Re: Re: [pyrnet] Food issues

[Blue Steel Great Pyrenees <bluesteel.greatpyrenees@verizon.net>]

Hey Tracy,

Quality of protein not quantity is the key.   Though raw fed dogs are fed (or at least mine our) a variety of meats / bones - some would have higher protein content on some days while other days the meat protein would be lower.   BUT it is the quality that counts and I am not sure if these studies are just based on kibble or a combo (have to confess have not read them all).

JMHO - many kibbles though listing meat as their main ingredient making one assume that they are receiving lots of meats....should really count up all vegetable and grains listed as well - they will outway the benefit of the meat....   I belive if you measure how much food you give in a bowl - and then when that dog relieves himself use the same measuring tool to pick it up - think most folks would be amazed of how much came out opposed to what they put in.... ;-0   Makes one wonder how much benefit and how much utilization of the food actually occured here.

Take care,
Dianne
> 
> From: "Tracy" <espinay@bigpond.com>
> Date: 2004/11/01 Mon PM 03:57:00 EST
> To: <pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [pyrnet] Food issues
> 
> << I am wondering if anyone can document the idea that a lesser (fat,
> protein or whatever) type food influences the growth rate of bones at all?
> >> Joe
> 
> There is a lot of research into to effect of different nutrients on growth.
> Here are a few references I have readily to hand.  I can get more off
> medline etc, but need some time to sit down and do it:
> 
> http://www.pedigreebreeder.com.au/features/nutrition/default.asp?s
> "Protein nutrition is obviously still not completely understood,
> however it is an essential part of every dog's diet. You can't give
> too much protein in your dog's diet; however quality not quantity
> makes the difference."
> 
> http://www.purina.com/breeders/magazine.asp?article=256
> "Dietary protein requirements are much higher for growing puppies
> than for fully grown dogs. In addition to supplying the protein needed to
> support protein turnover and normal cellular metabolism, protein is
> needed to build growing muscles and other tissues."
> 
> "Concern about protein causing developmental bone problems in
> large-breed puppies has led some breeders to reduce the amount
> of protein they fed. However, in research published in 1993 based on
> studies of Great Dane puppies at Utrecht University in the
> Netherlands, it was shown that dietary protein does not contribute
> to these problems."
> 
> "Herman A. Hazewinkel, D.V.M., Ph.D., professor of veterinary
> medicine at Utrecht University, led the research that found no detrimental
> effects from protein levels up to 32 percent of the diet. However,
> puppies fed a diet of only 15 percent protein showed evidence of
> inadequate protein intake."
> 
> "Too low protein decreases the growth rate of puppies and also
> their immunological response," Hazewinkel says. "This is true for large-
> and small-breed puppies. An adequate protein level should be higher
> than 15 percent."
> 
> "This study, conducted in young Great Danes during their first
> half-year of life (my note - this may be important as they are only talking
> of pups up to 6 months of age and not older) , concluded that dietary
> protein increased to 32 percent does not negatively affect skeletal or
> cartilage
> development in these dogs. The research also confirmed that dietary protein
> did not have detrimental effects on liver and kidney functioning."
> 
> http://www.eukanuba-eu.com/Portugal/dx3.htm
> This article reiterates that high protein does not cause OCD or HD,
> in either the hips or elbows:
> 
> Research into the growth of Great Danes (Nap RC, The
> Netherlands,) has shown that the protein level of a diet has no significant
> influence on skeletal development.  High protein intake does not result in
> increased risk for OCD or HD, and there is no effect on the
> development in the longitudinal growth of the bone."
> 
> In relation to other nutrients however:
> 
> http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/iewg/nap.htm
> "In addition to excessive calcium intake, researchers have shown
> that over nutrition can also initiate these disturbances in skeletal
> maturation and growth.  An excess protein intake, without an
> excess of other nutrients revealed NOT to influence skeletal maturation and
> growth in growing Great Danes (Ref. 2)."
> 
> "Disturbances of skeletal growth were also seen in research
> animals (Great Danes), which were energy restrictedly raised on a food with
> a normal calcium level (1.0~56 calcium on dry matter base,
> according to the requirements of dogs as followed by many of the
> manufacturers and owners for dog food preparation).  Therefore we now advise
> to raise dogs, vulnerable for these skeletal diseases, on a balanced food
> with a calcium content decreased to 0.8 or 0.9% on dmb (dry matter basis)."
> 
> "Therefore it is advised not to feed young dogs ad libitum or
> excessively, to prevent the development of (causative factors for)
> osteoartrosis.  It is also common practice to advise a weight loosing
> programme to those dogs which suffer from osteoarthrosis as an
> aspect of conservative treatment or as an aid in surgical treatment of dogs
> with ED."
> 
> http://www4.nas.edu/news.nsf/isbn/0309086280?OpenDocument
> "The most obvious way to help a dog trim down is to feed it smaller
> amounts of food on its regular feeding schedule......... Owners may also
> choose a low-calorie "diet" dog food or food high in fiber, which may help
> the dog feel full without consuming too many calories.  Too much fiber,
> however, can reduce the absorption of important nutrients."
> 
> Tracy Bassett
> Murrumbateman, Australia
> espinay@bigpond.com
> 
> 
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