How to Pick a Kibble

[RuffMuttK9z]

Do you have any research that states high protein diets will damage a dog's kidneys in 10 to 12 years?

No, I don't. I never said that I did, because I don't know of any researchers that have conducted such long tests and the current high protein, low carbohydrate foods on the market haven't been out long enough to determine these longterm effects. I merely stated that there is scientific data to support the fact that high protein diets cause kidney and liver problems. And that's very much true.

I skimmed most of the articles you posted. Several of them didn't pertain to this subject that I could find and most of the rest included short (6-12wk) studies. I found one (one of the Eukanuba articles) that lasted four years; however, the author directly stated there were other variables in that test, so I don't put much stock in it myself.

I realize that you don't put much stock in the rat studies and argue that dogs and rats have very different digestive systems. Okay, fair enough. What about dogs and humans? People are always saying they'd never give something to their dog that isn't fit for humans to eat as well. It's no secret that high protein, low carbohydrate diets (IE: Atkins) have detrimental effects on the renal function of humans. Everyone thought the Atkins diet was finally THE diet...until they realized it had longterm health risks involved. So, rats and humans? You may think that's not proof enough, but personally, I think I will go ahead and duduce that uber high protein levels are not good for my dogs either. At least until more data can be collected on the longterm (once these foods have been out for 10, 12, 15 years) effects in dogs.

[FastandFurry]

Dogs and humans have much different digestive tract, one must remember dogs are carnivores and humans omnivores. Dogs have very short digestive tracts, while us human's have fairly long ones. There are vast differences between dog's and human's digestive tract, I can not even begin to start on the differences. Dogs metabolize things much different then us humans. Comparing a dog and human's digestive tract is as bizarre as comparing a cow's and human's digestive tract. When people say, 'if I wouldn't eat it my dog shouldn't either', I believe they are referencing the quality of the food. A common analogy maybe to say, 'I wouldn't eat diseased meat, my dog shouldn't either'.

[RuffMuttK9z]

Dogs are facultative carnivores, not obligate carnivores. They can and will consume non-meat foods and do not require high percentages of protein to thrive, unlike cats, who are obligate carnivores. And I well know that dogs and humans digestive tracts are very different. So are a mouse's and a human's. Yet, as I mentioned earlier, over 80% of laboratory testing takes place on mice and rats. There's a reason for that.

I see no point in continuing in this discussion since I've already presented my opinions.

[FastandFurry]

You challenge our opinion yet, you failed to read our posts. Nor have you fully read the linked resources. You openly admit you only skimmed the first paragraph of my initial post. I believe you are arguing for the sake of arguing...

[RuffMuttK9z]

You challenge our opinion yet, you failed to read our posts. Nor have you fully read the linked resources. You openly admit you only skimmed the first paragraph of my initial post.

Where did I "challenge" your opinion? I'm not challenging you at all. I am merely stating my own opinions, which happen to be opposite of yours, and you don't like that. If you expect me to read fully 15 articles posted, half of which don't even pertain to the point I am discussing, you're nuts. I wouldn't have that kind of time even if I didn't have a dozen dogs to take care of.

I believe you are arguing for the sake of arguing...

Who is arguing? I'm not. I'm only presenting my opinions of one measly sentence in your entire "article" regarding protein content. And I'm pretty much done with that so don't really have much more to say on this topic.

[FastandFurry]

Never mind...