[pupkiss]

I am thinking of switching to Evo all meat or redmeat. I have one concern, which is that one of my dogs has epilepsy and is on 60 mg of phenobarbitol a day. Just wondering because I know the phen. is hard on her liver. I have heard that high protein is also hard on the liver. Is this true? Right now she is on Canidae, but I've heard the new formula includes barley and millet and if she gets too many grains, she licks her front legs like crazy.

My other dog is 9 yrs old and very healthy, would be fine on Evo I think. I just don't want to switch if it's going to be another concern for my epileptic girls liver.

[Willowy]

I believe that the purported bad effects from high protein are concentrated on the kidneys, no effect on the liver. However, most of those studies were looking at high protein in general (even from grains), not necessarily high meat protein. High-quality meat protein is not a problem for an adult dog.

[RawFedDogs]

Originally Posted by Willowy

However, most of those studies were looking at high protein in general (even from grains), not necessarily high meat protein. High-quality meat protein is not a problem for an adult dog.

Thats exactly correct. Meat protein is very easy on a dog's digestive system and kidneys.

[kenRC51]

Grain less kibbles is the closest you can get to a dogs natural diet then Raw feed. Stitch is on Innova EVO and she does really good on it. Nice softer fur and poop a frimer and lesser. When her poop dries it turns kinda white and will turn to almost ash like if you pick them up with pressure.

[wyx]

EVO is low in carbohydrate so it should be easier on the liver than feeds high in carbs. High carb diets are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is functionally the same thing as cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism.

Actually a very low carb (ketogenic) diet is probably the best thing you can do for your epileptic dog. Ketogenic diets have been used for years to treat epileptic children with significant success and no bad side effects. I don't know if EVO is quite low enough to be ketogenic, but it's one of the lowest carb kibbles I've seen.

[poodleholic]

I have annual bloodwork done on my Standard Poodles, both of whom have been on EVO (rotate red meat and chicken) for 3 yrs. or more. They're doing great.