32% Protein Content Dogfood - Page 1

Hello Everyone,

I have heard from some friends that giving our gsd (regardless of age)  a very high (32%) protein content dogfood (Pro Plan Performance) is not good for our dogs.  They said it tends to overwork their liver in digesting this proteins especially in hot places like the Philippines.  Is this true?  I think this maybe true to older dogs (5 years and above).  What do you think my friends?

Wok, I would say that the dog's body is only going to use the protein that it needs, and the rest will be wasted as expensive poop. Protein does require a lot of energy to digest, but I cannot say that it is hard of kidneys, liver, etc. For a dog who needs to build muscle and/or stay in excellent condition a food with higher protein content can be warranted as the dog's body needs it. For the average GSD who has a yard to play in and a couch to sleep on, a 24% mix is quite adequate.

As I said before, protein requires a lot of effort from the body. This makes the body "warmer" as it is working hard to digest more protein. And a "warmer" body does not shed heat very well. Many of us ride motorcycles across the deserts of North America, and those of us who are very experienced doing this activity avoid foods that are high protein such as meat, etc. as we need our bodies to stay as stress-free as possible. Any additional "heat" the body generates must be eliminated-in our case by sweating. This method of survival makes a difference in who safely makes it across a desert that has a constant temperature of 50+/- degrees Celcius. The Philippines are quite warm year-round, so unless the dog is training as a high-performance working dog and needs to build and maintain a heavy muscle mass, I would use a food that is 24%-26% crude protein level.

Others may have more and/or better advice for you. I just know what seems to work well for me.

Regards,

Bob-O

My girl was on that same food, I did so because she didn't eat much and I thaught she needed the extra protien.

In the end the only time she put on weight was when I walked her enough to work up an appitite. 

Bob-  Thanks for shedding some light on this topic.  I'm trying to put weight on a 5 month old pup.  I got him on Solid Gold right now and I think the protein content is 22 or 24%, can't remember off the top of my head.  I've only had him a couple weeks and it seems to be working- I've noticed a difference already in some weight gain but I'd like to beef him up faster since he's still behind by about 15 pounds.  Any suggestions?

Our schutzhund group was told many years ago in Houston when someone got on one of thos protein kicks and starting telling all of us to feed 32% protein  , by a vet that treated three males , in our  group,,,for liver enzyme problems,,,,burn out he called it...and said it could kill a dog if you don't know your dog can handle that high of a protein....a puppy in no way needs that %

his reply to all of Us:   Your dog does not need that High a protein....you're asking for trouble, no one knows if the liver can handle it, and unless your dog is  involved in a trek around the world and runs all the way, you still don't need to chance it...

I wouldn't chancel it...Stay in the  24-26 range, and ad the raw meats, cottage cheese and you need slow growth anyway.

I would not worry about making a five month old pup gain weight.    Large breed dogs need slow growth.. Higher fat is what you need for the gsd and not bacon grease, either.

yellowrose, If I start putting cottage cheese and raw meat in his food will I expect to see diahrea?  I just finally got his stool normal after switching his food from Pro Plan what the breeder was feeding.  I've always heard a lot of people on here talking about a raw diet and I knew they were talking about raw meats but I never thought to ask more details like what types of meats do you feed, how much, how often, with or without dry food?  A friend of mine has a 7 mo old showline and he's a whole lot bigger than my 5 mo old boy.  I wouldn't think 2 months would make that big of a difference?  What about the Bill Jack that you get in the frozen section of the grocery store??  Is that good and will it be good for him?  It was suggested to me and that's why I ask before I go buy some.