Query about protein levels

FAJ · Enlightened One

Query about protein levels

Gail · Big Cheese

My understanding of this is that food should be less than 20% protein but as i am still quite new to being a greyhound mum then i may be wrong! Will look forward to seeing everyone else's advice.

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Fiona, the usual level recommended is no more that 20% protein in a PET food, but as anyone will notice if you read the protein levels on pet foods you find that most are actually over the recommended amount.

I feed

Arden Grange to my dogs (which is higher than 20%) and I have never had any issues or concerns and would recommend AG. Only in certain circumstances where there is a dog that is hyper/anxious/etc then I would advise to change the food to a lower level.

Hope this helps.

p.s. Looking forward to seeing you at Holyrood

FAJ · Enlightened One

Thanks, Gail and Siouxsie. I was thinking about Arden Grange because so many people on here swear by it but the 25% and 26% protein level is what's putting me off. I've been doing a bit of digging and found that supposedly that kind of protein percentage is appropriate for working dogs. It's very confusing.

We're trying them on James Wellbeloved at the moment but it's hellish expensive. Not that cost is the main criterion, but two bags per month at £38 each is a hefty jump up from two bags at £10 each!

We did a little taste test the other day by putting some of their usual food in a bowl and then some JWB. The usual food got a huffy look from Pearly but the JWB prompted very excited bouncing as she tried to climb into her bowl! Think she's trying to tell us something.......

Dave · Enlightened One

GAL's basic standard advice on this topic is always to quote 20% as being the upper limit for a Greyhound...thats the standard advice.

Let's delve a little deeper, firstly you'll be hard pushed these days to find any dog food with 20% or less down at your local Pets at Home, easier at a local pet shop that might order something in for you (or buy direct from a supplier / producer).

You've also got to take other things into consideration in terms of the dogs overall balanced diet, no point in feeding it summit with a low protein count then giving it a couple of treats jam packed full of the stuff (this is the equivelent of giving your healthy eating kid a mars bar dipped in sugar and a glass of coke to wash it down with 3 minutes before bed time.) Treats are an important and an often overlooked factor in a dogs diet.

A hyper dog would probably benefit from a lower protein diet and one of the first questions we always ask folks with dogs displaying behavioural problems is 'what do you feed it?'.

You've also got to weight up the other ingredients in a bag of food, you might think your onto a winner with something containing 14% protein but it's a bum deal when you discover it also contains 20% ash and 10% water, they do nothing for the dog and taken out of the equation spell a higher overall protein count than you think in that bag of food.

Another factor to consider is excersize, are you and your dog a two 20 minutes a day walker or are you a good 2 hours each day, romp in a secure field chasing deer and a huge secure back garden to plod around in type of walker?

Our hounds have finally made the switch permanently (at the moment) to Arden Grange - we used to chop and change mostly feeding Burns (18%) I nearly fell over when I read the ingredients on the AG and noted 26% protein, much nashing of teeth and thoughts of hyper dogs sprung to mind, didn't happen though. I think my message here is balance is the key with a weather eye on the dogs behaviour and condition when you change their food...

p.s. FAJ's taste test - no matter how much you love Spag Bol, you eat it every day for 12 months and if someone sticks a nice Curry down next to it the Curry is goany win hands down...

FAJ · Enlightened One

Okay, that's helpful - Dave, if you can feed your houseful of houndies AG on 25% protein with no hystrionics then it must be fine!

You're right about it being difficult to find anything much lower in protein. I've got a sore back from doing odd yoga postures trying to read the labels in Pets @ Home! Plus there's the issue of additives and all that kind of cr@p that we want to avoid.

WRT exercise, Harry and Pearly get 2 x 30 min walks through the day and one a bit longer in the evening, more at weekends. Pearly gets off-lead every day but Harry-boy with his dodgy leg is limited to a once-weekly bimble. WRT treats, they get very small rawhide chews, plus apples, carrots, that sort of healthy thing!

Looks like we'll give AG a go, but maybe cut down on the amount of times that they get sardines each week. Rightio, looks like we have a plan! Will keep you posted....

CAROLE ROBINSON · Old Hand

I have fed my dogs on Arden Grange for almost 2 years. There is a huge difference in age, character and physique of Ruby and Rosie, but they are both fed the same quantity and I have not noticed any change in their behaviours. Ruby remains placid and docile, Rosie continues to be as perky as ever. I have no hesitation in recommending this food.

MojoTilly · Master

We changed Tilly onto Arden Grange about a month ago and we can hardly believe the difference in her overall condition. She has put on the little bit of weight that she needed to and her coat has grown in lovely and shiny and in general better condition than before. We were worried about the levels of protein but it hasnt had any sort of adverse reaction to her at all. Would def recommend feeding arden grange to anyone, its def worth it!

Gail · Big Cheese

I currently feed Neo on Supa greyhound because that is what he was already being fed and i was advised not to change it ( he is not a GAL dog ) but i have noticed no-one else seems to feed their dogs on this so beginning to have my doubts about it. Although protein level seems about right at 19%.

Really tempted to try Arden Grange as you all seem to recomend it. Can i get it in my local pet store ( who normally order in for me) or will i have to get it direct from supplier. Also an idea of cost would be great? Not that it matters if it's the best thing for him. Gail

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Jim Millar 07821-547194 - for Arden Grange.

You can't get it in the shops and Jim's the person to call.

Gail · Big Cheese

Thanks for that siouxsie. Def going to try it so will give him a call tomorrow.

FAJ · Enlightened One

We've just ordered some AG for our two. Jim was very helpful and arranging delivery was really easy. I predict very happy greys when they taste their luscious new lamb and rice food.

Teresa · Enlightened One

does anyone know if Arden Grange is available down here in the south of england? i hear you all praising it but i've never seen it down here so have had no opportunity to try it on our kids.

would your Jim have a southern contact?? and, how much is it?

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Tree

have a look on the website Arden Grange should be able to order it from there - I'm sure they are based in Sussex????

Anyanka · Master

I've been feeding mine on a combo of NatureDiet (Bonnie was on that when we got her from the RSPCA; it's very good stuff) and any old supermarket dry food.

Just had a look at some of the ingredients on Arden Grange site - thanks! - that sounds like very very good food. I like the fact that it has Chondroitin and Glucosamine; I take those myself for arthritis (which has actually gone). We're a bit poor right now, but spending a bit extra on food now may well save us vets bills later...

Next question: is there a particularly recommended variety for greys?

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Mine love

Salmon and Rice

Teresa · Enlightened One

Siouxsie, thanks for the link.

It's pricey stuff, isn't it !! I know the theory about nothing being good enough for our hounds but I really don't think I can afford their prices. Specially as dave and daisy are both ok at the moment on the food they are presently eating. Of course, if they suffer dietary problems, I'll re-consider.

And, you're right, they are based down here in Brighton - only about 20 or so miles away - small world eh??

Dave · Enlightened One

We're on the Salmon and Rice, the dogs were great on the Lamb and Rice but our Ruby still had baldy thighs, Jim suggested switching to the Salmon and lo and behold, hairy thighs!

On the cost, as we're getting it from Jim we get it a bit cheaper than the prices on the website, another top tip is buy in bulk, I've lost count but me, Esther and Densie have over 20 dogs between us so we buy a pallet of food at a time (30 bags) and get another good discount (so it pays to have friends with lots of dogs!)...

FAJ · Enlightened One

Tree - we swithered about the price too but our two are refusing to eat their usual food so we've no choice but to change! We've just ordered 4 bags but Jim did us a good deal on it too.

Mind you, I like the sound of hairy thighs on salmon/rice. Pearly is as baldy as ever so it would be a huge testamount to AG's goodness if it can get some hair on those coots!

FAJ · Enlightened One

Dave wrote:

it pays to have friends with lots of dogs!...

Or....... we could just get loads more dogs ourselves!

Gail · Big Cheese

I have just checked out the feeding guidelines on the arden grange site. For a 35kg dog it recommends 382gms per day...That is much less than i feed Neo now as the food he is on recommends 500gms for the same weight of dog.

Do you all find that the dogs need less on arden grange? Think Neo might be a bit miffed if i start starving him!!

Teresa · Enlightened One

Fiona, it's interesting to know that the Arden Grange managed to put hair on them thighs - i might well bear that in mind as dave has baldy bits - tho i've sort of grown to like the skinny bits !!

if the kids seriously go off their current food, i will try the AG but they seem ok at the mo.

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Gail wrote:

I have just checked out the feeding guidelines on the arden grange site. For a 35kg dog it recommends 382gms per day...That is much less than i feed Neo now as the food he is on recommends 500gms for the same weight of dog.

Hi Gail,

As a rule GAL would say 500g was too much to give.

Personally I do feed under the guidelines mentioned with AG to compensate for extras they receive (treats/sardines etc)

FAJ · Enlightened One

Gail - think of it as plain chocolate cake versus luxurious, rich chocolate gateau. You don't need as much of the latter to get the same effect!

Gail · Big Cheese

And wouldn't we all just prefer the rich luxurious one.....and that includes the dogs!

Will certainly cut down the amounts when i start the arden grange. thanks.