Monkey, my miniture schn

Question
QUESTION: Hi again:

I spoke to you a while ago about Monkey, my miniature schnauzer.  To refresh your memory, Monkey had calcium oxalate bladder stones,which were removed surgically.  I didn't know what type of food to feed her.  You suggested Evo.  I bought the Evo food.  Now I am confused again.  Evo has a high level of protein in the food.  First I thought protein is good for calcium oxalate stones, now I am confused again.  I thought I read that protein is no good.  She seems to be drinking more water now, which is good.  But I am not sure if the protein level is too high.  You had suggested Evo and then I thought I read somewhere that too much protein is no good for her type of stones.  Please help me.  Also, she is eating kibble which I am also not sure if she should be eating canned versus kibble.  I hope I am feeding her the right food.  Please confirm that this is the right food for her.  

Thanks,

Mindy

ANSWER: I am sorry, but I am not the one that suggested the EVO.  I do agree that it is a bad idea to feed any dog with any kidney or bladder problems a high protein chow.  Protein in excess of the body's needs, is burned for energy producing more urea to be excreted.  Many of the lower protein chows have a better balance of amino acids to meet the dogs' needs and contain more carbohydrates or fats as the energy source.  Have you talked to your vet about a chow?  I would think a product such as Science Diet C/D would be good for your dog.  Those that disparage Science Diet don't have any evidence to support their position.  I had to feed the C/D to one of our puppies, and she did quite well on it.  If you switch, be sure and do so slowly, starting with mostly old and increasing the new until after a week it is all new.  

I would stick to kibble.  To the extent that the dog chews its kibble, it helps clean the teeth and gives the teeth and jaw muscles exercise they need.  There is no reason to feed canned food except clever marketing.  Remember, much of what you read about dog chow comes from somebody selling something.  

For your dog's health, how much you feed maybe more important which chow.  Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So, I are you suggesting that the Evo is not a good food for Monkey due to a high amount of protein.  I am so confused.  She was on Science Diet but I believe there are a lot of ingredients that are harmful.  If not Evo and Science Diet is there another food to feed her?

Mindy

Answer
There is nothing wrong with Science Diet.  There is a lot of marketing hype around on dog chow.  Some of it is outright lies.  Even the truth may be designed to push your buttons and lead you into buying expensive chows that make you feel better, but do nothing for your dog.  Some of what goes into common brands, such as Science Diet, may not sound very appetizing, but is high quality protein.  Not all protein is equal.  It is made up of many amino acids, and dogs need a certain amounts of certain ones.  The internal organs in the lamb meal have a better balance of amino acids than the human grade cuts going into the more expensive chows.  Some chows have excesses of some amino acids which the dogs burn off for energy.  

There are chows without the ''bad ingredients'' that would be OK for you dog, but I haven't gotten into that.  My dogs have always thrived on Pro plan and other common brands full of ''bad ingredients'', including one on Science Diet C/D.