Early research indicated that
higher levels of protein in your dog's diet would lead to kidney failure. Do you
know if your dog's diet is safe? Are you killing your furry friend by providing
too much protein in your dog's diet?
The studies that showed a relationship to high protein levels and kidney failure
that sparked concerns about protein levels in dog's diets were not sound. The
research was performed on rats, not dogs. Rats primarily eat plants as their
natural diet. Naturally, rats biological makeup would indicate trouble digesting
diets containing high levels of protein. The rats have difficulty excreting
protein due to their specific dietary needs, not because the high protein diet
causes kidney failure.
Still, where do we stand on protein and your dog's diet? Dogs are naturally
omnivorous. In the wild, dog's would hunt or scavenge. The dog's diet would
consist of both plants and animals. Naturally speaking, dogs are meat eaters,
too. For this reason, a dog can easily tolerate a diet consisting of 30% protein
or more.
When protein intake is reduced in a dog's diet, renal function does not improve.
Renal lesions are not less likely to form when a dog is fed with a low-protein
diet. It is not until a blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, test indicates a level of
75, that a reduction in protein intake be considered for your dog's diet.
If you have concerns about the amount of protein in your dog's diet, schedule an
appointment to speak with a professional on the subject. Your trusted vet can
advise you on the specifics in regards to your dog's diet.
It is a myth that dog's cannot properly digest high levels of protein in their
diet. Kidney troubles do not result from high levels of protein in your dog's
diet. Large amounts of protein can be safely digested in your dog's diet,
especially when they come primarily from animal origins.
Ten amino acids must be provided in your dog's diet through protein. Only twelve
of 22 amino acids can be manufactured in your dog's liver. For this reason, meat
such as heart, spleen, and meat by-products all have a place in your dog's diet.
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A high-quality dog food
should contain meat as the first ingredient. This will provide the proper amount
of protein for your dog's diet. You know you are on the right track when you
turn to nature for advice. Do you ever recall seeing a wild or stray dog happily
grazing through the cornfield at mealtime?
Senior dogs should not be automatically placed on lower protein diets
exclusively based on age. In fact, some older pets require a dog's diet higher
in protein than during their younger adult stage. Unless medically indicated,
provide your pet the benefit of quality protein in your dog's diet.
Feeding your dog protein should not cause you concern. You want what is best for
your dog and nature tells you that protein will help your dog to thrive. If you
have questions about the myth of protein and kidney failure in your pet, speak
to your vet about your dog's diet.
