HIGH protein feeding problem - Page 1

anyone worried about health risks to a dog with feeding the highprotein? i see many people feeding their dogs feeds with protein listed at 40%. do your dogs really need that much protein? i know i'll hear wolves eat a high protein raw diet... this is true. wolves also cover many miles each and every day and burn extreme amounts of energy each and every day. our dogs in a normal day even with most exercising and training don't come close to this amount of exercise. perhaps if they are training for an endurance title then they need more protien. but if you aren't then your dog isn't using all the protein you are feeding. if you feed your dog an extremely high amount of protein that he isn't using it tasks his kidneys and burns them out. then you have a whole new health problem that you created and could possible end with the premature death of yourdog. feed a good quality feed wether it be kibble, raw or a combination of the two, but watch how much protein you feed and make sure that it isn't to much. that way you will have your dogs with you for their FULL lifetime.

Protein levels need to be monitored while a dog is growing as a puppy, but once the dog is fully grown, any additional protein is wasted unless the dog is enduring a high level of exercise on a regular basis. I am not aware of documented studies that describe how additional protein has a detrimental effect on a dog's kidneys or other organs. That said, the digestion of protein requires the body to use much energy, and of course stresses the digestive system a bit. In the end, is an unnecessarily high level of protein dangerous for a dog? I don't think so (I could be wrong, but I need to see absolute proof) but it is obviously a waste of money unless the dog really needs it. The adult GSD can thrive on a food with a crude protein level of 24%-26%. Bob-O

Is 24% - 26% for the active schutzhund dog in training? Or the less active family dog?

Animules, in my opinion 24%-26% is the norm for a less-active to moderately active dog. As far as high levels of activity, I would keep an eye on the muscle mass of the dog to determine whether the protein level is sufficient. And there is the issue with the quality and source of protein as well. Organ meats such as the heart, as well as the dense muscles are a very concentrated source of usable protein, but hair and feathers (while comprised 100% of protein) cannot be digested and used by the dog. I think this is one of the compelling reasons for use of the raw diet, as one knows the source of the protein and does not have to worry about the mix of hair and feathers, as well as components (recent news of the use of a melamine derivitive) that may have been added to falsely raise the protein level. Bob-O

Lets not forget the amount a dog is fed too. A higher protein product can recommend a lower intake of food, therefore levelling the overall amount of protein digested. At 40% protein 1 kibble 2 times a day should do ;-) Don't always assume because the protein content is high you have to feed your dog/s the same amount of kibble as a lower protein product. Always read the label.

Overfeeding is the greatest tax on the organs. This is most frequently the result of feeds that are improperly formulated (most feeds are) containing large quantities of grain and other fillers such as potatoes. Wolves consume a diet comprised mostly of small prey. Meat, while composed of protien is mostly water. If your dog only needs 20g of protien per day you can calculate the quantity of meat or other feed required. Whole raw meat is rather bulky because of the water content. This tends to mitigate the potency of the feed. Pups raised on raw have been shown to grow more slowly, and be healthier than their bag food eating counterparts. I have found that during high demand periods such as pregnancy and lactation it is necessary to add high calorie supplementation as a pregnant bitch can only eat so much meat. The leading cause of death in humans is gluttony (not smoking). We have projected our self destructive consumption habits on our animals for generations with the help of feed manufacturers who have found a way to sell us low quality grain and other junk that we do not need. If your dog is getting everything that he or she needs in the correct balance without excess they will be healthy. Unfortunately most feeds are composed of dry meat by products and grain. The dry meat is very potent, so the only way to mitigate protien levels is to raise starch, sugar, and fiber levels. I consider this to be worse. I recommend tailoring the diet to the individual dog using the historical diet of canids as a guide. You can estimate your dogs variation from the norm. Your estimates will likely be more precise than the fluctuations of nature. Best Wishes, Jonah

And you should follow the frequency of feedings... Too high protein causes stinking URINE and smelly feces (undigested protein)

Agreed,Jonah has it in a nutshell..comercial foods lie about whats in the bag also...just found that out , will share the story later.....