Can Protein Produce Kidney Failure in Your Dog?- By: Damian Cross

Description : Lab studies conducted on dogs which kept a high amount of protein in their diet showed that they are more prone to having renal complications. Are you absolutely positive you are providing your dog with a healthy diet, instead of leading him to a slow and painful death? In order to arrive to any conclusions, you must first become aware of what exactly are the ingredients of the food you are feeding your dog. You will need to read the labels and read about certain meats, grains, fruits and vegetables in order to define the components of your dog’s food.

The research which showed a correlation between large amounts of protein in the food intake and renal problems on dogs is unfounded. This is due to the fact that the study was performed on rats, who eat pretty much anything, and not dogs. Because of the anatomy of rats, high levels of protein in their diet would show to have some adverse consequences in their kidneys. Rats have an inherent difficulty eliminating protein from their body, but that does not mean it was caused by the protein in their food.

However, where does the above conclusion leave pet owners and their dog? Dogs, like rats, are omnivorous; they are willing and able to consume plants, as well as animals. But dogs are natural meat eaters as well, and can tolerate higher levels of protein in their food, up to 30 percent. Make sure not to mix up your nutrition requirements as a human being, to those of your dog, because they are quite different.

Dog tests in which a dog’s diet was toned down of protein content, did not show any improvement on their renal functions. A dog that is exposed to higher levels of protein in their food is not any more at risk than any other dog. Medical attention to reduce protein content on dogs is not required until blood tests indicate 75 percent or more.

It is always best to consult your veterinarian about this urban tale. He can advise you and confirm the fact that dogs health is not jeopardized by feeding on high protein foods. In fact, they turn out to be nourishing and beneficial, especially when coming from animal sources. Out of a total of twenty two amino acids required by your dog’s body, only ten are made in your dog’s liver. Meaning you have to feed your dog with meat to provide him with necessary nutrients to survive.

The most important food group in your dog’s diet is definitely meat. As nature intended for dogs, as it does for wolves and coyotes, meat provides these animals with the protein levels they require in addition to a number of amino acids necessary to keep in good health. With the exception of perhaps, older dogs, whose protein intake should be diminished in relation to their age. On the other end of the spectrum, pups are sometimes fed larger amounts of protein to aid in their growth and development.

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