How is your dog doing on higher protein kibble?

[SuperWanda]

Hi - I have been trying a higher protein food with my two dogs called Orijen.

Just wanted to ask how other dogs are doing on higher protein.

My dogs have been on this food for about 3 weeks now and I was under the impression that they would poop less. I have been finding that they go 4 or 5 times a day! I have been giving them about 2 cups per day which is on the lower end of the recommended amount for their weight. Does the lack of fibre make this food run through the gut faster or am I overfeeding???

When we were at the park the other day, one dog went 5 times! They also have rabbit pellet type droppings which seems harder to pass. I knew that a higher protein food may constipate so I have been adding water to the kibble. Any other thoughts or experiences from other higher protein feeders?

Thanks!

[technodoll]

no problems here... poops are small and firm, twice per day. however the EVO is mixed with raw ground beef... most days he gets anywhere from 2 to 4 cups of EVO and sometimes 1 cup of "regular" dry food, so it's hard to judge. i've never feed a dog "just dry food only" ... i guess this is no help eh? LOL

on another note, he's packing on hard muscles like it's nobody's business

PS: the "rabbit poop" is typical of a grain-free diet, you see alot of that in raw-fed dogs. nothing to worry about but feel free to add some wet food mixed with the grains, or some steamed veggies, or cooked brown rice, to bulk up the stools if you don't feel comfortable with it

[Prin]

My dogs have been on this food for about 3 weeks now and I was under the impression that they would poop less. I have been finding that they go 4 or 5 times a day! I have been giving them about 2 cups per day which is on the lower end of the recommended amount for their weight. Does the lack of fibre make this food run through the gut faster or am I overfeeding???

I've got the same thing going on here. And for some reason, Jemma's got bad dandruff only on her head now.

[technodoll]

could the dandruff have anything to do with her water adventures over the weekend?...

[meb999]

Could it be because Evo has sunflower oil and SG has canola oil? I know Buster's coat looks it's best when the food has canola in it.
Maybe you could add a few drops of canola oil to her RM? Might help loosen up her stools too....

[Prin]

No, techno, they didn't go swimming. They just got their feets wet. And the 'ruff started before that. Well, I got them some wild salmon oil.. So I'll start with that and see what happens.

[technodoll]

oh i thought they had had a swim, lucky ducks! yep fish oil is good...

[SuperWanda]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I will try adding some moister foods and see if that helps. They really seem to love this food so I'd like to stay on it - as long as I don't have an allergy outburst that is.

Dandruff on the head - I can't help with that one. I think the fish oil is a good suggestion.

[SunGurl372]

I bought a small bag of the EVO RM this week. I haven't fed it solo to Harley yet, as I'm still working through a pretty new bag of Timberwolf Organics Dakota Bison. So I'm doing a 50 / 50 mix of the two at each meal. I like the idea that mixing them ups her protein intake.

So for now, she gets two cups of kibble daily. In the morning I add in wild salmon oil and in the evenings I usually put in some kind of mixer and some added water. Usually it's a bit of Merrick's canned (any formula without poultry), but some times I use tuna, or leftover steak and baked potato, etc.

If she does well, I may switch her entirely onto the EVO RM and drop TO. Have to see I guess. So far, I've seen no problems with her bowel movements, she eats well, no changes in skin condition as yet.

[catsnatcher-CDN]

This past Sunday, I bought Innova EVO high protein for Max (5 year old, overweight, less active, dobie mix). It's his second day on it. It was suggested that I only give him 1 cup of kibble a day.

This is day 2. He's already had diahrrea once.

[Prin]

But you're transitioning gradually, right, catsnatcher?

[catsnatcher-CDN]

No. I thought he'd adapt well. Today I gave him 1 cup in the morning of Evo and half a cup of the old stuff at night.
I was told to feed him only once a day, so I'm slowly gonna cut the night feeding.

I was also told to not feed him once a week so his body can detox....

I have no idea what I'm doing....my poor dobie

[SunGurl372]

You're trying your best for him, so that counts for alot!

I couldn't imagine only feeding Harley once a day. She's not a voracious eater, so she needs the split meal schedule.

As for switching, each dog is pretty unique. Harley is very sensitive to food changes, so going to a 50 / 50 mix right off the bat with her is fairly aggressive. She's been on the blend for three days with no signs of problems, so I've been pleasantly surprised.

Maybe you can back off a bit on the EVO, and work it in a bit more gradually?

[rainbow]

Why were you told to only feed him once a day?

[Prin]

Catsnatcher, I'd just feed a little evo first, with the old food and gradually increase the evo and reduce the other stuff. You have to be really, really gradual with him because last I remembered he was on commercial food, no? That's got quite a few digestive aids in there, and he has to learn to digest on his own.

You really don't want to do it too suddenly.

[catsnatcher-CDN]

I don't know why i was told to feed him once a day.

So I'll do 1/2 cup of EVO 1/2 a cup of the old stuff.

Should I separate that 1 cup into 2 feedings or just one?
He's overweigh at 90 something pounds

[Prin]

Gaaa!! No, not 1/2 and 1/2 yet. Start with a bit, max 1/4C of new stuff.

(and two feedings is better, but you can feed 2/3 in the morning and 1/3 at night if you want)

[technodoll]

and don't forget to up the exercise, too... helps a dog shed those pounds and build lean muscle mass

[SunGurl372]

Good gravy! Harley weighs in at 50 or so pounds, and she's getting two cups of kibble per day. Am I way off or what? She's not fat in the least, you can still see just the barest outline of her ribs....

[Prin]

Depends on the doggy. If you are feeding enough so your doggy's weight is stable, that's all that matters.

[SunGurl372]

***breathes sigh of relief***

Okay, minor freak out diverted. Honestly, I know better, but it's just so funny how the rules are so subjective to our individual pups.

Harley continues to thrive....so I remain a happy mom.

[Kristin7]

I had switched to the Evo red meat for my 8 mo old, and he seemed a lot more hyper and anxious, panting a lot, after the switch. I'm not sure if that was from the food, but he's been switched over to Canidae recently. So far I can't really tell a difference as he's not been on it very long.

[technodoll]

there is no proven link between high-protein diets and hyperactivity in cats and dogs, on the contrary... some interesting reading, if so inclined: http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/protein.html

PROTEIN AND HYPERACTIVITY
Most dog caretakers at one time or another have heard this pronouncement... "High protein diets can make dogs hyper!" I have searched the literature and contacted nutrition specialists regarding this myth and nowhere can I find any scientific study that proves this unfounded contention. There are no biochemical or nutritional factors that would even make this supposition appear to be credible. Hyperactivity in dogs has numerous potential motivators, including genetic temperament predispositions, but a link between high levels of protein in a dog's diet and hyperactivity has yet to be proven.

[SunGurl372]

Harley certainly hasn't shown any inclination for hyperactivity since I've started supplementing with the EVO RM.

She's continues to be one of the world's greatest couch potatoes.

[Prin]

Jemma and Boo too. The only extra energy I've seen is when I go to feed them... Jemma bounces off the walls.

But I should say when I switched them from a commercial food (that shall remain nameless but rhymes with puke) to Wolf King, they did get more energy. But it was a healthy, awake kind of energy; not a hyperactivity thing.

[technodoll]

that shall remain nameless but rhymes with puke

ok i'm stumped, LOL! one more hint?...

edited: oooh ok... the beginning rhymes with "uke"... hahahahahaa! (duh)

[Prin]

Really?

Take away the P.

[Kristin7]

I did not know there was a supposed link, this is just what I observed with my dog and also knew the food was quite high in protein content. He doesn't poop any more than usual, although his stool is smaller. Was just answering the question posed originally... all dogs are different, and mine was quite lazy before the switch, esp for a puppy. The excessive panting was worrying me, so I switched him off the Evo, and this was just a few days ago. Will wait and see if the food is the difference, rather than just going by reading an article. Just because there is no proven link does not mean it is not true for some dogs or that there will not someday be a proven link.

[technodoll]

hey relax, don't get all bent out of shape... i wasn't aiming anything at you. this question has arisen here before and i thought it should be addressed, in terms of both owner experiences and researched articles your puppy will have highs and lows, and feeding him more carbs will not make him a more quiet dog, science pretty much guarantees you that... canidae's good stuff, i wish you luck!

[Prin]

Don't worry, everybody gets techno wrong the first couple times. She means well.

Of course, you do know your dog better than anybody, so whatever works best for you.