We're big fans of Victoria Stilwell's show It's Me or the Dog at our house (my 3-year-old kid, especially). I was wondering if anyone else had read her book and what you thought of it
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I love the show, and flipped through her book at the store. The only thing that caught my eye was how she advocates a very low protein diet for all dogs, which rather flies in the face of current research about domesticated dogs and their nutritional needs. Otherwise, it was pretty much what you see on the show, but condensed into an easy to read, instructive format.
I believe some study out there showed that higher protein diets can increase aggression, but I'm not sure if that's only in cases where the dog was aggressive to begin with.
It was a little while ago that I read it but I think it was related to aggression, or at least over-stimulation. I think she also said they "don't need" much protein, and get "most of their nutritional needs from carbohydrates". If I remember correctly, she did the vague "experts say" without referencing any sources.
What? wow. That's just plain silly. Wild Canines out there are not gulping down mostly carbs and very little protein. That's too bad since some people might read that and not do further research.
Too much protein in the diet leads to kidney failure/kidney problems. I know because I am one of those people who has kind ney problems, so I learned all about this crap when I was first diagnosed. I assume the same for a lot of other living creatures, since protein affects kidneys.
No, but other canines would be the closest relatives to compare them to. Perfect? No, but better than comparing them to humans.
I doubt dingos eat larger amount of carbs then protein. Feral dogs, village dogs, etc. scavenge so I'm sure they eat carbs as well as meats. Anything they can find, even human waste I have read. But I still don't think they eat a higher proportion of carbs.
And I don't feel you can compare an individual with kidney problems to a healthy individual. Just like a diabetic might need to monitor and limit or increase his sugar intake, a healthy person does not. Someone with hypertension should limit their salt intake. Someone with PKU will die if they eat phenylalanine, but for someone without that medical problem it does not pose a health risk.
Why would there be carnivores out there at all if too much protein causes kidney issues? It doesn't seem like nature would have selected for a diet that is harmful.
Dog and human systems are different. Their systems are designed for higher protein amounts than your system. You're designed to process and digest mostly plant matter, and a little meat, if any. Dogs have shorter, smooth intestines for quicker digestion, sharp teeth for gnawing and rending, their stomachs have higher acidity and so does their saliva. That doesn't mean they need ridiculous quantities of protein in their diet, but they are built to handle more protein than people are, since they are predatory scavengers and naturally subsist mostly on meat.
There was one particular episode with a black lab, Lottie. The dog was a habitual poo eater. She said that the dog was eating the food too fast and not digesting it, and since it was so high in protein it made the poo taste like the food. She changed the dogs food and had the owner train the dog to eat slower. I didn't really agree with the food advice, but she's had good ideas for other problems.
I remember that one now. I'm not sure how easting fast translates to digesting fast. But I'd say I agree with her on 80% of the things she does and says.
Maybe if the dog swallows large kibble whole, the body can't break it down? I've changed plenty of toddler diapers with large chunks of swallowed-whole food still identifiable at the other end. (Sorry for the image guys.)
Although I still disagree it has to do with the speed of eating and swallowing. It has more to do with the food eaten and if the body is good at breaking it down or not. Carrots for example can come out a dog the same way they went in. But I have never seen a hunk of chicken come out intact, no matter who large the piece. Indi has gulped chicken wings whole, after mashing the bones a bit. She's only 20 pounds but that chicken wing, bones, skin and all, is always completely digested by the time it comes out.
True, true. It likely has a lot more to do with the quality/content of the kibble (corn, anyone??) than how fast it's eaten.
Someone like Oprah needs to do a show about what's in poor-quality dog food, and how to read ingredients, etc. Of course the Pedigree and Iams (etc.) of the world would freak out!
Exactly. Which is why I find it odd she recommends a low protein food for this problem. What we need is more filler! More ingredients that the dog doesn't need. It's so obvious!
Yeah, poor Oprah. She'd probably get sued again like the did from the Beef Counsel or whatever organization went nuts on her.
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I believe some study out there showed that higher protein diets can increase aggression, but I'm not sure if that's only in cases where the dog was aggressive to begin with.
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Our dogs aren't wild canines.
Too much protein in the diet leads to kidney failure/kidney problems. I know because I am one of those people who has kind ney problems, so I learned all about this crap when I was first diagnosed. I assume the same for a lot of other living creatures, since protein affects kidneys.
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*kidney, not kind ney...WTF...LOL
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I doubt dingos eat larger amount of carbs then protein. Feral dogs, village dogs, etc. scavenge so I'm sure they eat carbs as well as meats. Anything they can find, even human waste I have read. But I still don't think they eat a higher proportion of carbs.
And I don't feel you can compare an individual with kidney problems to a healthy individual. Just like a diabetic might need to monitor and limit or increase his sugar intake, a healthy person does not. Someone with hypertension should limit their salt intake. Someone with PKU will die if they eat phenylalanine, but for someone without that medical problem it does not pose a health risk.
Why would there be carnivores out there at all if too much protein causes kidney issues? It doesn't seem like nature would have selected for a diet that is harmful.
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Although I still disagree it has to do with the speed of eating and swallowing. It has more to do with the food eaten and if the body is good at breaking it down or not. Carrots for example can come out a dog the same way they went in. But I have never seen a hunk of chicken come out intact, no matter who large the piece. Indi has gulped chicken wings whole, after mashing the bones a bit. She's only 20 pounds but that chicken wing, bones, skin and all, is always completely digested by the time it comes out.
Reply
Someone like Oprah needs to do a show about what's in poor-quality dog food, and how to read ingredients, etc. Of course the Pedigree and Iams (etc.) of the world would freak out!
Reply
Yeah, poor Oprah. She'd probably get sued again like the did from the Beef Counsel or whatever organization went nuts on her.
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