BEWARE!!! Fact or fiction or somewhere in between???

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

I first posted this article in the food group to see if the information was correct, it sounded good to me., but... I'll admitt that I know the value of feeding good food but have not always been a good judge of what is good food.  It was suggested that I repost the article here for others to read and comment on.  Well, Karen and F.'s comments in the food group, are enough for me to know the article is not accurate.  SO, why would I repost it here?   As a reminder about how easy it is to take information at face value when you see the author has a DVM degree,  when word phrases are used to impress readers such as, "...proper calcium-phosphorus ratio", and "...a high quality protein is more “bioavailable”...", and when the author talks about the health and welfare of our beloved dogs.  Sorry to have posted incorrect info....I'm greatful for our DK food experts!!

I saw this article and thought it was good, but wondered what our DK food experts thought....I'm just not sure how much protein is too much.  One BB food is 24% crude protein another is 34%.  

The Dangers of High Protein Dog Foods featured
POSTED BY LABRADORS.COM TEAM 5 HOURS AGO 

By Ashley Gallagher, DVM

Choosing what to feed your Lab can be an overwhelming decision. Pet food stores are packed with row after row of different brands of food all containing clever marketing slogans to convince you they are the best for your pup. Many of these foods boast about containing extremely high levels of protein that claim to satisfy your Lab’s instinctive need for meat as well as make him healthier and live longer.

Aren’t Dogs Carnivores?

Marketing tactics by some pet food companies have fueled a common misconception among pet owners that dogs are complete carnivores and require a diet that consists mostly of meat. As anyone who’s watched a Lab wolf down a carrot knows, this is not the case. Dogs, like people, are omnivores and do best with a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Excessive protein consumption is unnecessary for Labs at best, and for some with medical conditions can actually be harmful.

Proteins are the building blocks of the body and an absolute necessity for daily function, but when a dog consumes too much protein in a meal it can’t all be utilized at one time -- and protein can’t be stored for later. The body just gets rid of the excess protein through the kidneys and it ends up in urine. The quality of the protein is actually more important than the amount, as a high quality protein is more “bioavailable”, meaning it can be better absorbed by the body.

Another issue is that the meat in these diets contains not only protein but other nutrients that you don’t want in excessive amounts. For example, when a diet is mostly meat it becomes difficult to maintain a proper calcium-phosphorus ratio. When this ratio is out of balance disruptions in bone growth or kidney damage can occur. Well formulated dog foods have an appropriate balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to prevent this from happening.

Is Excessive Protein in Dog Food Bad for My Lab?

Protein is a calorie dense nutrient and many of the high protein diets are extremely high in calories and can quickly lead to weight gain. When over 50% of dogs in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese, dog owners need to be aware of where those extra calories are hiding. If a Lab has kidney or liver issues, consuming too much protein can increase the workload on these organs and upset the balance of nutrients leading to worsening health.

Rather than look for a dog food that contains massive levels of protein, try to find one that is specifically formulated for your dog’s lifestyle, life stage, and size. A working sled dog, for example, will have significantly different nutrient and caloric requirements than the average Lab that chases lots of sticks but also spends much of the day lounging. These two dogs should not be fed the same diet.

Puppies, meanwhile, require more protein than adult dogs because their bodies are busy growing. Having said that, feeding puppies something that is too high in protein may make them put on weight too quickly causing abnormal joint development and making them more prone to issues like arthritis in the future.

The safest diets are those that have been developed by pet food companies that invest in scientific research, consult with veterinary nutritionists, and perform feeding trials to develop their diets. This approach provides a pet food that is properly balanced, without excess nutrients that are unnecessary and can in some cases even be harmful.

A version of this article was originally printed on PetMD.com.

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup?groupUrl=thefoodgrou...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Exactly! It's all about what is the cheapest, not what is the most nutritious. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I remember feeding science diet long ago to my Persians. Also fed Iam's. Thought I was treating them well. If you don't know, you don't know. What are people to think, purina does an excellent job of advertising their product. The dogs always look so happy and healthy... and all because of purina.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There was a time when some of these products, like Iams and Eukanuba, were the top of the line, before the corporations bought them out. Just like Natura's products (EVO, Innova, California Naturals) were outstanding prior to the company being sold to Proctor & Gamble. Almost a year to the day later, the recalls started on those. Corporate buyouts are the kiss of death for quality. 

It's also interesting to note that you never saw advertising for Iams until after the buyouts. It also wasn't sold in grocery stores or places like Target. You had to go out of your way to buy it, there were no Petmarts or Petcos back then. I used to have to go to a little feed store in an industrial park area to buy Nutro back in the early 90s. Those of us who didn't feed grocery store brands really felt we were doing the best we could for our dogs.

I had a friend who felt that way too, before the melamine in the Iams food killed her dog back during the 2007 recalls. Somehow, those corporate buyouts escaped us. 

Not any more. 

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

I too, was buying Nutro in the early 90's from a speciality feed store and thought I was doing so good.  Well, I was compaired to the Dog Chow or Ol' Roys my parents used to feed the dogs.  Karen, BB is on the approved list but I feel like they may be just a short step away from being another Iams or Inova type product.  I'm seeing BB in farm stores more and more.  Have you heard any news on that companies future?    

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

They sure push BB. Several times when I have been in a pet smart or petco ( just to buy a leash or kong haha) there has been someone in the food aisle pushing the BB product. You think they are an employee of the store when they ask you what you feed your dog, then once they start a conversation, you find out they represent BB. I don't know that there is anything wrong with BB as I fed Yogi that at first, just an observation

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is a distinct possibility that Blue Buffalo could be bought out at some point in the next couple of years; this year, they may go public with an IPO and shareholders are never a good thing for quality down the line:

http://www.thedeal.com/content/consumer-retail/blue-buffalo-could-s...

But right now it's fine, and we will continue to monitor. Everyone who feeds a commercial product should have a back-up plan in mind anyway, in case of shortages or other emergency situations, so if you feed a BB formula, it wouldn't be a bad idea to just start looking for an alternative if you should need it.