What is your opinion on the amount of protein in a pup's diet? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

JenS · 01-23-2009, 12:52 PM

I apologize if anyone is tiring of seeing my many posts regarding food for my babies...I can't help from obsessing over this issue!

I've been researching grain-free kibble. We are in the process of changing our adult maltipoo's food from Pedigree (okay, now I know it's not a good choice

) to EVO. The EVO is our first grain free to try and she is eating it okay (we're still mixing in her old food at the moment). We are hoping to get our two yorkie babies (almost 9 weeks now) off of RC to a grain free as well (we'd LOVE for all three to eat the same food!).

My question...during my research, I have noticed very differing opinions about how much protein is good for a dog's diet. I'm torn on this issue, so please share your thoughts on this with me. If you have articles or websites share those as well.

PrincessDiana · 01-23-2009, 01:38 PM

My personal belief is the higher the protein the better! However, this belief also has a couple conditions. The first being that your pup is not liver compromised. Obviously if he/she has high risk of liver shunt, high protein is not a good idea. Also, different protein levels work for different dogs. What one day may thrive on may be too rich for another. I think it's just a process of trial and error. As long as your pup is healthy and active, there is nothing wrong with high levels of protein!

BonBon · 01-23-2009, 02:01 PM

I have a 13 year old, a 2 year old and two 10 month old yorkies. I've found that, as a group, those foods with protein %'s in the 30's work best for us. We're doing a rotation using grain free kibble and raw. Our kibbles have been Wellness Core Ocean, TOTW Pacific Stream, Instinct Rabbit and we'll soon be using Instinct Duck & Turkey.

Good luck!

Yorkiekids · 01-23-2009, 05:08 PM

I've noticed a lot of people posting about rotating their food. Why do you do this? Is it healthier for the dog?

PrincessDiana · 01-23-2009, 05:34 PM

Yes, I am a firm believer in rotation and variety. First of all - wouldn't you want to switch it up if you ate the same thing 3 times a day every single day? Second - frequent rotation helps prevent allergies; eating the same protein source all the time can cause a dog to develop an allergy to it.

JenS · 01-24-2009, 07:41 AM

Thanks for your replies! I know this is somewhat of a controversial issue, but I really wanted to get some opinions from my fellow yorkietakers.

Diana- thanks for mentioning the rotation...I hadn't really thought of that before. Now I have something else to research.

MissSophie · 01-24-2009, 08:06 AM

I am very glad to see this thread. Our baby is now 7 1/2. When she was about 15 weeks old, we were giving her Science Diet, but she kept eating that cat food. She suddenly got very sick and was diagnosed with kidney failure. Our vet blamed the cat food, saying that it was high in protein, and this caused the kidney failure. I was also told that by the wife of our zoo director (who is also a zoo professional and biology teacher). Low and behold, my husband read the cat food label, and the puppy food had more protein than the dog food. So I have been very confused ever since.

hugz4all4 · 01-24-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

Yes, I am a firm believer in rotation and variety. First of all - wouldn't you want to switch it up if you ate the same thing 3 times a day every single day? Second - frequent rotation helps prevent allergies; eating the same protein source all the time can cause a dog to develop an allergy to it.

if you keep rotating the food do you still have to introduce it slowly over the 7 days every time or do they stay use to the different foods?

Titus mom · 01-24-2009, 02:38 PM

With all the debate over which dog food is the best. it sounds like it would make sense to play it safe and switch around with the ones that claim to be the best,most natural etc. I think I might try it. Thanks.

PrincessDiana · 01-24-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugz4all4

if you keep rotating the food do you still have to introduce it slowly over the 7 days every time or do they stay use to the different foods?

Yes, you don't want to cause any upset tummies. I have been told if you're just rotating flavors within the same brand, there is no transition necessary. However, I still do a short one.. maybe 3-4 days. If I'm switching brands completely we do a full transition and that one usually lasts about 6-7 days.

hugz4all4 · 01-25-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

Yes, you don't want to cause any upset tummies. I have been told if you're just rotating flavors within the same brand, there is no transition necessary. However, I still do a short one.. maybe 3-4 days. If I'm switching brands completely we do a full transition and that one usually lasts about 6-7 days.

thanks..

01-23-2009, 12:52 PM	#1
JenS Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: TN Posts: 87	What is your opinion on the amount of protein in a pup's diet? I apologize if anyone is tiring of seeing my many posts regarding food for my babies...I can't help from obsessing over this issue! I've been researching grain-free kibble. We are in the process of changing our adult maltipoo's food from Pedigree (okay, now I know it's not a good choice ) to EVO. The EVO is our first grain free to try and she is eating it okay (we're still mixing in her old food at the moment). We are hoping to get our two yorkie babies (almost 9 weeks now) off of RC to a grain free as well (we'd LOVE for all three to eat the same food!). My question...during my research, I have noticed very differing opinions about how much protein is good for a dog's diet. I'm torn on this issue, so please share your thoughts on this with me. If you have articles or websites share those as well.

01-23-2009, 01:38 PM	#2
PrincessDiana I ♥ Franklin & Maggie Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,068	My personal belief is the higher the protein the better! However, this belief also has a couple conditions. The first being that your pup is not liver compromised. Obviously if he/she has high risk of liver shunt, high protein is not a good idea. Also, different protein levels work for different dogs. What one day may thrive on may be too rich for another. I think it's just a process of trial and error. As long as your pup is healthy and active, there is nothing wrong with high levels of protein! __________________ Diana , Mommy to Franklin, Maggie, Oliver, and Millie - RIP Piper Last edited by PrincessDiana; 01-23-2009 at 01:40 PM.

01-23-2009, 02:01 PM	#3
BonBon Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With my yorkies Posts: 10,350	I have a 13 year old, a 2 year old and two 10 month old yorkies. I've found that, as a group, those foods with protein %'s in the 30's work best for us. We're doing a rotation using grain free kibble and raw. Our kibbles have been Wellness Core Ocean, TOTW Pacific Stream, Instinct Rabbit and we'll soon be using Instinct Duck & Turkey. Good luck! __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -- Author Unknown

01-23-2009, 05:08 PM	#4
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I've noticed a lot of people posting about rotating their food. Why do you do this? Is it healthier for the dog? __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

01-23-2009, 05:34 PM	#5
PrincessDiana I ♥ Franklin & Maggie Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,068	Yes, I am a firm believer in rotation and variety. First of all - wouldn't you want to switch it up if you ate the same thing 3 times a day every single day? Second - frequent rotation helps prevent allergies; eating the same protein source all the time can cause a dog to develop an allergy to it. __________________ Diana , Mommy to Franklin, Maggie, Oliver, and Millie - RIP Piper

01-24-2009, 07:41 AM	#6
JenS Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: TN Posts: 87	Thanks for your replies! I know this is somewhat of a controversial issue, but I really wanted to get some opinions from my fellow yorkietakers. Diana- thanks for mentioning the rotation...I hadn't really thought of that before. Now I have something else to research.

01-24-2009, 08:06 AM	#7
MissSophie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 807 Blog Entries: 1	I am very glad to see this thread. Our baby is now 7 1/2. When she was about 15 weeks old, we were giving her Science Diet, but she kept eating that cat food. She suddenly got very sick and was diagnosed with kidney failure. Our vet blamed the cat food, saying that it was high in protein, and this caused the kidney failure. I was also told that by the wife of our zoo director (who is also a zoo professional and biology teacher). Low and behold, my husband read the cat food label, and the puppy food had more protein than the dog food. So I have been very confused ever since. __________________ Sophie's Mom : Last edited by MissSophie; 01-24-2009 at 08:08 AM.

01-24-2009, 02:38 PM	#9
Titus mom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orland Park, Il Posts: 10	With all the debate over which dog food is the best. it sounds like it would make sense to play it safe and switch around with the ones that claim to be the best,most natural etc. I think I might try it. Thanks.