Where to Buy Novel Proteins for Dogs in Singapore (2026 Guide)
By BEANS Team · Published
TL;DR
You can buy novel proteins in Singapore from vet clinics, pet stores, online sellers and local specialist brands. Pick a meat your dog has never eaten, such as rabbit, venison, kangaroo, ostrich or horse. Check every label for hidden chicken or beef, use a vet-guided complete diet for meals, and match treats to the same protein.
- A novel protein is one your dog has never eaten, so it depends on your dog's history.
- Rabbit, venison, kangaroo, ostrich and horse are the most practical novel options here.
- Vet clinics are best for formal trials; local brands help with matching treats.
- Imported pet food and treats need an AVS permit, so buy from local sellers.
- Read the full ingredient list for hidden chicken fat, beef or animal digest.
What counts as a novel protein for dogs?
A novel protein is any meat your dog has never eaten before. Because its immune system has no history with that protein, there is nothing to react to. That makes novel proteins the starting point for vets investigating food allergies (VCA Animal Hospitals).
"Novel" is personal. Kangaroo is novel for a dog raised on chicken kibble, but not for a dog that has eaten kangaroo treats for a year. Before you buy, list every protein your dog has had in food, treats, chews and toppers.
For most Singapore dogs, the usual proteins are chicken, beef, lamb and fish. Those are also among the foods most often reported as allergy triggers: beef in 34% of food-allergic dogs, dairy 17%, chicken 15% and lamb 5% in one review (Mueller et al., BMC Veterinary Research, 2016).
Which novel proteins can you find in Singapore?
Rabbit, venison, kangaroo, ostrich and horse are the most practical options here. All are lean, and all are rarely used in mainstream dog food.
| Protein | Why choose it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Lean, gentle, rarely fed | Check it isn't mixed with chicken in "rabbit recipes" |
| Venison | Lean red meat, very palatable | Some venison foods add lamb or beef |
| Kangaroo | Very lean, good for weight control | Popular in Australia-made foods, so check history |
| Ostrich | Almost never in dog food | Fewer formats available |
| Horse | Lean, iron-rich, very rarely fed | Fewer formats available |
| Duck or turkey | Easy to find | Poultry; may not suit chicken-allergic dogs |
Researchers have identified chicken allergens with the potential to cross-react with other species, so if chicken is the suspect, skip other birds for a strict trial (Olivry et al., Veterinary Dermatology, 2022).
Kangaroo Freeze-Dried Pet Treats (SGD $19.90): Pure kangaroo. Nothing else. A novel protein for itchy, sensitive dogs and high-value training.
Where can you buy novel proteins in Singapore?
From four main places, each suited to a different need.
- Your vet clinic. Best for a formal elimination trial. Vets can supply complete prescription diets, either novel protein or hydrolysed, and guide the process.
- Pet stores. Good for browsing complete foods and treats in person. Read labels carefully, since "novel protein" ranges vary a lot in how clean they are.
- Online stores and marketplaces. Convenient and often cheaper. Buy from sellers based in Singapore, as imported pet food, treats and supplements need an AVS permit, and parcels without one may be detained (AVS, NParks).
- Local specialist brands. Brands like BEANS focus on single-ingredient freeze-dried treats in novel proteins, delivered across Singapore, so treats can match your trial protein.
Which format is best: freeze-dried, air-dried, raw or kibble?
For treats during a trial, freeze-dried single-ingredient meat is the simplest. For main meals, follow your vet's advice on a complete diet.
| Format | Pros | Cons | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried | Just the meat, light, easy to break small, shelf-stable when sealed | Pricier per gram; reseal quickly in humidity | Treats and training rewards |
| Air-dried | Long shelf life, chewy | May include binders or glycerin | Treats if single-ingredient |
| Raw or fresh-frozen | Minimally processed | Needs freezer space and careful hygiene | Complete meals with vet input |
| Prescription kibble | Complete and balanced, vet-supervised | Only through vets | Formal elimination trials |
A trial diet must be complete and balanced. Home-prepared novel protein diets should be formulated by a veterinary nutritionist (VCA).
What should you check before you buy?
The full ingredient list, not the name on the front. A food called "venison" can still contain chicken fat or beef flavouring. Use this checklist:
- One named protein, ideally the only ingredient for treats
- No chicken fat, chicken meal, beef or "animal digest" hidden further down
- No vague terms like "meat" or "animal by-products"
- Sealed, resealable packaging, essential in Singapore's humidity
- A batch number, expiry date and a contactable company
- Local stock or a seller who handles AVS import requirements
How do you use novel proteins in a food trial?
Feed one novel protein, and nothing else, for 8 to 12 weeks. That includes treats, chews, toppers and flavoured medicines (VCA). Chewable flea and heartworm products often contain beef, pork or soy, so ask your vet about alternatives (Merck Veterinary Manual).
Matching treats make trials far easier to stick to. If your dog's trial protein is rabbit, use rabbit treats. Our guide on why novel proteins help itchy dogs covers the full trial, and the proteins to avoid explains which meats to skip.
Rabbit Freeze-Dried Pet Treats (SGD $15.90): Pure rabbit. Nothing else. A classic novel protein, lean and gently digestible.
Bottom line
You can buy novel proteins in Singapore from vet clinics, pet stores, online sellers and local specialist brands. Choose a protein your dog has never eaten, such as rabbit, venison, kangaroo, ostrich or horse, and check every label for hidden chicken or beef. Use a vet-guided complete diet for meals and single-ingredient treats in the same protein, and run the trial for 8 to 12 weeks.
Browse our single-protein treats for itchy pets to match your trial protein.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best novel protein for dogs in Singapore?
The best one is a protein your dog has never eaten. For most Singapore dogs raised on chicken, beef, lamb and fish, rabbit is a gentle first choice, with venison, kangaroo, ostrich and horse as good alternatives. Pick one at a time so you can tell what works.
Can I buy novel protein dog food at a vet in Singapore?
Yes. Vet clinics can supply complete prescription diets based on a novel protein or hydrolysed protein, and guide an elimination trial. This is the best option when you are formally testing for a food allergy, since the diet is complete and balanced.
Is it safe to buy dog treats from overseas online?
Imported pet food, treats and supplements need an import permit from AVS, including parcels from overseas online stores. Shipments without one may be detained. Buying from sellers already based in Singapore avoids this and usually means faster delivery.
Are freeze-dried treats good for an elimination trial?
Single-ingredient freeze-dried treats work well, as long as they are the same protein as the trial diet. They are just the meat, easy to break into small pieces, and shelf-stable when the pouch is resealed quickly in Singapore's humidity.
Is duck a novel protein for dogs?
Duck is novel for some dogs, but it is poultry. Researchers have found chicken allergens with potential to cross-react with other species, so if your dog may be allergic to chicken, many vets suggest a red or exotic meat like rabbit, venison or kangaroo instead.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Food allergies in dogs
- Mueller, Olivry and Prélaud (2016). Common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Veterinary Research
- Olivry et al. (2022). Identification of major and minor chicken allergens in dogs. Veterinary Dermatology
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Cutaneous food allergy in animals
- AVS, NParks: Bringing pet food into Singapore
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has ongoing symptoms, see your vet.