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Originally Posted by flipon1  They all are on diets for kidney problems. The vet said they could only handle 15% protein @ this time. How in the world can I tell if they are getting too much? |
With a kitchen scale and faithful use of the USDA Nutrient Database (
http://www.nal.usda.gov/ - they are offline until 6pm tonight, but don't let that stop you after that!
), it takes very little time or effort to know the composition of the fresh foods you are feeding your dog. I created a simple Xcel spreadsheet for my Luna (PLE) and I knew exactly what she was getting in protein, fat, carbohydrate and the complete nutrient composition - which I compared with the National Research Council's tables on nutrient requirements for dogs to ensure her diet was as balanced as possible.
Another great resource for home-prepared cooked meals, including diets for dogs with medical conditions affected by diet such as kidney disease, is "Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets, The Healthful Alternative" by Dr. Donald Strombeck, DVM PhD. There's a great education to be had inside that book along with recipes for appropriate diets. The great thing about this book is that if you take the time to
READ and comprehend it, you understand WHY to feed this and not that, etc.