high protein dog food versus low protein?

Question

i am curious about the protein levels in certain dog foods. i am not looking to change dog foods, am perfectly happy with what my dog is eating. my sister is researching dog foods and came across the Evo and Innova brands. she was asking me why the Evo brand has like 43% protein and the Innova has like 25%. is such a high proteind good for dogs? i know my dogs food (canidae) has i think 23% protein. why the huge difference in evo/innova, and is it good for a dog to have that much protein? thanks in advance. i tried searching for a question similar to this and couldn't find it...

Answer 1

Contrary to popular belief, older dogs and puppies require MORE protein (as long as it's qualtiy protein).

http://purina.ca/dogs/puppies.asp?article=471

A high protein diet is not harmful.

Answer 2

PERCENTAGE means NOTHING.
You need to work out how many grams of the food you will give, per day. Subtract the moisture content. Then times the dry matter by the Protein percentage stated. This will give you grams per day of protein, which you can then realistically compare with other foods / diets.
People who talk about the % do this as they either don't understand at all what they are talking about, or, because they simply don't understand the mathematical workings out, to convert % into something realistic.
THEN....to compare fully, you should also find out what the protein source is and how high a digestibility factor it has, so you can then take it into your workings out for the comaparisions between food.
I could explain further, using specific examples...but I will refrain, as I am pretty sure I will already be getting thumbs down from people who haven't a CLUE what I am saying. Shame. If they concentrated a bit longer, or loked up the definition of 'Percentage', it would be OBVIOUS it is simply a screen to hide behind, when one does not have a basic grasp of nutrition.
Honestly, percentage means NOTHING, unless you know
a) the dry matter content of the diet
b) the amount eaten, daily, in grams
c) the sorce of the protein (comes from veg, cereal grain, as well as meat)
d) the rate of digestibility of the food.

Answer 3

Well, I don't have a problem with high protein foods, if the dog can handle it. Some dogs need less protein because of concerns with the liver or other organ systems. I don't really have anything original to say about this, but Linda Ardnt a nutrition consultant for pet food has an article on-line about protein levels. Here's the link.

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

Answer 4

As long as it is not a large breed puppy, the high protein level is fine. The problem with the high-protein is that a lot of small dogs can't handle it and will get the runs from it. There is no scientific proof that the high-protein with negatively affect your dog (although that has been thought for many years).

Answer 5

I can't answer about specific dog foods, but I do know that low protein is better for dogs in kidney failure, large dogs with certain bone issues, and any dog under distress from disease or even certain genetic conditions. High protein intake really puts stress on the kidneys.

Answer 6

It is mimicking the way a dog would eat in the wild. Wolves would be eating a diet made almost entirely of protein.
Works fine for wolves and some dogs, others do not do so well on it. I tried it, and my dogs could not tolerate it. Lost weight, had loose stool, generally looked bad. I do use it on occasion for show dogs that are not eating, or males while the girls are in season, but not as a regular diet.
Some people swear by it, and if their dogs do well, great!!!

Answer 7

high protein dog food protein

Answer 8

I would think it would depend on the size and energy level of the dog. A large active dog would probably need far more protein than a chihuahua couch potato.

Answer 9

Evo is a meat based, no grain dog food. It is designed for high energy dogs and dogs that don't do well with grains in their diet. (allergies, metabolism issues)

Innova is lower in protien because it has more grains in it. (still is a great food!)

Each food is for different dogs. My border collie would do great on EVO if he was running agility, or training or herding. but since he is a more sedate house dog he eats something different now. My senior dog that is in mid stage kidney failure would be dead in a week if i changed her food to something higher than she is on now.

Does that help?