High Protein Diets for Dogs and Cats

and Health Problems

The minimum protein requirement for an health adult dog is 6% - the information is from the research group – the Mark Morris Foundation and can be found in the book ‘Small Animal Clinical Nutrition’ It is important that this minimum is made up of good quality animal or fish proteins with the correct range of amino acids.

Protein is the principle structural component of body organs and tissue – for cartilage, tendons and ligament, for muscles, skin, hair and nails. Blood proteins are also made from protein along with enzymes, hormones and antibodies. It is therefore an important component of growth and development.

Now let us consider what happens when protein is present in the body and more importantly too much protein.

There is a process which is performed by both the kidneys and liver and it is called Amino Acid Catabolism. This process involves the conversion of excess (too much) protein to nitrogen waste.

This process typically leads to formation of Ammonia which is toxic to every cell in the body but more so with the kidneys. 90% of the nitrogen produced in this process is converted to urea which is them excreted in the urine. The remaining 10% is converted to Ammonia. Thus the higher the level of protein that is fed and not required results in more being converted to ammonia.

It has been suggested by the authors of Small Animal Clinical Nutrition that pet foods companies promote the myth that high protein levels are good in order to make more money!

The reality is more and more dogs are turning up younger and younger at the Vets with kidney problems.

There are a number of diseases of dogs with a common theme and this is too much protein over a prolonged period of time.

I quote from ‘Small Animal Clinical Nutrition’

“Any disease that affects organs involved with conversion of ammonia to urea and nitrogen disposal can result in accumulation of toxic by-products of protein metabolism. In particular, protein intake above requirements has to be carefully monitored” “Not all dogs and cats that appear healthy are free of disease. Dogs and cats with chronic renal failure are usually sub- clinical until the disease has progressed to the point that 2/3rds or more of functional renal tissue is lost. Protein excess may contribute to progression of the disease. In addition to any direct effects protein excess might have on the progression of sub - clinical renal disease, it may contribute to acidemia. Thus, even in apparently healthy dogs and cats, excess dietary protein may be conditionally toxic”

More dogs die from kidney Disease than people die from accidents, lung cancer, breast cancer or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome – You must ask yourself what is the common thread – I believe it is high protein associated with many commercial dog and cat foods.

Puppy Foods and High Protein

Feeding high protein diets to puppies is a bit like pouring too much fertiliser on a plant - it forces growth beyond that which is normal. Most skeletal problems arise from feeding high levels of protein to pups. This may arise because the excess protein forces the growth of the muscle mass beyond that of the skeletal system and puts undue pressure on the bone structure causing problems. Puppies do need higher levels of protein for growth but since they eat more food per kilogram of body weight than adult dogs they take in higher levels of protein anyway.

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Health Conditions

High Protein Diets for Dogs and Cats

and Health Problems

Puppy Foods and High Protein