Recent research suggested that higher levels of protein in your dogs diet might lead to kidney failure. Do you know if your dogs diet is safe? Are you killing your furry pal by providing too much protein in your dogs diet? nnThe studies that demonstrated a relationship to high protein levels and kidney failure, that sparked concerns about protein levels in dogs diets were not complete. The research was performed on rats, not dogs. Rats chiefly eat plants as their natural diet. Naturally, rats biological makeup would suggest trouble digesting diets containing high levels of protein. The rats have trouble excreting protein due to their particular dietary requirements, not because the high protein diet causes kidney failure. nnHowever, where do we stand on protein and your dogs diet? Dogs are naturally omnivorous. In the wild, dogs would hunt or scavenge. The dogs 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. nnWhen the protein consumption is lowered in a dogs diet, renal function does not improve. Renal lesions are not less likely to form when a dog is being fed a low-protein diet. It is not until a blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, test indicates a level of 75, then a reduction in protein consumption should be considered. nnIf you have concerns about how much protein is in your dogs diet, you should make a appointment with your veterinary surgeon. Your veterinary can advise you on your dogs diet. nnIt is not correct that dogs can not ordinarily digest high levels of protein. Kidney problems do not result from having high levels of protein in your dogs diet. Large amounts of protein are digested safely in your dogs diet, specially when they mainly come from animal origins.nn10 amino acids should be given in your dogs diet through protein. Only twelve of 22 amino acids can be made in your dogs liver. Because of this meat such as heart, spleen, and meat by-products should all be in your dogs diet. nnIf you purchase high-quality dog food it should contain meat as the main ingredient. This will furnish the right amount of protein in your dogs diet. If you think about a dog in its natural environment, would you see a wild dog grazing in a corn field at mealtime?nnSenior dogs should not be put on lower protein diets just because of age. As a matter of fact, some aging pets need a dogs diet that is higher in protein than when they were at a younger adult stage. Unless your veterinary advises not to, you should always provide your pet the advantage of quality protein in your dogs diet.nnFeeding your dog protein should not cause you concern. We all want what is best for our dogs and nature tells us that protein will assist your dog to live a healthy life. If you have questions about protein and kidney failure in your pet, then you should speak to your vet about your dogs diet.
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