I frequent a holistic pet store where the owner really does her homework.
I was having the 'Origen' talk with her when she pointed out some things to think about.
What I didn't like was when Origen first came out, it had on the label "all meat veterinary inspected". (In my opinion, I can't see a vet going to school for upteen years and then standing on an assembly line looking at cows)
Don't know if that's on there still, but it made me suspicious.
She also said that it's not the high protein that's a problem, but the water content of the ingredients.
Raw diets incorporate the fresh meat.
If you take a cup of beef for example, and take out all the water content you would have way less than a cup left.
When foods are high in protein, that isn't the problem for most pets. The problem is there isn't enough water going thru their systems to keep the kidneys hydrated so that they can do their job properly and that is why they end up over stressing. If you have an animal that doesn't drink a lot of water in the first place, then the high protein in the food is a recipe for disaster.
This lady is hearing about more and more kidney problems in pets being fed a high protein 'dry' diet.
I am feeding my dogs a quality diet, but just found out that Luke is experiencing some kidney problems. It's making me sick thinking I may have done this to him, even though his food is only 26% protein and 16% fat. Being a mastiff, he drinks a LOT of water a day, so that isn't the issue. I am now in research mode.
