Protein and Kidney Failure from Your Dog's Diet

Early studies showed that higher levels of protein in your dog foods will cause kidney failure. Do you know if your dog food safe? Are you killing your furry friend by providing too much protein in your dog food?

Studies showing a relationship with a high protein levels and kidney failure that sparked concerns about protein levels in the diet does not sound dog. This research was conducted on rats, not dogs. Mice primarily eat plants as their natural food. Of course, rats biological makeup would indicate trouble digesting foods that contain high protein levels. Mouse protein difficulty defecating because of their special dietary needs, not because of the high protein diet causes kidney failure.


However, where we stand on protein and your dog food? Dogs are natural omnivores. In the wild, dogs would hunt or scavenge. Dog food will 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.

When the reduced protein intake in the dog food, kidney function did not improve. Renal lesions are not less likely to form when dogs were fed a low protein diet. It is not until the blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, test indicates the level of 75, that the reduction in protein intake may be considered for your dog food.

If you have concerns about the amount of protein in your dog food, schedule an appointment to speak with a professional on the subject. Your trusted vet can advise on the specifics in your dog food.

This is a myth that dogs can not properly digest high levels of protein in their diet. No kidney problems resulting from high levels of protein in your dog food. In a large number of proteins can be safely digested in your dog food, especially when they come primarily from animal origins.

Ten amino acids must be given in your dog food through the protein. Only twelve of 22 amino acids can be produced in your dog's heart. For this reason, meats such as liver, spleen, and meat products by all have a place in your dog food.

High-quality dog food should contain meat as the first ingredient. This will provide the right amount of protein for your dog food. You know that you are on the right track when you go back to nature for advice. Do you ever remember seeing a wild or stray dog happily grazing through the cornfield at mealtime?

Senior dogs should not be automatically placed on lower protein diets exclusively based on age. In fact, some older pets require a dog food proteins higher than during their younger adult stage. Unless medically indicated, provide your pet benefit the quality of protein in your dog food.

Protein feed your dog should not cause you concern. You want what is best for the dog and nature tells you that protein will help the dog to develop. If you have questions about the myth of protein and kidney failure your pet, talk to your vet about your dogs diet.