Is Switch From 32% To 22% Protein Too Drastic?

[Guest gryhnd3]

Healthy 4 year old, seems to be able to eat a variety of kibble without any problems. Looking to switch her from current food which is 32% protein and 18% fat to one that is 22% protein and 12% fat? Is that too drastic for the body (would be very slow switch, mixing in new amount slowly over weeks) - should I go down to perhaps 27% protein kibble first, before going to 22% protein?

First group of ingredients in 32% protein kibble are chicken, chicken meal, peas, chickpeas, menhaden fish meal, chicken fat, pea fiber, pea starch. First group of ingredients in 22% protein kibble are whitefish meal, sweet potatoes, ground barley, rye flour, potatoes, menhaden fish meal, canola oil, ground flaxseed.

 

[turbotaina]

Any reason you're switching? I like to keep protein levels at mid-20s and up for young active dogs.

 

At any rate, I wouldn't think a gradual downshift in protein level would cause GI upset.

[Guest gryhnd3]

I'm switching to save a little money and also to give her variety. I wasn't thinking of GI upset, guess thinking of other problems with the body wrt protein, 32 to 22 seems like a big drop to me, wanted to see what others thought. I'll keep looking for something 25-28% to try. She is very active.

[cleptogrey]

thin skinned dogs seem to need a fat content around 14% and protein around 22-24% to maintain good coat and skin. i think the change will not affect anything except elimination. they can only process so much- you might need a cold pressed salmon oil for the coat. but rocket fuel- the high protein food isn't really necessary for an indoor- non-working dog. with the fish based kibble you are changing to there shouldn't be any problems, maybe farts, but fish based foods can be excellent.

[Guest gryhnd3]

She gets three wild salmon oil capsules a day now. Her output is a bit large IMO, so hoping she may have smaller eliminations on a different food. Well, after hours of looking...I think I'll try Fromm Salmon a la veg. It's 25% protein, 16% fat, which I guess is still a little high re: fat. The fiber drops from current food of 7% to 3.5%. Normally we have always fed kibble with protein in the 20's % range, just don't recall why I originally bought this 32% one. Not saving any money, which was another goal, but I have used Fromm in the past and feel it is a good brand, and hopefully they are still offering the buy 12, get one free bag .

[tbhounds]

She doesn't need that high of protein and fat unless she's working, racing etc... I wouldn't hesitate to change foods-just switch over a 7-10 period to avoid GI upset (sibo).

Edited to add-I'm currently feeding my boy Solid Gold WolfKing. It's a bison based food with moderate protein and fiber and naturally lower in fat. Know about 4 other hounds on it and they are all doing well on it. Not cheap though :-( but, no ingredients are sourced from china either (huge plus for me!)

Edited December 21, 2014 by tbhounds

[cleptogrey]

i am doing a combo of http://www.holisticselect.com/recipes.aspx?pet=dog- the lamb and rice- 15% fat and 22% protein and http://blueseal.com/files/feeding-and-mgmt/dog-cat/LifeStages_LambRiceDog.pdf- lamb and rice 12% fat and 22% protein for economics. felix seems to need what ever the holistic select has to maintain his weight. he's eating 2 c - blue seal, 1.5 c holistic select and there is a marked difference.

3.5 c of blue seal for annie- she can eat ground tires and still look fantastic. i think the fromm might be more expensive than HS- but it's a good food, it just didn't agree w/ felix. HS has a fish food- and monthly $5 coupons on Facebook.

[Jerilyn]

My feed store still does the buy 12 bags of Fromm get one free. Sign up on Fromm's website too, they occassionally send coupons.