Should You Feed Your Dog Low Protein Dog Food?
The idea of feeding dogs low protein dog food has fallen into disfavor in recent years. The concept was popular at one time because it was believed that older dogs and dogs with any kind of kidney problem should be fed a low protein dog food as a health precaution. However, recent studies seem to refute this belief.
Today, dog foods are much more likely to load up foods with higher and higher percentages of protein. In some cases, owners might be wise to wonder if the protein percentages are too high for normal, healthy dogs. However, as far as low protein diets are concerned, two recent studies of dogs with kidney disease reported the following findings:
“Results do not support the hypothesis that feeding a high protein diet had a significant adverse effect on renal function.” (Bovee, KC, Influence of Dietary Protein on Renal Function in Dogs, Waltham International Symposium on Nutrition of Small Companion Animals, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, on September 4–8, 1990.)
And, in a second study, older dogs were divided into two groups for study. One group was fed a low protein diet and the other group was fed a high protein diet over the course of four years.
“Results of this study indicated … there were no adverse effects from the high protein diet and mortality (death rate) was actually higher in the low protein group.” (Finco DR, Brown SA, Crowell WA, et al, Effects of aging and dietary protein intake on uninephrectomized geriatric dogs, Am J Vet Res 1994; 55:1282.)
The point is that high protein diets are not harmful to the kidneys of a normal, healthy dog. And, low protein diets are not necessary for most dogs, even older dogs and dogs with mild kidney problems. Yet, many veterinarians are still advising clients to put their older dogs and dogs with mild kidney problems on low protein diets. Instead, studies suggest that if a dog has any kind of impaired kidney function, it is best to restrict phosphorus intake, not protein. This holds true unless tests have shown that your dog has very high BUN levels or elevated urinary protein (proteinuria) that would indicate severe kidney disease.
If you would like to feed your dog a low protein dog food that contains a lower phosphorus level, here are some recommended brands. Keep in mind that not all of these foods are recommended for senior dogs or dogs with kidney disease. Many of these foods are suitable for dogs that need to lose weight. If you have a senior dog that is already slim, be sure to choose a food that will help your dog stay at his present weight.
- Artemis Fresh Mix Weight Management
- AvoDerm Natural Senior
- California Natural Low Fat Adult
- Canine Caviar Special Needs Dinner
- Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul Adult Lite
- Dave’s Naturally Healthy Senior
- Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal and Rice Lite
- Doctors Foster and Smith Senior
- Dogswell Shape Up
- Eagle Pack Adult Reduced Fat
- Evolve Senior Lite Formula
- FirstMate Trim and Lite
- FirstMate Grain Free Senior
- Fromm Family Classics Mature Adult
- Harmony Farms Healthy Weight Formula
- HealthWise Weight Control
- Holistic Select Weight Management
- Innova Adult Low Fat
- Innova Senior
- Kirkland Healthy Weight Formula
- LiveSmart Senior Formula
- Lotus Senior
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets
- Natural Balance Ultra Reduced Calorie
- Natural Life Senior Complete
- Nature’s Select Ultra Lite
- NutriSource Weight Management
- Nutro Ultra Weight Management
- Premium Edge Senior Dog
- Professional Adult Low Fat
- Pure Woof Gold Senior and Weight Management
- Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Adult Dog
- Wellness Super 5 Mix Healthy Weight
- Wellness Super 5 Mix Just for Seniors
Related posts:
