question about dog foods

by Marcie Impagliazzo
(Bellingham Washington)

I have a healthy 22 pound 8 year old Wire Fox Terrier.Last spring she recently had been eatting Innova senior which was very low in protein and high in carbohydrates.I fed her one fourth a cup twice a day along with some fresh cooked vegetables including peas,brocoli,carrots and fresh spinish on top.Then in May I switched her to Orijen senior which I also feed her one fourth a cup twice a day along with the same vegetables above.She does get maymay about 50 calories of healthy treats in a variety everyday.With this amount of food and treats she maintains her weight well.I do add one teaspoon of flaxseeds to her meals as she has always required extra fiber because at age 4 she had her annal glands removed because of annal gland problems.Her vet has reccomended she eat a lowfat high fiber diet.I do like the Orijen senior food very well but I am a bit concerned to keep her on a food with this high of protein as some specialist say it can be hard on the kidneys overtime.I can see it is one of the top rated dog foods though and I do like it since its low in carbohydrates.So I am wondering if a food like Now grain free senior dog food might be a better choice for her.It is a lttle lower in calories so then I would feed her a little more.This is another one of my favorites and it has modrate protein and moderate carbohydrates.What do you think of this dogfood?Other experts have reccomended I do a rotation diet but I,m not sure this would be a good idea.I just want her on the best food for her breed.She does also get a food supplement everyday put out by Life abundance to make sure she gets her vitamins.But she is very acctive and seems to be very healthy.Please let me know what you think or any advice you might have.
thankyou,Marcie

My Comment:

Hi Marcie

I think you take care of her very well.

It is easy to get confused on expert telling you one thing and another give you some other advice.

We don't have any real proof of the "truth" so when it comes to the statement from on expert it probably is more to see as a "belief"

The normal belief among many vets is protein can damage the kidneys.

My belief is another. In normal healthy dogs protein has not shown any signs of being "bad for the kidneys"

In dogs having kidney problems you see benefits of reducing the protein content because that might reduce the nausea and make it easier to keep the appetite.

Regarding the fiber high diet for her anal gland problem - if these glands has been removed there is not really any reason because of this to maintain her on the fiber high/low fat diet.

Only if she feels better having this diet.

So, remember the main thing to be concerned about is her weight. If you are uncomfortable feeding her Orijen (or another high protein diet) choose not too. As long the weight is normal i find this is OK.

I got interested in high protein dog food, because I began to think that carbohydrates could be the main reason to obesity in dogs. Orijen has a outstanding quality as well - but you can find this in Acana as well which is made by the "Orijen Company".

This one is not grain free (that's why its cheaper) but still good quality.

Orijen do have a food for senior dogs as well - so you have several possibilities.

Instead of flax see oil I would recommend you to use omega 3 from fish. This is more efficient as a source of DHA/EPA omega fatty acids.

By the way - many of my colleges just say what the common belief is. Most of my colleges don't have any idea about dog food, not to mention how to read a list of ingredients.

How do I know?

Because I have been there my self.

It was only working on this site which made me wonder and get knowledge about dog food and the ingredients in it.

I am confident that you can judge what the best is for her.

My best wishes to your both

Per Schonbeck