mikehurt
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Jun 2004
Location: kansas
Posts: 389 |
protien/fat vs carbs
QUOTE]Originally posted by mikehurt
Jonah
I have read dog nutrition publications and tried to put as much study into performance nutrition for dogs and relate it to coonhounds as possible. I am NOT AN EXPERT like some, but this is some of what I have learned.
It is not the protein and fat content that cause the problems for our dogs in the summer and in stressful situations. It is the carbohydrates. In dogs, carbs are for short, quick burst of energy. Not for endurance. Feeds high in carbs and low in fat, are condusive to the build up of large quantities of lactic acid in the muscles, which in turn causes fatigue. The higher the protein and fat level of a feed, the lower the carb level.
Extreme Athlete (32-25) is only about 21 or 22 % carbs. This is good. Diamond Naturals Lamb and Rice (23-14) is about 45 or 46% carbs. This is not so good for a dog that you expect performance out of.
Other things go into it, like the digestibility of the protein and fat sources, but animal proteins and fats are way more digestible than plant proteins and fats. Diamond says that the protein digestiblitiy of Extreme Athlete is in the high 80's(I called and got the results of the digestibility study but I can't remember the exact number).
Long story short. We have a dog that we have done a fair amount of winning with. He got hot in the summer, was lethargic, and had a history of skin problems. We switched from the high carb, plant base protein feeds we had been feeding( Diamond green bag, and Black Gold), to Extreme Athlete, and a feed very similar (Native Level 4). The results were unreal. He ran cooler, but more importantly RECOVERED QUICKER. We have never had any more skin problems either. We feed it year around, just a little less in the summer or if he is not getting worked. Right now he is not getting hunted much and we are giving him about 2 3/4 cups, and he is a shade too heavy. It is better to have them a shade thin than fat if you want the best performance.
Anyway, I have taken enough of your time. Hope this helps. If you think I am full of --it, I appologize. If you would like more info, don't be afraid to ask. Mike. [/QUOTE]
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M AND M KENNELS
06-05-2009 02:01 PM
