High Protein and Senoirs

goatman68

I don't know what to do, we are doing a urine sample on Monday. But do I keep her on the Fromm, she can not eat chicken  and I do not know of a senoir food that does not contain some type of chicken or grain. Ugh!  I am worried.

My old lady did fine on Natural Balance's LID line. IIRC, the protein levels are moderate (I'd venture to say 'low', especially in the duck and potato) and they are grain free.

High protein does not cause kidney and/or liver failure.  There is some thought that too much protein can potentially harm the kidney and liver if the one or each of the organs is already malfunctioning in some way.  With kidney disease, the factor to watch is phosphorus intake.

Also, it has been recently discovered that seniors need a moderate (not low) amount of protein to prevent muscle wasting. (somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-28% protein on a dry matter basis)

Some articles to consider:

http://www.dogaware.com/articles/wdjseniordiets.html

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=feeding_senior_dogs

http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/is-it-necessary-to-reduce-protein-in-the-diet/

But, if you are not comfortable with feeding a food with those levels of protein, you can always try one the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets--most are grain free, and do not contain chicken.

 I didn't think older dogs needed a Senior food? I thought an ALS food was fine for them. Could be wrong here, stranger things have happened.

You are correct----that is the point behind all of the aforementioned articles.  Most ALS foods have a moderate amount of protein (24-28%).  Many senior dogs are less active, so it may be important to watch their fat intake.

 Yeah me! I finally got something right.

Thank you guys for your replys, i am taking a urine sample in Monday, to make sure everything is ok there.

Our vet is odd, she doesn't like anyone doing things out of her norm, like using food she does not sell. And I think she may be off with the food causing a problem, but the test will tell us.  I am just worried about Pella now, she is my babe and I want to make sure things are ok with her. She seems like her normal self, so I can't just blow off everything the vet says.

I think I may go back to Natural Balance, and take a look at it again, I had tried it once awhile back.

Anyway, thanks.

tzu_mom

High protein does not cause kidney and/or liver failure.  There is some thought that too much protein can potentially harm the kidney and liver if the one or each of the organs is already malfunctioning in some way.  With kidney disease, the factor to watch is phosphorus intake.

Also, it has been recently discovered that seniors need a moderate (not low) amount of protein to prevent muscle wasting. (somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-28% protein on a dry matter basis)

    Purina did a study that showed senior dogs on a lower protein diet did not live as long as those on a higher protein diet. I can't remember the exact amounts of protein they used, but Purina senior foods are 26 to 28% protein depending on the line. Royal Canin did a similar study. I have learned from working with Monica Segal on a diet for Jessie, who will soon be twelve, that dogs need at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight or they will have muscle wasting. The type of protein is important too; the first ingredient in the food should be a meat meal.  Foods with corn as the main protein source will cause muscle wasting, even if the total amount of protein is adequate, because corn lacks some of the amino acids needed to support muscle tissue. I add some lean turkey to Jessie's food (she can't have chicken either) to ensure she gets enough protein.

This get more interesting as I get more information.  The food Pella is on now is 24% protein and the first ingredient is Salmon.  She is 10yrs old and weighs 73 lbs

Can't wait to get her test results, then I can hopefully, not worry about it.

Thanks