BARK diet - Biologically Appropriate Real-food Kibble

ORIGINAL: jessies_mom

So, the high protein kibbles should be avoided no matter what the dogs age?

I hope you're not asking me because I don't know either but was thinking about including some EVO Red Meat in Jessie's rotation; now it doesn't seem like a good idea. I hadn't thought about the high ash until papillon mentioned it. I agree with you about these threads; they can be very helpful.

Oh, yes. They can be VERY helpful, my problem is that I realize just about everyday that I'm making SOME KIND of food mistake and they can make me VERY paranoid.

I hope you're not asking me because I don't know either but was thinking about including some EVO Red Meat in Jessie's rotation

I had been mixing in a little bit of EVO red meat until Wolfie threw up a little a few hours after eating a little bit every day (not a lot, but still room for concern).  When I took out the red meat he was fine.  I'm not sure if it was a coincidence or what...

I don't know anything about ash, or whatever, but I looked up something on Nature's Variety's website. So, here's a Q&A on ash, don't know if it'll be helpful though:



What is ash? Should I be concerned about the ash content in pet food?
First of all, ash is the inorganic mineral portion of any substance. When referring to dog and cat food, "ash content" is the mineral matter, including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and copper. The ash analysis does not reveal the percentage of each mineral, therefore it does not tell much about the food.1 It also does not tell much about the food's contribution to urinary tract infections, such as Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS). The latest findings show that urinary tract trouble occurs when the urine becomes too alkaline. So, some commercial foods now add extra acid. There are side effects from use of these acid formulations, however, and all they do is cover up the problem instead of curing it.


If ash isn't the problem, then what is? How do I prevent urinary tract problems?
There is much proof that feeding an obligate carnivore primarily a grain-based dry diet can contribute more to a urinary stone problem than any other single factor. The long-term dehydration that occurs causes concentrated urine and places considerable strain on the kidneys.1 Feeding poor-quality food to pets results in toxicity and an excessive elimination load on the lining of the urinary system.2

By contrast, a diet of meat, bones, and organs contains a mineral content - or ash content - that is not synthetic or artificial. When a whole food substance is ingested, the animal has a very slim chance of developing a mineral imbalance. Taking in nutrients as they occur in their natural state or as a whole food source will prevent the animal from concentrating minerals or vitamins, thus causing health issues.


That is from [linkhttp://naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1221&-session=naturesvariety:43BA4C90140ba31340tPInPA87BB]Nature's Variety[/link]

I do not agree with a few of NV's statements.  Ash content DOES contributes to urinary issues because the excess buildup of calcium collects in the kidneys causing stones and/or poor filtration.

Well,i've just googled the: High protein diets and large breeds myth opinion. The correlation between most of them is to stay away from high protein diets if you have a large breed pup. Now the cal/phos thing makes complete sense to me,and that protein has an affect on a much lesser scale,but i just cant find anything to back this up [&:]

Can't find anything to back what up? 

Can't find anything to back what up?

That feeding high protein diet to large breed pups is a myth.

 In one of my earlier posts i mentioned someone (who's 9mth old GSD has pano) who blames high protein diets on most every bone and joint problem large breeds get [8|] She is dead set against high quality foods because "they are all high protein,which causes pano etc"[sm=banghead002.gif] I am trying to find a reputable site which debunks this(high protein) and points out that calcium is the one to watch..Not having much luck though.

http://www.petngarden.com/dogs/dogs56.php

http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/large_and_giant_breed_nutritional_research.htm

http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/health/nutritionarticle4.htm

http://www.doglogic.com/feeding.htm

http://b-naturals.com/Jan2004.php

It's not so much the protein in the food but the calcium amount that is in high protein foods.  This is why most associate the protein amount with joint issues.

Thanks Pap [sm=happy.gif]

Sooner what on earth would we do without you! [] Thanks so much for the links.

ETA: The 4th link indicates that high protein diets  cause excessive growth and therefore hightens the likliehood of pano etc.... OI! I guess there are hundreds of sites out there that will either say one or the other []

Okay with everyone talking about the ash content could someone please tell me where the info was I cant find it[&:].
 

I'll see if I can find it but there was a study that showed that long-term exposure to high protein did not cause kidney problems, but an ailing kidney would have problems. I think there is a study about high protein on puppies.

Okay with everyone talking about the ash content could someone please tell me where the info was I cant find it

 
  Here's the link that tells how much ash is in EVO;
  [linkxsl=//product%5B@id='1246'%5D]http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=nutrition-facts&xsl=//product%5B@id='1246'%5D[/link]>http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=nutrition-facts&xsl=//product%5B@id='1246'%5D]http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=nutrition-facts&xsl=//product%5B@id='1246'%5D[/link]