High Protein Diets

Question
I have a 3 year old German Shepherd Dog that I rescued 8 months ago.  He is exhibiting allergy symptoms that I have narrowed down to either the chicken or grain in his dry food.  I think I will try a non-poultry diet. I have been doing research on natural brands such as Innova Evo, California Natural, Timberwolf and Blue Buffalo. They are boasting high protein low or no grain more natural diets.  My gut reaction is that I like what I see but I would like more information.  I am concerned about exacerbating issues that GSD's are prone to such as bloat, skin and digestive problems.  I want to buy the best food that I can afford. Any info you offer will be great.

Answer
Hi Megan-

Well 9/10 that allergy is to grain. Most dogs can't stomach it at all. It would be a much rarer situation if he were actually allergic to chicken.

Innova Evo is excellent, as is blue buffalo. California natural and timberwolf is also good, but not as good as Evo or BB. I'd also recomend that you look into Wellness Core Ocean if you are looking for a chicken free, grain free food. Otherwise, Wellness core, Innova EVO, Taste of the Wild and Orijjen would all be good bets.

High protein and no grain IS a more natural diet for dogs, who are built to subsist on 70% raw meat, 27% raw bones, and 2% offal and scavanged food. Its litteraly the way their bodies are meant to digest food. There is some controversy about especially high protein diets on dogs that are not used to it in processed foods, so if you are concerned about too high of a protein, I would stay under 40%. Most dogs can easily handle up to 43% in a commercial food however. In non processed, raw diets, protein makes up more then 80% of the diet.

You will me amazed at the difference in your GSD once you switch him to grain free high protein food. Skin and digestion problems will melt away, and bloat is no where near as common in high protein foods because so much of it gets digested. When there is a huge lump of undigestable corn, wheat, flour and soy bean hulls sitting in a dogs stomach, its much more likely to bloat.

I would also recommend since you seem so interested in finding the absolute best diet that you look into Raw feeding. My dogs have been on raw feeding for several years now and I would not look back. While 6 star commercial foods like Innova EVO red bites, blue buffalo and Wellness CORE *mimick* a raw diet, seeing your dog thrive on whole raw meat, bones, and carcasses, is something totally different. If indeed he is allergic to chicken it would make it a little harder, but not impossible.

Here are some websites for you to consider:
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ (Click on 6 star foods and browse)

and also

http://www.rawmeatybones.com/ (I prefer the RMB diet to the BARF diet.)


Good luck with him! I hope this helps!