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Maybe a dumb question- can a lower protein food lower a dog's energy?

   
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Jasper

an oodle of fun!		 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:04pm PST 
Hi,
So it's been years since I was in Biology class and cannot remember much about carb, fat and protein info. red face

Jasper was eating Wellness Core Ocean and doing great for about 2 months. Then my husband got him some Lamb Super5Mix to try out to see if he is allergic (no symptoms), plus we really love Wellness products.

I am noticing Jasper has less energy lately- could it be the protein levels in the food? I remembered the Core is 34% and the lamb is 22%. Could the change in protein effect his energy level?

It seems like Orijen was too much for him (he did not do well on it at all) and Wellness Core (34% protein) was a good match protein wise. Is it best to stay in one protein level (say mid thirties percentile) if I am rotating?

His poops look great- nice and small. I have not noticed any other health related concerns/red flags.

On another note, my friend special ordered 2 bags of Acana Grasslands (one for Jas as a present). The protein level in Acana Grasslands is 34%.

Ideas?

Failed to mention the lamb formula does have grains (Jas does not have allergies to any known grains) and the Core and Acana are grain free.

Edited by author Mon Nov 2, '09 8:09pm PST

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Chocolate

Every cute dog- deserves meat!		 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:07pm PST 
yeah I would stick with CORE ocean after your done with the bag.
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Sherpa Tanuk- of Everest

Team Werewolf		 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:10pm PST 
Personally, I say don't fix what ain't broke. If he was consistently doing well on the Core, then stick with that. Lower protein can definitely affect energy levels in pets. Think about it this way, less energy in, then less energy out. Now of course this depends on how hyper you want him. wink
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Bama A.K.A- "Buddybear"

'Just as cuddly- as i look!'
 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:18pm PST 
Bama seems to play more since we put him on TOTW, it's a lil higher in protein than the NB that he was eating.
I still wish Brodie could eat it since they are doing so good on it.
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Boston

King of- everything
 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:21pm PST 
I dont know because I always thought that to. That higher protein will give more energy. Makes sense to me but I now think it must depend on the individual. Because my dogs have been eating Merrick cowboy cook out its lower in protein to. 21 or 22%. They are used to foods in the low 40's. Well they are every bit as nuts on this food as they are on Orijen and EVO. They are always a ball of energy no matter what they eat. Perfect for me though as I am to.smile
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Jasper

an oodle of fun!		 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:24pm PST 
Thanks Chocolate and Tanuk-

Do you think it is wise to stick with Core in general or do you think it is ok to try other foods within the same protein range as Core?

Poor Jasper has been out to sea for months now and I can tell he is fished out. We were crossing our fingers that he was not allergic to at least one other protein and are grateful to have experimented. He can eat fish, bison/buffalo and now seems to have no issues with lamb. Is it worth it to try out our free bag of Acana Grasslands or should we go back to the Ocean ?laugh out loud

We were hoping to try Core Original eventually- to see if Jasper is truly allergic to chicken. I don't want to do too much rotating, although I can tell he appreciates the variety.

More ideas?
Thank!applause
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Jasper

an oodle of fun!		 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:25pm PST 
Thanks too Bama and Boston! big grin
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Brodie Bear

The Furry- Bull-Dozer
 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:28pm PST 
I may be wrong for saying this, but since he has issues if u find one that works really well, I don't see the point in rotating when u have a dog that is so sensitive to diff things. That's how I feel about Brodie.
I understand the 'want to' though bc u are always wondering maybe the dog will do even better on another food!
I am wanting to try TOTW again for Brodie next time I get another bag of the pacific, I keep hoping he reacted to that last bag bc maybe I got one of the batches that had chicken in it. But, who knows.
Our main issue w/brodie and NB is he does get some dandruff.
But, he looks WAY better than before we found that food for him.
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Jasper

an oodle of fun!		 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:41pm PST 
Hey Brodie- I totally agree with you. I have to admit though I think I over- reacted over the summer and that I was completely confused if Jasper was allergic to the protein in the foods he was eating or if it was the environment.

He is still young and I was raised with dogs and cats with allergies- so I think I automatically thought he needed a L.I.D. and that would help everything. Since the season has changed he hardly ever itches or bites at himself. A few months ago I was sure he was allergic to everything- now I can see he is not showing any symptoms of food allergies- and we have since tried lamb and bison successfully with no symptoms. Jasper has never had ear infections/yeasty ears, vomiting or diarrhea- and the vet said those symptoms are very common with food allergies, so I am pretty confident he suffers from seasonal allergies...but who knows shrug laugh out loud We are still working on that.

Forgot to mention- to my embarassment, Jasper has been eating Wellbars for like 2 months now that have chicken liver in them...not to blame the husband, but he got peanut butter Wellbars and threw out the box when he put them in the doggie cookie jar. I came to find out last week when I was getting more that they have chicken liver in them!!! red face Not sure if the small amount in the Wellbars would cause any allergic symptoms, but we have not noticed anything- and he eats maybe 3 or 4 a day.

Edited by author Mon Nov 2, '09 8:47pm PST

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Phoebe

Got meat? I do!
 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:46pm PST 
Rotation always worked for me when I fed kibble, and I never noticed any difference in my dogs' energy levels when they were on a grain-inclusive food in the rotation as opposed to a higher protein grain-free one. BUT, if you are noticing a difference, then it might be wise to go back to the Wellness Core after this current bag is finished. And like you said, maybe try the original WC and see how he goes on that. If you don't want to buy a whole bag, write to the company and ask them to send you a few samples. Or try K9Cuisine.com

Acana is a great food - I've never fed it because I could only order it online - even the local boutique store near me that carries Orijen doesn't carry the Acana for some reason. But yeah - try it - can't hurt. I still think it's a good idea to have at least two or three foods you can rotate between, just in case God forbid one of them had a recall or something. But ultimately you have to do what you think is best - you're the one who knows Jasper best.
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