducted in two phases: pre-test (8 weeks) and test (40 weeks), with twenty-four dogs (mean age 2.5 years) randomised into two groups. In the 'pre-test' phase, both groups were fed a nutritionally complete diet. At the end of the 'pre-test' phase, all dogs received a canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccine, and dogs in the 'test group' were switched to a diet supplemented with 0.1% spray-dried BC. Response to the CDV vaccine was evaluated by measuring vaccine-specific plasma IgG levels. Gut-associated lymphoid tissue response was assessed by measuring faecal IgA levels. Gut microbiota were evaluated by the temporal temperature gel electrophoresis methodology. Dogs fed the BC-supplemented diet demonstrated a significantly higher vaccine response and higher levels of faecal IgA when compared with the control group. Supplementing diets with BC also resulted in significantly increased gut microbiota diversity and stability in the test group. In conclusion, diets supplemented with BC significantly influence immune response in dogs.”

      3. Spirulina/Algae;

​Spirulina itself is protein-rich. Researchers can hydrolyze those proteins enzymatically and isolate peptide fractions that can then be studied for biological activities.
And there's now interesting 2026 canine research on spirulina itself. A study in working dogs investigated daily Spirulina platensis supplementation and looked at nutritional, antioxidant, immune, microbiome and gene-expression outcomes (5).
Proteins from algae can be enzymatically broken into smaller peptide fractions, and researchers are investigating bioactive peptides from various algae for antioxidant, antimicrobial, metabolic and immunomodulatory properties.

    4. Bone Broth;

Bone broth naturally contains collagen, peptides, glutamine, and may have reparative effects in the body, specifically the gut lining, as glutamine has been shown to have gut improving benefits, and cognitive supportive properties as well.
Because bone broth contains collagen, it will naturally give your pets some peptides, but is beneficial for overall health as bone broth naturally contains vitamins and minerals, works as a great electrolyte hydrator to any meal or by itself and they love it!

   5. Mushrooms;

Believe it or not, mushrooms contain protein.
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Researchers have enzymatically hydrolyzed shiitake protein and identified specific bioactive peptide sequences. One study isolated the 11-amino-acid peptide KIGSRSRFDVT, which demonstrated ACE-inhibitory activity in vitro. (6).
Another study identified 14 peptides from shiitake protein hydrolysate and synthesized four--EGEPKLP, KDDLRSP, TPELKL and LDYGKL—that demonstrated α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro.
Even more interesting, researchers have detected naturally occurring processed peptides directly in shiitake fruiting bodies using mass spectrometry, so this isn't solely a phenomenon created by laboratory hydrolysis.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is also very interesting. Proteomic work confirms that water extracts contain numerous proteins and enzymes.(7).
Researchers studying hydrolyzed Reishi protein have identified antioxidant peptide sequences including DRVSIYGWG, ALLSISSF and VDLPTCKGF. These showed antioxidant/free-radical-scavenging activity in experimental systems. (8).
A 2025 study also specifically characterized antioxidant peptides from Reishi as potential functional-food ingredients.
 
Whichever ones you choose to give to your pets, you can be confident in knowing that because these are whole food sources, the chances of any adverse reactions would be minimal to none.
The body will immediately recognize these low molecular weight peptides, and although one may argue that there aren’t any concentrated amounts, it does not necessarily mean it is less effective.
I would rather have a lower dose of something every day, knowing that my body can properly catabolize it because of its high bioavailabilty, than a higher dose of something synthetic.
For extreme cases, this is where one would contact their veterinarian to find more information.

Written by Lucy Jabrayan-
Holistic Pet Expert & Founder of Thrive4Life Holistic Pet Food
 

References 

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41600700/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40530040/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23773360/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23773360/
5. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-026-05498-5?utm_source
6. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13197-020-04517-z
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29931755/
8. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/11/2516