[GrammaD]

Soy makes dogs really gassy. I can only guess peas and lentils will do the same.

What's more disturbing is they bring the protein levels up with these lentils, peas, and soy. And dogs can use animal protein much easier than plant proteins as the gas will prove to you

And the protein levels aren't even all that high. Things that make you go hmmmmm

 

[NancyJ]

And the protein levels aren't even all that high. Things that make you go hmmmmm

And the amino acid profiles are not complete......grains + legumes = complete protein. But dogs *do* process meat protein better.

Grains really not added to dog feeds for the protein though is that the claim the bean and pea folks are making or is it just another new marketing twist? Don't get me wrong - I am having lentil soup and cornbread for dinner tonight. [but my dogs aren't]

 

[msvette2u]

I always heard that too, that's why Beans and Rice are great together.

I think the purpose of any starch in dog food, be it grain or pea, is to stick the rest of the ingredients together??

 

[3ToesTonyismydog]

So you take a balanced dog food and add more meat to it? What do you do to balance out the calcium if you are only adding meat?

LOL, thanks funny.

 

[RocketDog]

Lentils are a complete protein. At least for humans...has anyone here used any of the dog foods that have them in it?

 

[3ToesTonyismydog]

And the amino acid profiles are not complete......grains + legumes = complete protein. But dogs *do* process meat protein better.

Grains really not added to dog feeds for the protein though is that the claim the bean and pea folks are making or is it just another new marketing twist? Don't get me wrong - I am having lentil soup and cornbread for dinner tonight. [but my dogs aren't]

I have posted numerous times about what the grains are made of that is in dog food kibble. If you don't believe me, find a dog food manufacturing plant in your area and ask them for a visit. When and if you get in, ask to look at the grain they are using. There is no good proteins coming from the grains they use. YES, I have gone through 2 different plants and it might shock you. I see why people make their own dog food. I talked to the Pulsar sales lady and they made no such claim but then she figured out right away that I had a grip on dog food.

The Dog Food Project - Is too much protein harmful?

 

[Jax08]

Why is my question funny? I really want to know what you do to balance out the calcium if you are only adding meat and creating an imbalanced diet. It's a perfectly legitimate question. If you don't have the answer, that's ok.

 

[I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO]

Why is my question funny? I really want to know what you do to balance out the calcium if you are only adding meat and creating an imbalanced diet. It's a perfectly legitimate question. If you don't have the answer, that's ok.

I don't know why your question was funny either, but according to Monica Segal, you can add up to a certain percentage of diet in meat and other foods without worrying about balancing it. I can't think of what the percentage is off the top of my head- maybe 1/3?

 

[Jax08]

I"m sure you can, especially since the kibbles have a range of vitamins/minerals, but it is going to depend on how much is being added. If it's significant then it needs to be balanced.

 

[GrammaD]

Lentils are a complete protein. At least for humans...has anyone here used any of the dog foods that have them in it?

No, lentils are short 2 amino acids, methionine and cysteine, unless sprouted.

In dog food they are used as a binder/filler, just like grains, but tend to artificially inflate the protein content (artificially since the bioavailability to dogs is practically nil)

So many of the grain free foods are taking a free ride on the myth train, counting on people to not question whether potatoes or legumes/pulses are any better than brown rice or oatmeal etc

 

[RocketDog]

Interesting! I just saw my rhuematologist and his Naturopath last Tuesday...they both told me that. Guess I'll have some info to take back next time, LOL.

Yes, I wondered about that.

 

[NancyJ]

I believe quinoa is complete....

 

[NancyJ]

No, lentils are short 2 amino acids, methionine and cysteine, unless sprouted.

In dog food they are used as a binder/filler, just like grains, but tend to artificially inflate the protein content (artificially since the bioavailability to dogs is practically nil)

So many of the grain free foods are taking a free ride on the myth train, counting on people to not question whether potatoes or legumes/pulses are any better than brown rice or oatmeal etc

I completely believe you are right. Basically if a dog has allergy or digestive problems with a certain ingredient it should be avoided but for goodness sake, MEAT allergies are common allergies in dogs.

The stuff about corn stalks being ground up into feedstuffs is a bit hard for me to believe. .. At least if it is not listed under one of the many byproduct names such as "Corn Cellulose" or "DDGS" as opposed to "ground yellow corn" or "corn gluten meal"

Grains, Potatoes, Beans, all if highly processed do provide less expensive calories than meat products as well as help "hold it together" for the food.

All this talk about food is making me hungry. Lets go to the fast food joint and chow down on some pink slime, everlasting fries, and surreal artificially flavored milkshakes. MMMMMMMMMMM.

 

[Catu]

From an ecological point of view, I think using non human grade meat and chicken and byproducts is the most ethical think to do. Human grade food should be used to feed humans, not used to make kibble dog food, as long as that food provides the nutritional needs of the dogs. It has been that way for 30.000 years.

When I lived in Santiago I used to buy a lot of turkey necks until I couldn't find them anymore and I discovered they are being sold to Africa... it makes you think.

Yes, there are those of us who like to consider dogs as family members and want the best of the best for them and raw is a perfect option for that. But lets face it, we are only having this discussion because we have more food than what we need, and in the big scheme of things, if our dogs eat chicken breast or chicken carcasses is not that important.

 

[shepherdmom]

All this talk about food is making me hungry. Lets go to the fast food joint and chow down on some pink slime, everlasting fries, and surreal artificially flavored milkshakes. MMMMMMMMMMM.

Dont forget the clay thickner in those milkshakes.

 

[robinhuerta]

Making a pet owner feel inadequate because they feed basic, commercial dog food....is the same as making parents think they are poor parents because financially, they have the need to shop at Aldi and Bargain Grocery Stores.......

Choosing what to feed your dog *for what ever reason* makes no difference in being a better or not owner.....JMO

 

[msvette2u]

Making a pet owner feel inadequate because they feed basic, commercial dog food....is the same as making parents think they are poor parents because financially, they have the need to shop at Aldi and Bargain Grocery Stores.......

Choosing what to feed your dog *for what ever reason* makes no difference in being a better or not owner.....JMO

:applause:

 

[3ToesTonyismydog]

Why is my question funny? I really want to know what you do to balance out the calcium if you are only adding meat and creating an imbalanced diet. It's a perfectly legitimate question. If you don't have the answer, that's ok.

I think is funny because
1. I have posted many times that I feed Orijen and am adding Pulsar.
2. Fresh meat is what dogs were put on this planet to eat, not grains, potatoes, peas, fruits, nuts, vegetables or any other goofy stuff some people think dogs need.
3. I really don't care about calcium #'s, I look at quality of food. If your feeding 1 of the foods I listed then your way off base.
4. Dog's rarely get the amount of meat that they really need.
5. I disagree with most post's I see on the forums here.
6. Imbalanced diet???? Whatever gives you the thought feeding even 1/2 of a dogs diet meat would put it out of balance? Sure a wild meat source would be way better, but that's not possible.
7. I totally love rocking the boat.
8. You would be shocked at what I do for a living.

 

[Lucy Dog]

Mods... can we please bend the board rules for like 20 minutes. Pretty please.

 

[Wolfgeist]

All this talk about balance... strict ratios...

Go tell that to the wolves... heck, tell that to all the wild animals on planet earth.