Too much protein? Grain free?
 

What do you feed and why? I see some saying grain free is too much protein and some swear by grain free. How would you know if it was too much protein?

:aimeeyork

How old is your dog? Growing puppies red more protein than adults. I feed moderate protein -- just enough to maintain their muscle stores.

That's a good question! No science based links handy to post but I THINK it really comes down to the individual dog, health, age, size and activity level. That's the comment that seems to be a common or most prominent theme of similar questions.

You want something your dog will eat and you want something that has a good balance of nutrition. I personally feel, like humans and other animals, higher proteins and nutritional levels, coupled with activity and exercise, are most important during the growing years. Once a healthy body is created, it's a maintenance issue of nutrition and activity. Some of the nutrition levels could be reduced once an animal is and adult. Again, like humans, if the food is too rich, problems will occur but may be years down the road and not attributed to, linked to, the food they ate.

You might try a search here and the web: nutritional requirements for a healthy yorkshire terrier.

I prefer a higher protein diet for both humans and animals. Carbs are SO easily converted to fat if not burned, and I like a higher protein/carb ratio - I just think it's healthier and leaner and better for the body overall too in terms of inflammation.

I feed pre-made raw to my 3 and have for about 6 years or so - either Primal or Natures Variety. It's higher protein and I love it for them.

I can certainly agree with that, I should have been more clear on "rich". LOL Excessive fats, sugars or ingredients easily converted to sugars and thereby fats. Need a balance in there, leaning towards lean for better health and longevity. ;)

Here is "science based and positive clinical trial outcomes" ....

"Species and Growth Stage Recommended Protein % Recommended Fat %:

Puppy 28% 17%

Adult dog 18% 9-15%

Performance dog 25% 20%

Racing sled dog 35% 50%

Lactating dog 28% 17%

This is from the extensive work/scientific research/clinical trials done by RC in their labs/production facility. This is information I have in my files...it is several years old and it may have changed....guess I need to contact them and get that info if it needs to be updated.

I agree with this and I know that for my own diet, especially as I've aged, I do better on a high protein no grain diet, much easier to keep my weight in check. Dogs are slightly more carnivorous than I am, so I think as they age, high protein might be helpful as well. Quality protein is expensive and tests probably show the minimum level needed rather than the optimum level, just as they do with human vitamins.

For anyone interested, Ohio State University Vet School has a wonderful site where they discuss nutrition and present some charts and percentages for pet diets....I have NO idea how to do link things, but if you type in Veterinary Medical Center | College of Veterinary Medicine, you will see a lot of valuable information....there are lots of topics running down the right hand side of the page, that provides a lot of clarity and explanation regarding pet foods and pet nutrition. (not a subsidiary of RC!!!)

Haven't found the chart yet, but to link things, all you have to do is right click on the address where it says "http://www. ect. right click on that a menu will come up and you can choose the word, "copy". The address will be held in the computer's memory until you are ready to "paste" it To paste an address, right click anywhere on the message screen, and select the word "paste."

When I re-read my post, it was auto changed I guess...that is NOT what I had typed in for people to put....let me try again....vet.osu.edu/vmc/diet manual....

Oh good! It didnt change it this time!

They are both the same address, one just gives the name, of the site, but take you to the same spot.

It is not just a graph....it is their take on nutrition...if you look down the right hand side of the page, it lists a bunch of different related topics on nutrition, diets, myths, etc.....at least on my computer it does!

I prefer a grain free diet. . . I try to give Galen the healthiest food I can find.

I think you are trying to link people here.

This site does indeed have some wonderful info - thanks for thinking of it! :)

I think people need to consider quality of protein before being into total amount of protein. I recently had a discussion with a veterinary nutritionist about this and she feels that lowering the total protein but raising the quality of it in terms of amino acid profile is a better long term move for the health of the dog. Rather than paraphrase, I'll cut and paste her words:

"You are hooked on total protein when in fact the dog does not have a total protein requirement – despite AAFCO’s attempt to regulate the dog food products. The final total protein amount in the diet is really irrelevant to nutrition b/c you balance a diet to meet the essential amino acid requirements. In fact when you meet the known amino acid requirement of the dog and then total up the subsequent amount of protein in the diet you get about 10% of the dry matter when using a high quality protein. Foods that use poorer quality (poor amino acid profile) protein sources (beef, lamb and veg for example) have to use excessive amounts of nitrogen to meet the essential amino acid profile. Most dog owners never hear this and worry needlessly about total protein in a diet when the dog actually needs amino acids. Sorry but he physically is an adult (6 yrs old) so there is no more growth only maintenance of protein stores are needed. In fact he is entering into the last half of his expected life span and odds are high he has yet detectable renal changes. Blood renal values do not rise above normal until there has been ~75% loss in function. Disturbing but true and is why better formulated foods, lower total protein but raise the quality of the amino acid profile in their food. A smart long term move that goes unrewarded in the market place."

Definitely food for thought.

I totally agree that quality of protein is more important than quantity. That's one of the reasons, I suggest people pass on those products that contain meat by-products or chicken by-products.

By-products can contain organ meats, bone, etc which some people believe are healthy to animals.

I should have been more specific, and said people should avoid those food whose number one source of protein is from animal byproducts. No doubt about it, some of the by-products can be healthy, but when the by- product is the main source of protein, you are not getting any quality protein. Muscle meat is considered a quality protein and by-products have everything but muscle meat. Since chicken meal contains bones as well as muscle meat, and I don't think there's a real need for by-products, but I understand that when you are feeding a 70 pound dog, by-products could help keep the cost down substantially. If I were choosing a food that contained animals by-products as the main source of protein, I definitely would not want it to be high protein.

Thank you Ann!!! That is it!!