Low Protein Question

kfd0326 · 01-15-2007, 12:31 PM

I'm new so if this question has been asked please forgive me. I have a 5 year old sheltie with some health issues, kidney disease & arthritis are the main concerns. The vet put her on Hills K/D but she is gaining weight and I don't want to strain her joints any further. I will be talking to the vet tonight but when I brought up weight issue at the start of this I was told it wasn't a concern as dogs don't gain weight on low protein diets. I have cut out all treats, so the only thing she eats is her dog food. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good quality lower protein diet that is also relative low in fat/carbs? I am trying to increase exercise but with the damp weather we've been having getting her to walk is difficult.

Cheetah · 01-22-2007, 11:11 PM

My dog only lost weight when I stopped feeding low-protein, high-carb, high-grain diets. How low of protein are you needing, percentage-wise? Eevee's on Canidae which has 20% crude protein. Canidae's Platinum formula is a weight management formula which I had put Eevee on first to reduce her weight, and it has 18.5% crude protein, and is lower in grains/carbs than some foods. Specified meats are the first TWO ingredients (rather than grains being first) in even the formula meant for weight management.

kfd0326 · 01-24-2007, 09:25 AM

The food from the vet was 12% protein with 18% fat (those are the dry matter percentages) as I have learnt to actually compare food on a equal basis one should convert the figures to a dry matter formula instead of just what is on the outside of the bag. My concern with the fat content was the risk for pancreatitis, I have found a food with 16% protein and only 9% fat since my first post. I can imagine that it must be difficult but maybe some day one of the better dog food companies will be able to make a food available that will rivial the kidney foods that the vets offer.

Thank you for your input and I will check out the Canidae food to see if it is a better option for us.

Lorina · 01-24-2007, 09:34 AM

Ask your vet if Hill's G/D might be an option. It's often prescribed for mild kidney disease.