The Protein Conundrum - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Sweet Apple · 10-02-2009, 12:11 PM

So many of us have searched and researched for the best food for our little ones...And we have discussed the protein content pros and cons extensively...It seems everyone who feeds raw (and I just got on the band-wagon) feels we have chosen the very best food...My question is, if dry foods such as Evo have up to 42% protein, and another dry food, such as Instinct, have about 35% protein, then is raw food, w/an average of 13% protein as adequate? Or, is it, that the components in raw food are more readily digestible and utilized...Btw, I'm off work today, and have chosen to do nothing but think about my dog, what she's eating, and what everybody elses dog is eating...lol...I was thinking I needed to "get a life", but then it suddenly occurred to me, this is my life lolol...

Ellie May · 10-02-2009, 12:27 PM

That's what I do all day too.

Raw (along with canned and homecooked) have to be converted to a dry matter basis to be able to compare the protein % with kibble. Divide the protein by the reciprocal of the moisture. If it is 13% protein and 70% moisture, then it would be 13 divided 30 (100-70). If it is 15% protein and 75% moisture, then it would be 15 divided by 25 (100-75).

Sweet Apple · 10-02-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

That's what I do all day too.

Raw (along with canned and homecooked) have to be converted to a dry matter basis to be able to compare the protein % with kibble. Divide the protein by the reciprocal of the moisture. If it is 13% protein and 70% moisture, then it would be 13 divided 30 (100-70). If it is 15% protein and 75% moisture, then it would be 15 divided by 25 (100-75).

I should have know you would be the one w/the answer!!!...You are an endless information vessel lol...So if it is 13% protein and 68% moisture, is it comparable to 40% dry kibble protein?

Ellie May · 10-02-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

I should have know you would be the one w/the answer!!!...You are an endless information vessel lol...So if it is 13% protein and 68% moisture, is it comparable to 40% dry kibble protein?

Well, 41% if we want to get technical.

All you are doing is taking out the water because it can't be counted when figuring nutrient levels. Happy math-ing.

Sweet Apple · 10-02-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Well, 41% if we want to get technical.

All you are doing is taking out the water because it can't be counted when figuring nutrient levels. Happy math-ing.

Well, I got .40625, unless I'm doing it wrong...But I guess you could say you would round it off to the next digit lol...Bottom line is I'm back to wondering if 41% is too much But, no way am I stopping the raw, unless there is an issue, because I have never ever ever seen Apple so happy w/her mealtime...warms a mom's heart to be sure

Ellie May · 10-02-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

Well, I got .40625, unless I'm doing it wrong...But I guess you could say you would round it off to the next digit lol...Bottom line is I'm back to wondering if 41% is too much But, no way am I stopping the raw, unless there is an issue, because I have never ever ever seen Apple so happy w/her mealtime...warms a mom's heart to be sure

Yup, I round up.
A food that is really only 13% protein would be reserved for pups with illnesses (i.e. kidney disease).

Sweet Apple · 10-02-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Yup, I round up.
A food that is really only 13% protein would be reserved for pups with illnesses (i.e. kidney disease).

Thanks Chrystal for all your info....I'm glad I got to the bottom of protein vs. protein... Now I'm off to the grocery store to get myself some protein...Apple has more food in this house, than I do

AMD · 10-02-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

So many of us have searched and researched for the best food for our little ones...And we have discussed the protein content pros and cons extensively...It seems everyone who feeds raw (and I just got on the band-wagon) feels we have chosen the very best food...My question is, if dry foods such as Evo have up to 42% protein, and another dry food, such as Instinct, have about 35% protein, then is raw food, w/an average of 13% protein as adequate? Or, is it, that the components in raw food are more readily digestible and utilized...Btw, I'm off work today, and have chosen to do nothing but think about my dog, what she's eating, and what everybody elses dog is eating...lol...I was thinking I needed to "get a life", but then it suddenly occurred to me, this is my life lolol...

That confused me too, the first time I picked up some raw.

AMD · 10-02-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

So many of us have searched and researched for the best food for our little ones...And we have discussed the protein content pros and cons extensively...It seems everyone who feeds raw (and I just got on the band-wagon) feels we have chosen the very best food...My question is, if dry foods such as Evo have up to 42% protein, and another dry food, such as Instinct, have about 35% protein, then is raw food, w/an average of 13% protein as adequate? Or, is it, that the components in raw food are more readily digestible and utilized...Btw, I'm off work today, and have chosen to do nothing but think about my dog, what she's eating, and what everybody elses dog is eating...lol...I was thinking I needed to "get a life", but then it suddenly occurred to me, this is my life lolol...

That confused me too, the first time I picked up some raw.

Pup-e-Love · 10-03-2009, 03:09 PM

Okay, I new to all of this, so this seems a little overwhelming to me. In dry food, it is better to have a higher amount of protein? Sorry for sounding so ignorant on this issue, I'm still learning.

Sweet Apple · 10-03-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pup-e-Love

Okay, I new to all of this, so this seems a little overwhelming to me. In dry food, it is better to have a higher amount of protein? Sorry for sounding so ignorant on this issue, I'm still learning.

Well, it's not better or worse regarding the percentage of protein...It's just what you, as the mom, feel is best for your baby...People seem to use food w/protein from about 26% to 42%...I think if you are using a really high percentage w/protein, you would need to be sure your yorkie got lots of exercise to work it off...If you started noticing "hot spots", which are little sores that can come out from having too much protein, then maybe it would be time to cut down on the protein...I just started raw, and it's about 41% protein, so I'll just see how Apple does, and if she's doing well on that much, then we'll just stay w/that...If she starts showing signs of having too much protein, I'll probably give her raw, once a day, and dry, w/a lower protein for the 2nd meal...

Pup-e-Love · 10-03-2009, 05:57 PM

Thanks Sweet Apple! This is so good to know! YorkieTalk is such a wonderful place to get info!

marcerella02 · 10-03-2009, 06:03 PM

raw and home cooked can be overwhelming- especially if you have to deal with converting or dealing with supplements. Crystal is ALWAYS a wealth of info

She's my go to gal!

Crystal- when talking about home made- how do you know the % of protein, moisture ect?

Sweet Apple · 10-03-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcerella02

raw and home cooked can be overwhelming- especially if you have to deal with converting or dealing with supplements. Crystal is ALWAYS a wealth of info

She's my go to gal!

Crystal- when talking about home made- how do you know the % of protein, moisture ect?

She certainly is!!! I'm really looking forward to the answer to this post

Ellie May · 10-04-2009, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcerella02

raw and home cooked can be overwhelming- especially if you have to deal with converting or dealing with supplements. Crystal is ALWAYS a wealth of info

She's my go to gal!

Crystal- when talking about home made- how do you know the % of protein, moisture ect?

It can be figured out by a trained nutritionist or a computer program (most vet nutritionists would have access to it). It should be laid out for you by them when they send you directions on the diet. If your nutritionist doesn't give you the guaranteed analysis, there is really no way to know if it meets AAFCO (or even NRC) guidelines for healthy dogs, so there is no standard to go by. The same would go for supplements, but I never got a breakdown of that for Ellie. Since her nutritionist said her recipe meets AAFCO guidelines (but of course wasn't tested in a feeding trial), I just go with it.

10-02-2009, 12:11 PM	#1
Sweet Apple Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 2,473	The Protein Conundrum So many of us have searched and researched for the best food for our little ones...And we have discussed the protein content pros and cons extensively...It seems everyone who feeds raw (and I just got on the band-wagon) feels we have chosen the very best food...My question is, if dry foods such as Evo have up to 42% protein, and another dry food, such as Instinct, have about 35% protein, then is raw food, w/an average of 13% protein as adequate? Or, is it, that the components in raw food are more readily digestible and utilized...Btw, I'm off work today, and have chosen to do nothing but think about my dog, what she's eating, and what everybody elses dog is eating...lol...I was thinking I needed to "get a life", but then it suddenly occurred to me, this is my life lolol...

10-02-2009, 12:27 PM	#2
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	That's what I do all day too. Raw (along with canned and homecooked) have to be converted to a dry matter basis to be able to compare the protein % with kibble. Divide the protein by the reciprocal of the moisture. If it is 13% protein and 70% moisture, then it would be 13 divided 30 (100-70). If it is 15% protein and 75% moisture, then it would be 15 divided by 25 (100-75). __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

10-03-2009, 06:03 PM	#13
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	raw and home cooked can be overwhelming- especially if you have to deal with converting or dealing with supplements. Crystal is ALWAYS a wealth of info She's my go to gal! Crystal- when talking about home made- how do you know the % of protein, moisture ect? __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

10-03-2009, 03:09 PM	#10
Pup-e-Love YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 896	Okay, I new to all of this, so this seems a little overwhelming to me. In dry food, it is better to have a higher amount of protein? Sorry for sounding so ignorant on this issue, I'm still learning.

10-03-2009, 05:57 PM	#12
Pup-e-Love YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 896	Thanks Sweet Apple! This is so good to know! YorkieTalk is such a wonderful place to get info!