Can I feed a large breed puppy a high protein diet?
September 1st, 2008 | by Jared |
Carl R asked:
I have heard conflicting stories about whether it is safe to feed a large breed puppy a high-protein diet (e.g., 30%+). Specifically, we will be getting a Kuvasz puppy in a few weeks. The males get up to around 115 pounds (not giant, but certainly large). Some people have told me you definitely need to feed a large breed puppy a high protein diet. Others have told me feeding a high protein diet is bad for the long-term health of a dog, particularly as it can promote developmental bone problems later in life. What I cannot find, however, is any scientific research on this. So… which is it?
I have heard conflicting stories about whether it is safe to feed a large breed puppy a high-protein diet (e.g., 30%+). Specifically, we will be getting a Kuvasz puppy in a few weeks. The males get up to around 115 pounds (not giant, but certainly large). Some people have told me you definitely need to feed a large breed puppy a high protein diet. Others have told me feeding a high protein diet is bad for the long-term health of a dog, particularly as it can promote developmental bone problems later in life. What I cannot find, however, is any scientific research on this. So… which is it?
15 Responses to “Can I feed a large breed puppy a high protein diet?”
By Kaley D on Sep 3, 2008 | Reply
Consult your vet before you get the dog, he/she will be able to answer that question properly. Also it’s important to find the kind of food your dog is eating before you get her and change her diet slowly. Puppies tend to get diahrrea if you just up and switch their food.
By allyalexmch on Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
There has been a lot of myths that too much protien in a puppy/senior dog’s diet will lead to kidney problems and other medical conditions this is simply not true., In fact, too little protien will slow the growth rate in a puppy.
However soy protien found in some dog foods will increase gas, weight and could cause bloat. Make sure the food you are feeding does not have soy protien in it.
By marina on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I asked a question very similar to yours.
By Kris B on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
Iams Large Breed puppy - It’s DRY so you don’t have to worry about the poisoning scare going on - and my German Shepherd/Catahoula is now bigger than me and still happy, healthy, and smart.
By teenytiny on Sep 14, 2008 | Reply
buy large bred puppy food, kuvasz is not a giant breed dog and most puppy food will do fine but to stay on the safe side stick with a large bred puppy food or ask the breeder you got the dog from what kind of food does she feed her/his pups. The breeder often time knows and if you liked the size and structure of there dogs then take them as an example
By bear2zealand on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
I feed my German Shepherds a 26% protein diet. The studies that have been done with the Shepherds and Panosteitis is that a lower protien food is actually a better choice. The pup will get to its size eventually. I would much rather have a pup grow at a slower rate than a faster one. Depending on the bloodlines, I switch my pups over to an adult food that does not have too much calcium for them around the age of 4 months.
By MOON on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
I keep my pups on Purina Puppy Chow until they are about 6 mo. old–then I put them on high protein food–large-active dogs need the high protein!!
By Melinda on Sep 20, 2008 | Reply
Can I feed my dog too much protein?
If your dog eats too much protein, some will be excreted in the urine and the rest will be used as calories or converted to fat - causing your dog no harm. However, if your dog has a kidney problem, high protein diets are not recommended. Most pet food companies slightly exceed the minimum recommended protein requirements to ensure that dogs get adequate protein from their food.
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How can I tell if my food has enough protein?
Generally, purchasing a reputable, quality brand of dog food that fits your dog’s activity level will be just fine. However if your dog has special protein needs, or you want to find the best possible food for your budget, then you must interpret the often-confusing label.
Keep in mind that the protein level shown on the bag or can does not indicate the percentage of digestible protein, just the overall protein content. In quality foods, digestibility is between 70 and 80%. In lesser-quality foods, the digestibility could drop to 60% or less. To roughly determine the amount of digestible protein, read the ingredients and note the order in which they appear. Ingredients are listed in order of weight. Chicken and lamb are very digestible, and if they are listed as the first ingredient on the label, you can assume the food is a good quality protein source. If the first ingredient is chicken by-product or other meat by-products (which are lower in digestibility), the food is an acceptable protein source. Poorly digestible sources include meat meal and bone meal.
Remember, grains are not as digestible sources of protein and contribute heavily toward the carbohydrate load. Some companies will list a meat source initially, then follow that meat by three different forms of corn - hiding the fact that the main ingredient is corn, just divided into three different products.
It is a good idea to follow this general rule: try to find a food in the upper to middle price range. And keep in mind the highest-priced foods are not necessarily the best foods, and the lowest-priced foods are not always of poor quality.
By Jo on Sep 23, 2008 | Reply
I know that giant breed dogs are often prone to growth related illnesses or other illnesses that make high protein foods a poor choice. I have a sister that has Danes and her VET has them on foods which he recommends them to be below 20 percent. Check with your Vet according to the health of your dog. She feeds her dogs Nature’s Recipe Venison and Rice because it fits the ideal protein range and has no BHA, BHT which are toxic preservatives.
There are many excellent foods out there, but check with your VET about the protein needs of your dog, then a nutritionist about the best brands for your dog.
My sister the Dane owner also feeds her dogs Dan Active Yogurt for their immune systems and digestive system.
Avoid rawhides and cooked bones!
Royal Canin is another great food that has tailored food products for different breeds and breed types.
There are so many great brands out now, but your first step is Vet to see if your dog needs a lower protein diet.
By katie_14 on Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
I have a large dog (Newfoundland Dog) and when he was a puppy we feed him Purina 1 large breed puppy food, but just talk to the owner of ur local pet food store and he/she will give u a list of the best puppy foods for ur dog. A puppy should get an even amount of all his/her vitamins, but if u have a large breed u will want to buy food with glucosamine
By Shepherdgirl on Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
You should not feed a high protein diet to large or giant breed dogs because it causes rapid growth which could cause bone and development problems. You want your pup to grow slowly so lower protein is better. I feed shepherd pups Canidae, it is an all stage food so there is no need to change foods once the pup becomes an adult. It is also a holistic food with no by-products or fillers and it has 23% protein.
By SUSAN C on Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
I have English Mastiffs and I didn’t feed large breed puppy food to them when they were young. You should try to find food with a 26% or lower protein level. You want your puppy to grow at a slow pace so it won’t affect their hips and elbows when they are older. I always put new puppies on adult food with low protein levels. Hope this helped.
By Boxer Enthusiast on Oct 2, 2008 | Reply
You can, but it’s not a good idea.
It promotes fast tissue and bone growth, which is a strain on the pup’s body and can lead to health issues. Better to feed them a lower protien diet and have them grow slower, then have ‘em grow like bean poles and give them health problems.
In reality, alot of puppy foods have too much protein for their life stage. It’s probably best if you can find a all-stage food. Usually a good medium for pups.
Just make sure it’s a dog food your pup will eat, and is high-end and therefore extremely healthy.
And if you’re worried, there’s alwasy the option of calling up the vet. They don’t charge - I promise.
By Goldengal on Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
NO NO NO. The protein is way to high. Too much protein cause the pup to grow to quickly and the bones to grow to quickly. Bone malformations and joint problems including Knuckling can happen.. Look for a Large Breed puppy food. I recommend NUTRO large breed dry food. Look at all the protein levels carefully before you buy the food.
You have been given conflicting information, what your should concern yourself with is that it be for Large breed pups.
I have bred and raised Large breed, solid boned Golden’s for many years and I have always feed Large breed food to both my pups and adults. I now own 2 male Golden’s who’s weight is 90 pounds each.
By th3dogmomma on Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
Here are a couple of great websites:
Too much calcium is bad. It is believed that over supplementation of calcium can cause Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy, Osteochondrosis, and Hip Dysplasia.
Too much energy (I assume this refers to carbohydrates) is bad because you don’t want the dog carrying excessive weight on a developing skeletal system. It can cause permanent damage which will leave the dog in pain.
Too much protein is bad, again because of the energy issue. The overage of protein the dog cannot use as protein will be converted to energy and it brings the weight problem again.
The recommended percentages are on the Newman Veterinary website.