[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by Lorraine

In my opinion, high protein diet is not meant for an average pet dog even the large breeds. It is just too 'hot' a diet. High protein high energy diets have to be used for dogs during field trials, working at herding that sort of thing but only during the season that these things are going on. During off season they are put back on lower energy diets. Dogs used in the sled pulling races etc are fed meat as the job they are doing requires the protein and energy from the food.
My opinion is based on my own experience, also in talking to many other long time very experienced show breeders that have different breeds from mine, and a friend of mine that was a field trial judge in days gone by.
People that do long distance hiking carry high protein nuts, bars etc to keep their energy up. When they get home they go back to their regular diet.
In my opinion, I don't think the Atkins diet is very good for people. Was there not a law suit not very long ago a young fellow ended up with heart disease from the high protein Atkins diet? I am not sure of the outcome, don't know if it ever went to court.
Have not people dieticians over the years warned against high protein diets? I don't know how the Atkins diet was so widely accepted. I do know in the early 70's there was a high protein diet that people were following to lose weight but were running into problems.
If people are on a high protein diet, they must drink a lot of water to flush the waste by product of protein, mainly being ammonia ions.
That high protein diet will do the same thing in dogs. On a short term for working dogs, it is required. As a general all around food, I am hard pressed to recommend it.
It does take a long time for the effects of a diet to be noticed in most cases. Feeding a high protein diet resulting in relatively quick illness symptoms may indeed be an indication of liver/kidney problems but that is not always the case.
Look at it this way. If I sat down and ate two huge steaks for dinner and a few grains, I would likely be pretty sick an hour or two later. It is possible this is what is happening with some dogs after a high protein meal. There is nothing wrong with the dog, just can't handle this kind of meal as well as the next one might. Another person could eat those same sized two steaks and a few grains for dinner and not feel a thing. It doesn't mean I have a liver problem, I just can't handle that diet as well. Would I recommend a diet like that of two steaks for dinner with a few grains on a regular basis for the person who can get away with eating that? Not likely. LOL
I am aware many of these diets put out by various dog food companies are supposed to be formulated by dieticians. However, I have no idea exactly what kind of background these people have or the reasoning behind their formulations.
What I do know, if they are wrong, it is my dog that pays the price.
I think you have to approach diets and feeding our pets with a certain amount of logic and don't fall for every new idea that comes along. Feeding trials on dogs are very difficult to do as not much of the public are game for dogs to be in feeding trials because of the requirements of the controlled feeding trial environment.
The dog food industry is not that regulated, neither is the toys, treats, etc for pets. You really do have to think for yourself and weigh what you do know about nutrition, possible dangers in anything you buy for your dog.

Hi, Lorraine.

I agree with you that high protein is not meant for the average dog. You've given great reasons to as to why. May I ask what food you feed your Yorkies?

Sheila