[LunarFlame]

I've been reading up on dog foods, and decided that I would like to feed my soon-to-be pup Orijen. I picked up a small starter pack to use to mix with the food my pup is currently eating at the breeders.' But as I was reading, I have seen a few reviews of Orijen that says it may have too much protein for a puppy, despite it being made for pups.

So why is too much protein a bad thing? What could it do to my dog? I am having a hard time finding info on this to help me understand why it may be harmful. Should I feed my pup something else, or is Orijen Puppy ok?

[CinnamintStick]

I think a English Setter is a Large Breed puppy. At least my English Setter is Large. You will find alot on line about feeding a large breed puppy. Here is one link. http://www.newmanveterinary.com/large.html

[BoxMeIn21]

Honestly I wouldn't bother with "size" specific formula. Most of the time the only difference is in the packaging. It is more sensible to look at the ingredients and macronutrient breakdown to assess whether or not it's suitable for your dog.

Originally Posted by LunarFlame

So why is too much protein a bad thing? What could it do to my dog? I am having a hard time finding info on this to help me understand why it may be harmful. Should I feed my pup something else, or is Orijen Puppy ok?

There are some veterinary studies that name excess protein fed to still-growing pups as a factor increasing the risk of musculoskeltal disorders. Other studies say it is not a factor.

Personally, I am inclined to believe that in a few years time - when these sorts of dry foods have been around long enough for anyone to tell - that we will find out that higher amounts of protein is not a factor in development of musculoskeletal disorders. But that's my humble opinion only, based primarily on the fact that these are not issues when pups are fed similarly high protein raw, homecooked or canned food diets.
Really, there hasn't been a definitive answer either way. So while it's a good thing to bring to your attention - it is up to you to decide whether to feed this diet to your growing pup, or whether to wait until the pup has finished growing.

[RawFedDogs]

Originally Posted by LunarFlame

So why is too much protein a bad thing? What could it do to my dog?

There is no such thing as too much protein for a carnivore ... even baby ones. Protein is the building block for animals. Orijen is mostly animal protein and won't give your pup any problems because of the protein level.

[flipgirl]

Originally Posted by RawFedDogs

There is no such thing as too much protein for a carnivore ... even baby ones. Protein is the building block for animals. Orijen is mostly animal protein and won't give your pup any problems because of the protein level.

So then why is cat food not good for dogs? It's higher in protein because cats require a much higher amount. Too much of anything is bad for anyone, animal or human. I do think that many foods have too many fillers and carbs but keep in mind that these high protein foods have a higher percentage of fat to help digest the protein. I'm not saying that these foods are bad but just another thing to think about.

Is there any literature out there which compared dogs fed kibble with grains versus a grainless, high protein kibble?

[kimel]

I believe that cat food contains other ingredients in high levels (taurine for one if memory serves) which are good for cats but that are not good for dogs.

[RawFedDogs]

Originally Posted by flipgirl

So then why is cat food not good for dogs? It's higher in protein because cats require a much higher amount.

I think the big difference is that cat food has more added taurine.

Too much of anything is bad for anyone, animal or human. I do think that many foods have too many fillers and carbs but keep in mind that these high protein foods have a higher percentage of fat to help digest the protein.

I did exagurate that a little. Besides protein, dogs do need fat, bone, and organs in the diet but should be mostly protein.

Is there any literature out there which compared dogs fed kibble with grains versus a grainless, high protein kibble?

No, the only studies on kibble are only to prove that 3/4's of dogs can survive 6 months while eating it. No other studies have been done.

[Willowy]

Taurine IS good for dogs, they're looking into a required minimum in dog food now. It's present in meat, so most dogs get some taurine anyway. Eating cat food will not kill a dog, but he'll probably get fat . Cat food is higher in fat and calories.

[RawFedDogs]

Cats are one of the few mammals that cannot make taurine internally so they need it in their diet. Dogs make their own taurine internally so it's not a required part of their diet.

I feed my cats a raw diet so all the taurine they need is in the meat they eat. I never add anymore.

[DogsforMe]

The puppy food I feed my 7 m/o pup has 26% protein. In an ideal world all dogs would be fed a raw natural diet. How did they survive for thousands of years before us humans invented processed dog food.

[LunarFlame]

Wow everyone, thanks for this information! I really appreciate it!

[AkiraleShiba]

I have been feeding Akira Orijen since we have him and he has a gorgeous shiny coat that does not smell or is greasy. On top of that he's developed a lean muscular mass, he's full of health and only does one or two dark firm poops everyday.

I went trough the same questioning as you before we started feeding him high protein kibble since objective information is so rare but there are a few things that I have understood:

• Just as for humans, cereals after eaten metabolise into sugar if you have eaten more than you have used. Thus over time it leads to weight gain and eventually diabetes and heart problems.
• For dogs kidneys it's actually cereals' proteins that are hard to pass trough and damage them overtime. On the guarenteed analysis cereal and meat proteins are added up to make the percentage on the label. A kibble 100% cereal protein will damage your dog kidney over time and is not the same thing as 100% meat protein.
• A dog is able to digest about 50% cereals, 90% meat and 100% eggs so depending on what's he's eating he'll eliminate more and eat more
• Studies that were done to say that too much proteins were bad for dogs were made on rats and after they extrapolated their conclusions to dogs. However rats do not eat meat. If you go on Royal Canin website you can read that their scientists found no adverse results feeding dogs a high meat protein diet even when young or disabled.
• Finally you dog will only metabolise the protein he needs and eliminate what he does not through urine. Unlike cereal protein it does not build up in his system in the form of sugar.

Finally, it's the best food I've found for my dog especially since there is no dangerous colours or preservatives like BHT. Over all it might not be perfect because as for humans, we don't know what's the dog optimal or natural diet. However my eyes see a happy little dog full of health that does not have the usual problems related to kibble such as dry coat, bloating, weight gain, greasy fur, etc. If you think it's good for your dog feed it to him, give yourself a month or more to see how he does on it and then you'll see with your own eyes how's your dog doing.

[dusty&lulusmom]

I know this may not answer your initial question of too much protien for a pup but I can tell you from experience that I was feeding (before I was educated on dog food) all the "crappy" foods: kibbles and bits, ol roy, alpo, etc. My dog lived on this diet up to age 10. At that time I adopted two other dogs and it was around the time of the dog food recall. I decided to do some research. I made some changes in how my dogs are fed. Currently my dogs are now on a diet of half EVO kibble (very high in protien) and half homecooked food. The homecooked food is mainly meat, then some vegis, then pumpkin or sweet potato. Anyway what I really want to point out is the HUGE change I have seen in my older dog, now 12. She looks better than she ever has. She can now jump on the couch again, she can climb the stairs with less difficulty. Her eyes are bright and her coat is shiny. Her daily walks have increased to daily "trots" and she is able to go further. She rarely has any problems with her anal glands which was a chronic problem before. I really believe that by making the changes to higher protien and overall healthier diet I have added several years to her life. I only wish I knew all the information I know now about diets when she was younger.