Lamb diets and heart problems? - Page 1

A few years ago I had a friend tell me that she read somewhere that feeding lamb based diets to large breed puppies might cause enlarged hearts in large breed puppies. I looked and looked, but never found the study she mentioned she read, but I did keep it in the back of my head when looking dog foods.

Now, TOTW is making a lamb protien food. I am interested in adding it to my rotation, but unsure of the effects of lamb. I searched around and found the following:

"Cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease that affects larger breeds of dogs. Doberman Pinchers and Boxers have a high incidence of this condition. Most recently, Taurine deficiencies due to feeding lamb and rice diets have been shown to cause the disease in dogs."

So, am I to assume that so long as the taurine is balanced in the food such a diet would be fine? What are a large dog's taurine requirements?

Does anyone else have any info or experience regarding lamb based diets and heart?

Kelly, if you add some organ meats in chunks, not ground to your dogs diet a couple times a week will give a natural boost to the taurine levels to your dog's diet.

I am interested in this formula as peas aren't at the top of ingredients. Peas cause my dogs to have "run you out of the room" gas.

So I'll give it a try. I only wish that Diamond would up the calorie count in their foods like Wellness core or Evo does.

Here is the ingredients in the new lamb formula of TOTW

Sierra Mountain Canine Formula

A lamb protein, grain-free formula with sweet potatoes and peas provides highly digestible energy for your dog. Made with real roasted lamb, this formula offers a taste sensation like no other. Supplemented with fruits and vegetables, this formula delivers natural antioxidants to help give your friend a healthy lifestyle. Your dog craves a taste of the wild. Go ahead and give him one.

Protein: 25% Fat: 15%
Calories: 3,611 kcal/kg (338 kcal/cup) Calculated Metabolizable Energy
Available in 5lb, 15lb and 30lb bags.

Ingredients
Lamb, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, canola oil, potato protein, roasted lamb, tomato pomace, natural flavor, salt, choline chloride, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative and source of vitamin E) dried chicory root, taurine, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, dried fermentation products of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

Personally I wouldn't take a publication serious when they misspell their own subject matter.  First, Germany has dropped the term "Pinscher" from the "Doberman" name and added the second "n" that spells the gentleman's name correctly, Dobermann.  Secondly, your quote misspells the word "Pinscher" and has it printed as Pincher. 

What is your purpose in switching/or adding lamb to your dog's diet?  I understand it was introduced for dogs with sensitivities to other protein sources but that can be ruled out with blood work.  Why the switch?