But My Vet Says Too Much Protein is Hard on My Dog’s Kidneys

Oh brother! **rolls eyes**

Ok first, let’s understand what protein is and the role it plays in mammalian nutrition. I’ll get to the “too much” part and the “hard on the kidneys” part later in the post.

Protein is one of the three macronutrients along with carbohydrate and fat. Macronutrients aid in building and repairing tissues (mainly protein), provide a source of energy (carbs/fats) and regulate various body processes, and they must be consumed (eaten), as they cannot be synthesized by the body.

Proteins are made up of amino acids, sometimes referred to as the “building blocks of life“. Humans require, from their diet, 8 Essential Amino Acids and canines require 10. “Essential” means they cannot be synthesized within the body, and therefore must come from food consumption.

What exactly does Too Much Protein mean?

The fact is that nobody knows what too much protein means with respect to dogs, but a dose of common sense tells us that if they evolved eating meat, and large quantities of it, that it’s probably pretty difficult for a dog to OD on protein. The myth of too much protein has been propagated by the pet food industry because corn and wheat are cheaper than meat. Plain and simple!

“The dog can digest large amounts of proteins, especially those of animal origin” stated Prof. Dominique Grandjean DVM, Ph.D., at the Fourth Annual International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association Symposium (page 53 of 1997 PROCEEDINGS).

Contrary to the too much protein bandwagon, a deficiency in protein can lead to muscle loss and a compromised immune system among other things.

“Protein deficiencies can be caused by protein not being absorbed properly, and poor quality protein fed to pets. Effects of protein deficiency include weight loss, weakness, and decreased immune function, as well as lower levels of nutrient absorption, and a higher risk of overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine.” – Source: Marge Chandler
In Practice vol 24 no 9, October 2002: starts p528

The “poor quality protein” mentioned in the above quote refers to incomplete proteins (not containing all essential amino acids), from plant based foods.

But my vet says too much protein is hard on my dog’s kidneys!

Shocking!!

The following statements are quoted from CANINE AND FELINE NUTRITION by Case, Carey and Hirakawa, Published by C.V.Mosby, 1995 Source: The Pet Center

“There is no conclusive evidence showing that protein intake actually contributes to the development of kidney dysfunction in healthy animals.” (page 117)

“It is recommended that the protein in the diet of geriatric dogs should not be restricted simply because of old age.” (page 256)

“In general, high-quality animal source proteins provide superior amino acid balances for companion animals, compared with the amino acid balances that are supplied by grain proteins.” (page 174)

Nature designed dogs to be meat eating machines. She, (Mother Nature) wrote the blueprint. Are we so arrogant as to assume that the plans she was working from were flawed and that dogs are better off eating processed kibble or tofu and beans?

“The grain-based diets for dogs did not even exist until seventy years ago when we humans demanded the convenience, simplicity and economy of dog food in a bag.” - The Pet Center

Think about it… do you ever see a stray dog grazing in a corn or bean field to allay its hunger? Nature has created a meat-eating machine in the dog and every day in practice I see the health benefits displayed by the feeding of meat-based diets. Dogs fed poor quality diets look and feel great only if their caretakers also feed table scraps such as chicken, meat, eggs, cottage cheese and other “left-overs.” Meat such as chicken, poultry, beef or fish should be the first ingredient listed in any dog food you judge to be “the best”. – The Pet Center

If you want a healthy, happy, long lived companion, get your head out of your……..wallet, and go raw!

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