protein levels

Question
QUESTION: what amount of cooked chicken (protein source) is good for an adult dog of 13.  with no kidneys problems, are higher bun levels bad since i know its due to the chicken.  i now mix 1 part Iams dry, 2 parts Pedigree canned, and add in slivers of cooked chicken because i read dogs thrive on meat proteins.   thanks

ANSWER: Hi Rick,

My suggestion would be to move to a quality brand asap. Seniors do indeed benefit from higher protein levels but if your dog has kidney problems you will want to monitor diet closely, especially mineral intake. You could be boosting phopshorus too high, which can contribute to renal disease. I would suggest a premium food which will help your senior to obtain all the nutrition he or she needs much more than will brands such as Pedigree. If you'd like some explicit suggestions let me know. For now, use a variety of add-ons, emphasize a little sardine, some egg, but also brown rice (for fiber) cooked sweet potato (beta carotene, potassium) a little beef heart, some plain yogurt. Add-ons should be varied and no more than 10% of the diet. I give my senior rescue dog about a third of a cup of a mixture made from brown rice, sweet potato and light meat chicken, with 2 sardines, every night before bed. I'm currently using Fromm's Duck and Sweet Potato with her.

I do urge you to use a premium brand for your older dog. It's much harder for them to derive nutrients from low quality ingedients. But get a geriatric screening done and find out how her kidneys and liver are working before making any changes. I'm here if you need more guidance!
Catherine

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

QUESTION: thank u so much...kidneys are fine but since bun levels rose due to protein increase i wanted to make sure the chicken was ok at his age, because its a fairly recent addition to his diet.....wish i started earlier.    also:  what brand do u recommend instead of pedigree cans?.....and is Iams a good enough brand of dry?....i mix them together daily.  ps i always thought milk or milk products like yogurt were indigestible for dogs but i will gladly add plain yogurt.   also....egg whites or yolk too?   and do u mean whole sardines (bones)?

Answer
Hi again Rick,

My bottomline recommendation for this dog would be a premium dry food with a little top quality canned, and no  need to add anyiihng, except as a treat which should not comprise more than 10@ of the diet.  You could use one of the higher quality canned products now available, but just a Tbsp or so to boost the protein. Some brand suggestions to consider:

1) Innova Senior Plus:
 http://www.innovapet.com/products/default.asp?id=1409

2) Natural Balance
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/UltDog.html

3) Fromm's - any of the four star line:
 http://www.frommfamily.com/products-fs.php

4) Timberwolf Organics - I like the Ocean Blue Formula best: http://timberwolforganics.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0a010b421f4373cdc11a1913404781e4d9

5) Wellness - another premium line to look into:


6) The Honest Kitchen - a different way to feed, but one that can be excellent for many dogs:
http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/thrive.shtml


And while milk is difficult for dogs to digest, yogurt is fermented and much easier on the system. You can give the whole egg, yolk and all, and the whole sardines from the can - the cooking makes the bones very soft and safe.

I much prefer any of the above foods to IAMs(and there are others, this is just an idea of my favourites. I am using Fromm for my rescue dog who has been on very cheap food and I see a difference in her in four days since I brought her home).

Let me know if I can help more, or what you decide to try. As always, check a new food with your vet as well.
All the best, Catherine