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Ingredient file // Vitamin or mineral

Copper Proteinate

Necessary copper, with no proven dog advantage

Copper proteinate is a copper supplement made by binding copper to pieces of protein. It helps a food supply the copper dogs need for blood and coat pigment. The protein attached to it makes no meaningful contribution to the food's protein.

Role in the food Supporting nutrient
What it is
A feed supplement in which copper is bound to amino acids and short pieces of protein.
Made from
Hydrolyzed protein and a copper salt
Main job
Supplies dietary copper
Typical amount
Trace amounts; one dog trial added 8 mg/kg copper
Watch for
Total dietary copper in dogs with liver disease
Not the same as
Copper sulfate

Straight answer

Is Copper Proteinate safe for dogs?

Read the copper amount, not its form

Copper proteinate near the end of a list is a routine mineral addition. For a healthy dog, judge the complete food without treating this name as a quality badge. If your dog has copper associated liver disease, ask the maker for the finished food's total copper on a dry matter basis.

Why it is in the food
Supplies dietary copper

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 2 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

48%

1,540 of the 3,205 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 78 brands. 1,078 dry dog food, 350 wet dog food, 49 frozen dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 23. In the top five of 4 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

6%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 94% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.58
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 922 priced foods, 10% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

8%

of the foods that list it are from Royal Canin. 78 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Supplement makers turn protein into small binding pieces, then react them with a soluble copper salt. The resulting powder gives pet food makers a measured copper source to add through a mineral premix.5,8,9

  1. 01 // Source Protein and copper Hydrolyzed plant protein and a soluble copper salt supply the material for the supplement.
  2. 02 // Process Split the protein Acid or enzymes break protein into amino acids and short peptides that can bind copper.
  3. 03 // Process Add copper The copper salt reacts with those pieces; the amount that remains bound depends on the process.
  4. 04 // Output Copper powder The finished powder is weighed into a mineral premix before the premix goes into feed.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

15

% copper

About 15% copper in the feed table's dry matter estimate. It is a concentrated mineral addition, not a protein ingredient.

Copper 150,150 mg/kg4
Dry matter 100%4
Copper 150.2 g/kg4

The copper value is a feed table estimate, not a guaranteed assay for every supplier. Protein content is omitted because the available product guarantees give minimums as sold, not measured dry matter values.4,8

Why it is in the bag

Here to supply copper, a mineral dogs need

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Copper is an essential trace mineral, and growing dogs fed too little developed gray hair and anemia [1]. Makers add this ingredient so the finished food reaches its copper target. It is about 15% copper on a dry matter basis, so a tiny amount does the job, which is why it sits far down the list: labels go by weight [4, 11]. The protein-bound form is the maker's choice; a dog advantage over copper sulfate is unproven [2, 5].1,2,4,5,11

  1. 01

    Covers copper needs

    Main ingredients do not supply a fixed amount of copper. Formulators add a measured source so the finished food supplies enough for the dog's needs.1,6

  2. 02

    Offers a bound form

    Protein fragments bind some of the copper. Laboratory work shows binding varies with processing, so the ingredient name does not tell an owner how much a dog absorbs.5

  3. 03

    Gives formulators another option

    Inorganic mineral salts are generally the lower cost feed option. Makers can choose proteinate for a mineral premix, but a health advantage in adequately fed dogs remains unproven.2,10

How much One 24 week dog comparison added 8 mg/kg of copper from either proteinates or sulfates to the diets.2

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Copper supports blood and normal coat pigment

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a study of 10 growing beagles, the 6 fed too little copper developed gray hair and, after 4 months, anemia. That supports adequate copper intake, not a special effect of proteinate.1

  2. Brands say

    Copper proteinate is always absorbed better than sulfate

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 24 week comparison in 20 adult dogs found more copper in hair with a proteinate premix, but no difference in serum or liver copper. It tested several minerals together and cannot prove an absorption advantage for this ingredient alone.2

  3. Brands say

    Copper proteinate makes healthy coats shinier

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A puppy case report described abnormal coat color in 6 of 8 puppies with inadequate copper intake. It did not test proteinate or show a coat benefit in dogs already getting enough copper.3

  4. Critics say

    Any added copper causes liver disease

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Copper buildup matters in susceptible dogs, but an AAFCO expert panel found too little dog evidence to set a general safe upper limit. Seeing this ingredient on a label does not show that the finished food is harmful.6,7

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It supplies copper, an essential trace mineral. The attached protein carries the copper but contributes too little to make this a meaningful protein source in the finished food.1,4,8

  2. Q02

    Is it better than copper sulfate?

    Not proven

    The dog comparison found higher hair copper but similar serum and liver copper. Proteinate products also differ in how firmly they bind copper. The finished food's copper amount is more useful than the source name.2,5

  3. Q03

    Why is it near the end?

    Expected

    Dogs need copper in trace amounts, and ingredients are listed by weight. A low position is normal for a copper supplement; it does not tell you the food's total copper concentration.2,11

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Royal Canin 122 / 161
  2. Wellness 94 / 118
  3. NutriSource 88 / 91
  4. Nulo 80 / 117
  5. Instinct 76 / 98
  6. Stella & Chewy's 70 / 85
  7. Fromm 59 / 67
  8. Natural Balance 45 / 48
  9. Zignature 39 / 46
  10. Now Fresh 35 / 35

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 68 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #3 Purina Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  2. #7 Stella & Chewy’s Marie’s Magical Dinner Dust Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper
  3. #8 Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Salmon & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food
  4. #17 Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
  5. #20 Purina Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  6. #26 Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  7. #29 Royal Canin Small Adult Dry Dog Food
  8. #31 Open Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Mixed Tocopherols 42%
  2. Chicken Fat 37%
  3. Natural Flavor 35%
  4. Flaxseed 34%
  5. Chicken 33%
  6. Peas 32%
  7. Chicken Meal 25%
  8. Brown Rice 21%
  9. Dried Plain Beet Pulp 19%
  10. Sweet Potatoes 18%
  11. Carrots 17%
  12. Turkey 15%

On the shelf

Foods that list Copper Proteinate

1,540 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Evanger’s Grain Free Braised Beef Chunks with Gravy - packed by hand! Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Grain Free Braised Beef Chunks with Gravy - packed by hand! Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelEvanger’s Roasted Chicken Drummet Dinner - packed by hand! Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Roasted Chicken Drummet Dinner - packed by hand! Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelPedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Chicken & Duck Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Chicken & Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelMerrick Fresh Selects Turkey & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Fresh Selects Turkey & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 6 on the labelAgainst the Grain The Good Egg - Steak ‘n Egg Wet Dog FoodAgainst the GrainAgainst the Grain The Good Egg - Steak ‘n Egg Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelAgainst the Grain The Good Egg - Bacon N Eggs Scramble Wet Dog FoodAgainst the GrainAgainst the Grain The Good Egg - Bacon N Eggs Scramble Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelPedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Beef & Bison Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Beef & Bison Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWysong Fundamentals Dry Dog FoodWysongWysong Fundamentals Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelMerrick Fresh Selects Chicken & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Fresh Selects Chicken & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 7 on the labelIams Proactive Health With Chicken AND Whole Grain Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health With Chicken AND Whole Grain Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Tender Turkey One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Tender Turkey One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the label
Show 48 more
Merrick Fresh Selects Beef & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Fresh Selects Beef & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 7 on the labelEvanger’s Chunky Chicken Casserole - packed by hand! Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Chunky Chicken Casserole - packed by hand! Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelEvanger’s EVX Restricted Diet: Weight Management Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s EVX Restricted Diet: Weight Management Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelEvanger’s Grain Free; Super Premium Chicken Dinner Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Grain Free; Super Premium Chicken Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Slow Cooked Chicken One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Slow Cooked Chicken One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Beef, Bacon & Cheese Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Beef, Bacon & Cheese Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Chicken and Rice Dinner Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Chicken and Rice Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelWellness Core 95% Chicken & Broccoli Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core 95% Chicken & Broccoli Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelEvanger’s Super Premium EVX Restricted Diet: Skin & Coat Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Super Premium EVX Restricted Diet: Skin & Coat Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelEvanger’s Grain Free LID Venison + Beef Dinner Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Grain Free LID Venison + Beef Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelIams Proactive Health With Lamb AND Rice Classic Ground Dog Food TopperIamsIams Proactive Health With Lamb AND Rice Classic Ground Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelFromm Four-Star Diner Specials Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Diner Specials Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Roasted Beef One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Roasted Beef One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Braised Beef & Lamb One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Braised Beef & Lamb One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelPedigree High Protein Adult Can, Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Adult Can, Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, T-bone Steak Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, T-bone Steak Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Chicken, Liver & Beef Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Chicken, Liver & Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Turkey & Bacon Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Turkey & Bacon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelWysong Original Diets Healthy Aging Dry Dog FoodWysongWysong Original Diets Healthy Aging Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelEvanger’s EVX Restricted Diet: Digestion Bland Diet Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s EVX Restricted Diet: Digestion Bland Diet Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelFromm Four-Star Diner Classics Charlie’s Chicken Pot Pie Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Diner Classics Charlie’s Chicken Pot Pie Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Turkey, Duck & Root Veggies Butcher Block Pâté Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Turkey, Duck & Root Veggies Butcher Block Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Beef Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelPedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner, Chicken & Beef Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner, Chicken & Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Weight Control Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodFirstMateFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Weight Control Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Large Breed Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodFirstMateFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Large Breed Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodFirstMateFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelWysong Archetype Burgers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog FoodWysongWysong Archetype Burgers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 9 on the labelNow Fresh Chicken & Broth Wet Food for Small Breed Dogs Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Chicken & Broth Wet Food for Small Breed Dogs Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelBixbi Rawbble Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodBIXBIBixbi Rawbble Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 10 on the labelDave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet Bland Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet Bland Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelFromm Four-Star Pâté Chicken & Rice Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Pâté Chicken & Rice Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelFirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet Free Run Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodFirstMateFirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet Free Run Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelZignature Inception Fish Recipe Food Can Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Inception Fish Recipe Food Can Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelIams Proactive Health Puppy With Chicken AND Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health Puppy With Chicken AND Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelIams Adult Chicken Chunks IN Gravy Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Adult Chicken Chunks IN Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelFromm Pâté Beef & Barley Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Pâté Beef & Barley Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelFromm Pâté Lamb Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Pâté Lamb Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelFromm Pâté Lamb & Sweet Potato Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Pâté Lamb & Sweet Potato Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Turkey & Autumn Veggies Butcher Block Pâté Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Turkey & Autumn Veggies Butcher Block Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Beef, Cheddar & Farm Veggies Butcher Block Pâté Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Beef, Cheddar & Farm Veggies Butcher Block Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelHealth Extension food Grain Free Turkey Entree Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free Turkey Entree Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelPedigree High Protein Adult Can, Beef & Lamb Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Adult Can, Beef & Lamb Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Cans, Country Stew and Chicken & Rice Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Cans, Country Stew and Chicken & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Country Stew Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Country Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelFirstMate Chicken Meal With Blueberries Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodFirstMateFirstMate Chicken Meal With Blueberries Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelGather Free Acres Organic Free-Run Chicken Recipe for Adult Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodGatherGather Free Acres Organic Free-Run Chicken Recipe for Adult Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked September 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Investigations on copper deficiency in growing dogs Journal of Nutrition abstract via POPLINE, 1991 // Journal
  2. 2 Effect of Bioplex organic trace minerals on copper, manganese, and zinc status of the canine Journal of Animal Science meeting abstract, 2004 // Journal
  3. 3 Copper deficiency in puppies: case report and review of literature Ghent University Academic Bibliography, 2012 // University
  4. 4 Copper proteinate INRAE, CIRAD and AFZ feed tables, n.d. // Database
  5. 5 Influence of the Chelation Process on the Stability of Organic Trace Mineral Supplements Used in Animal Nutrition Animals, 2021 // Journal
  6. 6 AAFCO PFC Copper in Dog Foods Expert Panel Final Report AAFCO, 2022 // Regulator
  7. 7 Copper hepatopathy and dietary management Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2024 // University
  8. 8 Optimin Copper 15% Product Data Sheet Micronutrients USA, n.d. // Industry
  9. 9 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1039 Official Journal of the European Union, 2018 // Regulator
  10. 10 Formulation Considerations for Mineral and Vitamin Supplements for Beef Cows University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, n.d. // University
  11. 11 Animal Food Labeling and Pet Food Claims U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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