[heidis_parents]

Hello,

I wanted to ask if a higher level of protein in dog food would help with adding some weight to our 2 year old female? We were thinking of adding some of Taste of the Wild "wetland" food to her diet. It has 32% protein content where the Canidae has 25% I believe. Could someone maybe give some input on what the different levels of protein makes in dog food and the advantages/disadvantages of a higher level protein food.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[roxy84]

that is a good question (helpful, aren't i). i would not think it would help with weight gain, since the canidae is almost 100 cals more per cup--468 vs 375. the totw is higher in fat % though. im sure someone more well versed in nutrition will chime in.

 

[MikeB06]

Ususally with higher protein comes higher fat and higher calorie too. The higher fat could add more weight but if you are feeding CANIDAE or another adult food how much are you feeding per meal/per day? Depending on exercise levels too come into play on weight gain.

I suspect that is your are feeding the correct amount per day that your 2 yr old could benefit from adding a digestive enzyme supplement with each meal. Many GSD's don't digest well and thus don't gain weight.

Over the years I have seen dramatic results in just adding 1/4 tsp. PROZYME per cup of food to each meal. One of my training clients went from feeding her female GSD 6 cups a day with no weight gain to 3 cups a day adding Prozyme and added the needed weight gain. The dog looked amazing in less than 90 days. I have seen this many many time over.

No harm in trying.

 

[heidis_parents]

Thanks for the input. MikeB06 where can you get Prozyme?

 

[gretasgifttome]

I just found the website and ordered the free sample for Dag, my foster puppy that is not gaining weight.

http://www.prozymestore.com/

 

[LisaT]

In general, I think that dogs benefit from higher *meat* protein. However, a lot of the protein in kibble is not from meat, so you have to be careful of your ingredient list, since amounts aren't broken down.

My dogs both do better on digestive enzymes, but neither could tolerate prozyme. So if that one doesn't work, you might try another.