Which protein content should I be looking at? - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**eiksaa** · 02-10-2013, 01:55 PM

I tried to search in old threads, sorry if I missed it. I remember 22-28% is good but which one of these should I be looking at?

Which protein content should I be looking at?-imageuploadedbypg-free1360522478.310445.jpg

Dry matter or calorie weighted?

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**shellbeme** · 02-10-2013, 02:11 PM

Some are going to disagree with me, but I'm going to put this out there anyway.

Are you looking at a wet food? There are a couple of things that make protein hard to digest:

1. The source. Is it chicken feet? Feathers? Or is it real meat?
2. Water content. You can get away with a much higher dry matter protein from wet foods that are sourced from quality ingredients then you can kibble.

Dogs need water to process protein. Problems start when you either don't have enough moisture for processing or if your source of protein is low quality.

I believe that with kibble you want to stick under 30% because dogs don't drink enough water-but that's my personal belief and I am not a nutritionist or a vet I just like to read a lot on nutrition and dog food.

**eiksaa** · 02-10-2013, 02:27 PM

So if it's kibble, which value from that table should I look at?

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**Sylie** · 02-10-2013, 02:57 PM

I really am not sure. But the fat content in that food seems really high. I'll look at my food label for a better idea.

**Sylie** · 02-10-2013, 03:31 PM

Trying to answer your question I started looking for the contents of my brand. I found an interesting web-site...and was happy to see that Solid Gold Just a Wee Bit is in the top ten.

Just a good site when researching food.

10 Best Dog Food Brands - Compare the Best Dog Food for your Fur Baby!

**eiksaa** · 02-10-2013, 03:38 PM

Thanks, Sylvia. That's a great resource.

The picture I posted is just a screenshot of some random food brand, I don't even remember which one. It isn't something I am considering for Gustave but this is how Dog food advisor breaks it down in all their reviews and I have no idea how to read it!

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**Bailey&Me** · 02-10-2013, 03:57 PM

If I am understanding your question correctly, I'm pretty sure the top number is what you need to look at - the guaranteed analysis. That's what is printed on the bag of food.

For example, here is the link to Dog Food Advisor's analysis of Fromm's Surf and Turf food. Note the guaranteed analysis lists a protein % of 30%:

Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Grain-Free Dog Food | Review and Rating

Here is the link to the Surf and Turf food on Fromm's website. Note the protein is 30%:

Grain-Free Surf & Turf dog food - Fromm Family Foods

When we say you should look for foods of a certain protein %, the guaranteed analysis % is what we are referring to (Talking about kibble only)

Someone please correct me if I messed that up!

**pammy4501** · 02-10-2013, 04:06 PM

This might help. Basically, you have to subtract the % of moisture from the % of protein to get the dry matter. Multiply it by 100 and you get the actual protein.
P.S. I learned this from Marj (Lady'sMom).

Dry Matter Basis - A Better Way to Compare Dog Foods

**eiksaa** · 02-10-2013, 04:08 PM

That makes sense, thanks!

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**eiksaa** · 02-10-2013, 11:25 PM

I have another follow up question. Pam, that article was very helpful, thanks! So, if the dry matter basis protein content of a food is 50%, for instance, this, it's too high for malts?

Is it as simple as just looking at dry matter basis protein content of any food on dog advisor and making sure it doesn't exceed 30%?

02-10-2013, 01:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
eiksaa Maltese Guru Name: Aastha Dog's Name: Gustave Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2,264	Which protein content should I be looking at? I tried to search in old threads, sorry if I missed it. I remember 22-28% is good but which one of these should I be looking at? Dry matter or calorie weighted? Sent from Petguide.com Free App __________________

02-10-2013, 02:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
shellbeme Maltese Guru Name: Shelly Dog's Name: Rocky Muffin and Prince Tucker Bean Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,472	Some are going to disagree with me, but I'm going to put this out there anyway. Are you looking at a wet food? There are a couple of things that make protein hard to digest: 1. The source. Is it chicken feet? Feathers? Or is it real meat? 2. Water content. You can get away with a much higher dry matter protein from wet foods that are sourced from quality ingredients then you can kibble. Dogs need water to process protein. Problems start when you either don't have enough moisture for processing or if your source of protein is low quality. I believe that with kibble you want to stick under 30% because dogs don't drink enough water-but that's my personal belief and I am not a nutritionist or a vet I just like to read a lot on nutrition and dog food. __________________ http://fluffsnstuff.blogspot.com/

02-10-2013, 02:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
eiksaa Maltese Guru Name: Aastha Dog's Name: Gustave Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2,264	Which protein content should I be looking at? So if it's kibble, which value from that table should I look at? Sent from Petguide.com Free App __________________

02-10-2013, 02:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sylie Maltese Guru Name: Sylvia Dog's Name: MiMi, Ray and RuRu Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Healdsburg, CA Posts: 6,369	I really am not sure. But the fat content in that food seems really high. I'll look at my food label for a better idea. __________________ MiMi & Sylvie

02-10-2013, 03:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sylie Maltese Guru Name: Sylvia Dog's Name: MiMi, Ray and RuRu Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Healdsburg, CA Posts: 6,369	Trying to answer your question I started looking for the contents of my brand. I found an interesting web-site...and was happy to see that Solid Gold Just a Wee Bit is in the top ten. Just a good site when researching food. 10 Best Dog Food Brands - Compare the Best Dog Food for your Fur Baby! __________________ MiMi & Sylvie

02-10-2013, 03:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
eiksaa Maltese Guru Name: Aastha Dog's Name: Gustave Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2,264	Which protein content should I be looking at? Thanks, Sylvia. That's a great resource. The picture I posted is just a screenshot of some random food brand, I don't even remember which one. It isn't something I am considering for Gustave but this is how Dog food advisor breaks it down in all their reviews and I have no idea how to read it! Sent from Petguide.com Free App __________________

02-10-2013, 03:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bailey&Me Maltese Guru Name: Nida Dog's Name: Emma Charlotte (CloudClan Maltese) and Bailey (Honorary Maltese) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NC/VA Posts: 2,929	If I am understanding your question correctly, I'm pretty sure the top number is what you need to look at - the guaranteed analysis. That's what is printed on the bag of food. For example, here is the link to Dog Food Advisor's analysis of Fromm's Surf and Turf food. Note the guaranteed analysis lists a protein % of 30%: Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Grain-Free Dog Food \| Review and Rating Here is the link to the Surf and Turf food on Fromm's website. Note the protein is 30%: Grain-Free Surf & Turf dog food - Fromm Family Foods When we say you should look for foods of a certain protein %, the guaranteed analysis % is what we are referring to (Talking about kibble only) Someone please correct me if I messed that up! __________________

02-10-2013, 04:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
pammy4501 Maltese Guru Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Moorpark, Ca. Posts: 3,310	This might help. Basically, you have to subtract the % of moisture from the % of protein to get the dry matter. Multiply it by 100 and you get the actual protein. P.S. I learned this from Marj (Lady'sMom). Dry Matter Basis - A Better Way to Compare Dog Foods __________________ Lola, Frankie & Truffles Mom Please donate to GME reseach. Lola's GME Research Fund http://maf.convio.net/goto/lolagme.fund

02-10-2013, 04:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
eiksaa Maltese Guru Name: Aastha Dog's Name: Gustave Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2,264	Which protein content should I be looking at? That makes sense, thanks! Sent from Petguide.com Free App __________________

02-10-2013, 11:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
eiksaa Maltese Guru Name: Aastha Dog's Name: Gustave Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2,264	I have another follow up question. Pam, that article was very helpful, thanks! So, if the dry matter basis protein content of a food is 50%, for instance, this, it's too high for malts? Is it as simple as just looking at dry matter basis protein content of any food on dog advisor and making sure it doesn't exceed 30%? __________________

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