Anyone feed Orijen or Acana?

[take4roll10]

That's what's tough about dog foods--there is a lot of information out there (anecdotal, research, etc.). It's good because you can hear a lot of different viewpoints, but it can also be overwhelming because two people can have opposing views, and still be backing their opinions up with facts!

I think the best we can do is research what we can, and try it out. If the dog does well (maintains a healthy weight, has good energy, etc.) then you can feel good about your choice.

At this point all you can do is make a decision that you feel best about.

Good luck!

Absolutely agree! There's a lot of contradicting stuff out there, so just go with your gut.

I feed a little bit of Acana in the morning and use it as treats, but I mostly feed commercial raw, which after removing the moisture is about a 50% protein.

From my understanding, it is not necessary the high protein content that makes it difficult for the kidneys to process, but it is the quality of the protein source. If the protein source is plant based like from peas & corn, it can be much more difficult for canine kidneys to process. The canine kidneys are not genetically developed to process excessive plant protein. But if the bulk of the protein comes from quality meat sources then the high % isn't much of a concern and the canine kidneys should be able to do their job.

I, personally would worry more about what the source of the protein is than the amount of protein. Logically more meat in the food is going to increase the protein, but check the food labels and make sure it is the meat that is increasing the protein and not pea fiber, etc.

 

[Cooper'sMama]

Absolutely agree! There's a lot of contradicting stuff out there, so just go with your gut.

I feed a little bit of Acana in the morning and use it as treats, but I mostly feed commercial raw, which after removing the moisture is about a 50% protein.

From my understanding, it is not necessary the high protein content that makes it difficult for the kidneys to process, but it is the quality of the protein source. If the protein source is plant based like from peas & corn, it can be much more difficult for canine kidneys to process. The canine kidneys are not genetically developed to process excessive plant protein. But if the bulk of the protein comes from quality meat sources then the high % isn't much of a concern and the canine kidneys should be able to do their job.

I, personally would worry more about what the source of the protein is than the amount of protein. Logically more meat in the food is going to increase the protein, but check the food labels and make sure it is the meat that is increasing the protein and not pea fiber, etc.

INGREDIENTS
Boneless chicken*, chicken meal, chicken liver*, whole herring*, boneless turkey*, turkey meal, turkey liver*, whole eggs*, boneless walleye*, whole salmon*, chicken heart*, chicken cartilage*, herring meal, salmon meal, chicken liver oil, chicken fat, red lentils, green peas, green lentils, sun-cured alfalfa, yams*, pea fiber, chickpeas, pumpkin*, butternut squash*, spinach greens*, carrots*, Red Delicious apples*, Bartlett pears*, cranberries*, blueberries*, brown kelp, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, Enterococcus faecium.
* FRESH AND PRESERVATIVE-FREE
SUPPLEMENTS
Vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast




GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

• Crude protein (min.)
• Crude fat (min.)
• Crude fiber (max.)
• Moisture (max.)
• Calcium (min./max)
• Phosphorus (min./max)
• Omega-6 (min.)
• Omega-3 (min.)
• DHA (min.)
• EPA (min.)
• Carbohydrate (max.)
• Ash (max.)
• Glucosamine (min.)
• Chondroitin (min.)
• pH

• 38 %
• 20 %
• 5 %
• 10 %
• 1.3 / 1.6 %
• 1 / 1.3 %
• 3.0 %
• 1.2 %
• 0.6 %
• 0.3 %
• 20 %
• 8 %
• 1500 mg/kg
• 1200 mg/kg
• 5.5

there is some pea fiber, but its mostly poultry and fish.

I am not to good with food ingredients.. am I right?

 

[Tilleysmom]

From my understanding, it is not necessary the high protein content that makes it difficult for the kidneys to process, but it is the quality of the protein source. If the protein source is plant based like from peas & corn, it can be much more difficult for canine kidneys to process. The canine kidneys are not genetically developed to process excessive plant protein. But if the bulk of the protein comes from quality meat sources then the high % isn't much of a concern and the canine kidneys should be able to do their job.

I, personally would worry more about what the source of the protein is than the amount of protein. Logically more meat in the food is going to increase the protein, but check the food labels and make sure it is the meat that is increasing the protein and not pea fiber, etc.

I agree with you 100%. That is exactly what I have been finding in the reading I have been doing on the subject.....the quality of the protein is much more important for healthy kidney function rather than the quantity. In fact, researchers are finding out that a dog will be able to maintain good health on a higher protein diet versus a lower protein diet, but the more biologically available the protein is, the better.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

From my understanding, it is not necessary the high protein content that makes it difficult for the kidneys to process, but it is the quality of the protein source. If the protein source is plant based like from peas & corn, it can be much more difficult for canine kidneys to process. The canine kidneys are not genetically developed to process excessive plant protein. But if the bulk of the protein comes from quality meat sources then the high % isn't much of a concern and the canine kidneys should be able to do their job.

This is exactly it.