Dog Community

Kibble Protein Levels

Posted : 8/24/2008 12:58:13 PM

For someone like myself who has 2 completely different types of dogs (speaking metabolism)...what's your opinion on the best kibble that can be fed to both? Buddy is a 9 year old Lab (115 lbs) who has a low activity level. Heidi is a 19 month old GSD (60lbs) with a high activity level.

I had been feeding Innova for a long time, but with the cost, wanted to switch but not lose quality (and I wondered if it was Innova that caused her itchies). I switched to Eagle Pack Holistic Lamb which has a 22% protein level. They are doing just OK on it. Stools are good on both, Heidi is not nearly as itchy as she was on the Innova. Coat is not as shiny as I'd like to see though,

Now the feed store that I frequent just raised their prices. Argh! A 33 Lb bag will now be $48.00. for the EPH. Just $1 less than the Innova.

I've been thinking about Taste of the Wild. Been thinking about going grain free wondering if that may help the itchies that Heidi has. But, I'm concerned the protein level may be too high for Buddy as a senior. I was thinking about the Buffalo/Venison, but the protein level is 32%. Too high for him? And, would it be too much protein for my highly active youngster? We work hard as it is getting energy expended so she is easier to live with, ya know what I mean? Big Smile

A 30 Lb bag of TOTW is $42.00, and I'm sure I'd have to feed more because they would be taking in less calories.

Just exploring the possibilities.

ron2

Posted : 8/24/2008 4:57:54 PM

You can supplement your dog food with Nutricoat. Just a few drizzles. It's high in linoleic acid, which is excellent for the coat. Or find a food with more linoleic acid in it, if it's palatable to the dogs.

chelsea_b

Posted : 8/24/2008 6:10:12 PM

Senior dogs actually need MORE protein than younger dogs, because they don't utilize it as well. So all those low-protein senior foods can actually be harmful.

Cherokee is 10 and Jaz 8 1/2, and they both eat Wellness Core...so clearly I think thirty-some percent protein for older dogs is fine. I would actually worry more about Heidi if she's still growing (actually they usually say dogs under 2..but I guess if you somehow know she's done growing, it would be okay) and the calcium percentages in the foods. You want it to be under, say, 1.5%ish. Percentage matters less than grams of calcium consumed, but percentage is usually a decent guide..and figuring out grams is way more complicated than looking at the bag. Stick out tongue

kpwlee

Posted : 8/24/2008 6:52:08 PM

Higher protein is better for Buddy as long as the fat content isn't too high - that is the problem. ChelseaB is spot on that seniors need more protein to keep their muscle up.

As for Heidi, Bugsy is a relatively high metabolism dog and has ALWAYS done better on higher protein. In fact it was this discovery that helped us to level out his energy - not reduce it just level it instead of these wild bursts

Thalie

Posted : 8/24/2008 7:25:28 PM

The Dog Food Project has an article on higher protein levels in dog food ( http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=protein_myth ;), If I understand it correctly, all depends on the source of the proteins. If the proteins are of high-quality (read easily digestible, from named meat), their processing will not put a toll on the kidneys. Therefore higher protein food (and 32% is a good medium level, I think) should not be a problem for an older dog who has no history of kidney problem and Buddy should be fine with it.

You can see some info from the same source on the TOTW grain-free formulas here : http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=grain_free (scroll down the page a little).

I do not understand why giving Heidi a higher protein food could be a concern. Does she have kidney troubble ?

Jewlieee

Posted : 8/25/2008 7:53:57 AM

I really like grain free for my dogs. It has helped with the itchies. TOTW did not work for all 3 dogs though. Like you, one of mine has high metabolism and one low (the other is a puppy). Neiko (high metabolism) lost muscle mass and his coat got dull and rough. His coat is usually soft, shiney and silky. I don't think that TOTW had enough fat for him. Lily (low metabolism) does ok on it but she definitely does better on Evo Reduced fat.

mudpuppy

Posted : 8/25/2008 8:01:30 AM

I think 30% protein is a very low amount for a dog's diet. That means most of the diet is carbohydrates. Only a super-active dog needs that much carbohydrates in the diet.

CoBuHe

Posted : 8/25/2008 12:04:14 PM

Thalie

I do not understand why giving Heidi a higher protein food could be a concern. Does she have kidney troubble ?

No kidney troubles at all. She is a pet...not a performance or competition dog. So, (and I could have been wrong)...I was thinking that higher protein for her might create hyperactivity.

Sounds like I was way off on the protein level for my senior...he needs MORE.

DanielleNY

Posted : 8/25/2008 5:39:03 PM

I have a senior boxer and two approaching senior age. I switched them to Orijen from Canidae and have seen great improvement in muscle tone, weight loss and shiny coats. I know Orijen is very expensive but I don't feed as much. A 29 lb. bag feeds a 70 lb boxer, a 58 lb boxer and a 47 lb. boxer mix for 3 weeks. I only go through 7 cups a day for all 3 dogs (with a little canned topper). So you definitely need to factor in the calories per cup when comparing costs.

Wellness Core has a moderate protein level in the 30s, and the reduced fat formula would be better. However I've always heard that Wellness costs more to feed because there are fewer calories per cup. The company was also sold recently so there may be some changes coming.

As long as you do bloodwork at least once a year to check the kidney function, I strongly recommend feeding seniors higher protein. My vet is very impressed with the results in my dogs and they get bloodwork twice a year with no changes for the worse (in fact, they're better).