[Striker2807]

OK there is a lot of debate when it comes to dogs and the amount of protein now I know you need to make sure and not give a puppy too much protein, but my question is about adult dogs.

Now I have been told adult dogs don't need high levels of protein unless they are "working" dogs. Now the funny thing I found about this statement is that most high performances formulas and those made for "working" dogs don't have much more protein then a puppy food.

I only ask because I have 3 dogs in the house now 2 on Blue buffalo Fish and Sweet Potato and then my puppy on Blue buffalo Chicken and Rice and I am trying to figure what I am going to switch my puppy to when she gets older. I am thinking about going grainless and food the Blue Buffalo Wilderness food.

So what is your guys opinions on grainless and high levels of protein? I have heard that high levels of protein can cause dogs to be overweight, but after reading articles I have learned that protein isn't stored as fat, but is used in the production of fat and it is in fact the grains (carbohydrates) that are stored as fat.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

[briteday]

Grains are carbohydrates (there are three components to all food resources...protein, fat, carbs). Carbs are broken down into simple sugars after they are ingested. These simple sugars are what fuels the brain and muscles. Whatever sugars are not utilized by the body within a few hours after ingestion are converted to fat for storage. Thus, we know that high carb (sugar) diets results in high lipid (fat) when we check with blood tests. If the dog needs an energy source before his next meal, the fat (previously carbs) can be re-converted to sugar to fuel the brain and muscles. However, most dogs do not have that need. So the fat remains stored as fat.

Protein is used by the body as building blocks for cell growth and replacement. Excess is excreted by the kidneys.

I have one dog that gained a large amount of weight in a short time. I took her to the vet for a thyroid test thinking age had caused a hormonal imbalance. Her thyroid test was normal. We switched her food from kibble (it was 60% carbs) to a raw diet of only meat (with included fat) and bone. She lost the weight within 6 months.

We continue to feed a raw diet to all of our dogs. In the process we also discovered that the previously mentioned obese dog stopped licking her feet raw. The vet determined that she probably has a grain intolerance as well. There are no studies that I know of showing that dogs need grains, or a minimum level of carbs in the diet either. Our dogs have done just fine (had blood work checked to prove it to myself after 18 months on raw) with just protein, fat, and rare carbohydrate of any kind in the diet. We have not fed any grain in over three years now.

So basically, carbs are a source of instant energy. It seems to me that the high carb foods should be listed as "working dog" food then. Protein is also good for high energy, working dogs...giving them the ability to increase muscle as needed for activity level. However, in the case of proteins, the excess is eliminated through the kidneys (would not feed a high protein diet to a dog with poor kidney function, but it does not CAUSE kidney problems in healthy dogs). Excess carbs, on the other hand, are stored as fat.

[Muddpupppies]

People think becaue need grains that our pets need grains too. Dogs do not need grains. Being on a grain free food is probally better. A Lot of dogs who are on grain diets are developing alleriges and skin issues. If you go to http://www.championpetfoods.com/orijen/about/ thay have a great product plus they have a reshearch report about why high protein is good. Even if you go with another food their report is still good to read. Its a little long but its a good read.

Megan

[Striker2807]

Thanks a lot for the input! I have read about much of what you said, but I never knew if it was fact or fiction because you always hear protein cause kidney problems, which doesn't as you said, and dogs need carbohydrates...etc

So it is really great to hear from someone that hasn't fed their dog carbohydrates in 3 years that their dog couldn't be doing better.

[Muddpupppies]

New studies are coming out that if your dog doesnt have a kidney or liver problem then high portiens will actually help prevent any problem. Dogs really dont need carbs they use the portiens to get their energy from.

Megan

[wyx]

Originally Posted by Muddpupppies

People think becaue need grains that our pets need grains too.

People don't need grains either.

[Striker2807]

I know when I previously posted this I said you need to watch the level of protein that your puppy gets, but I was just looking at Orijen puppy formula and is has 42% protein. If you go and read their "white paper" it says that puppies have higher protein requirements then adults. Anyone ever hear anything like that I was always told and read puppies shouldn't be fed large levels of protein.