How much Protien is too much
 

Does anybody know what % of protien is ideal for yorkies? My breeder was a little concerned that one of the foods we were discussing was a little too high for yorkies--that particular percentage was 38%.

We are currently switching to Fromm Family (GF) and it is about 30%.

There are LOADS of debate on this. This is my personal view: if you have a lazy, not that active couch potato for a dog... I wouldn't do a high protein food. Because they need to somehow work off that protein, or it could turn into fat (is my understanding, anyways). Protein is not going to hurt anything in the long run though unless your dog has an underlying issue, i.e.: liver disease/issues, etc. I believe that dogs are meant to eat a grainless diet and do better on it, however I also don't think ALL grains are bad. But even though protein has never been proven to cause any issues, I still won't feed over 40% protein food. I don't really know why. I suppose I feel "safer" feeding one in the 30%'s and feel that's the best level for Jackson's lifestyle.

Jackson eats Nature's Variety Instinct (35% protein) right now and I am going to begin rotating that with Fromm Surf n' Turf grainless (30% protein). He's a very active dog though most of the time. Weekly trips to the dog park, as often as possible, and a lot of walks. The winter he's not as active but I'm not going to take him off his food. He only seems to like grainless food and has never liked others. He has used to have terrible eye boogers and more poop when not on a grainless so we're sticking with it. :)

Hi :).

To be totally honest...this question makes me a little crazy...not bc it gets asked...but bc there is really no right or wrong answer.

Here is another brain twisting question: "How much carbohydrate is too much?" --and-- "What % of carb is ideal for yorkies?" -- ya know what I mean?

All I can tell you from my own research is that, yorkies are carnivores, and I am comfortable giving them species appropriate diets. I currently feed pre-made raw (Primal brand, have fed Nature's Variety). I've also homecooked. In the past, I fed Kibble. Kibbles I tend to support are Orijen, Solid Gold Barking at The Moon, some Natures Variety, Wellness CORE is decent.

The one that WoogieMan (Jim) feeds always looks interesting to me...shoot, what IS that one...AH!...Natures's Logic.

But ya know? At the end of the day...do what works for you, your dogs, your brain, your gut, your world, your research, ya know? :) :) :)

I think tghe theory is that more protein is needed for yorkies to keep a nice healty coat.

Royal Canin makes their yorkie formula at 28%. That is what I feed. If they have liver problems then that would be too high.

We should add this too:

**Carb can make a creature fat/cause issues
**Protein can make a creature fat/cause issues
**Fat can make a creature fat/cause issues

--->It has more to do w/ In/Out than carb/protein/fat

**Any individual ingredient can be a source of an issue/allergic or immune response of some sort

Like Ann (Wiley's mom) stated, there really is no right or wrong answer as to how much protein you should be feeding.
Some of my favorite kibbles are Orijen & EVO, which are both 40%+. I feed those becauseI personally like the carnivorous high protein /grain-free diets. Mine seems to prefer most grainless foods anyway, and that's what works for us. But, there's obviously nothing wrong with feeding a lower protein percentage food if that's what makes you most comfortable.

Yup :thumbup:...if there is truly ONE huge, ginormGANTIC thing this section has taught me...it is that which I put in red above.

There are times when threads/posts get so heated (and alienating) in here. Nothing wrong w/ good discussions, don't get me wrong!

But geeeesh, sometimes one would think if you feed a certain way, or thing, or ingredient - you were feeding arsenic or something, my goodness! :p :rolleyes:

I mean, yes, do some research...and learn about good, healthy, sound nutrition...and learn more if you want to...but don't snarl at people who are just trying to learn and/or whose dogs do just fine with this or that ingredient, ya know?

ginormGANTIC?? Ouch! LOL LOL :D :D

Great posts Ann- If there was ONE way, and ONE food that's best, we'd all be feeding it, right? That would be too easity though...:p

LOL :D!

You just made up a new word too: EASITY! :p

You would fit *right in* in the photography "florum", girl!

I REALLY felt that I had found the PERFECT food with the GF Acana. Within a week of switching from Wellness Core to Acana my girls coats got more shiny!

Now they are changing their recipe!!!:mad:

from what Ive read though, its for the better??? Or am I wrong?? I just started the wild prairie, the new "improved" version of prairie harvest, so the change wont effect my dogs. Is there a reason why you wont keep them on it?? My dogs love it and as of today are doing very well on it.

Please let me know what you think.. thanks..

Here's a good white paper to read that Orijen put out, it reveals a lot of information about protein in a dogs diet.

http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/ORIJEN_White_Paper.pdf

Here you can follow the debate on here
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-new-post.html

thanks, I read that post already, that post is what started my search on it. I have a link to a different dog forum that explains all the changes if you would like to see it, I wont post it on here but I would be happy to PM it to you. After reading that I was confident that my pets were still on a good grain free food. I thought maybe you had found out something new. :). My dogs seem happy and have adjusted well to the Acana so for now Im going to keep them on it.