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Talking out Both Sides of the Mouth

Purina Pet Food and Waggin’ Train Jerky Treats (owned by Purina Pet Foods) seem to be telling pet owners two different things. One Purina company says there is no concern with feeding dogs too much protein, the other Purina company warns against feeding too much protein to your dog. So which is it Purina?

Purina Pet Food and Waggin’ Train Jerky Treats (owned by Purina Pet Foods) seem to be telling pet owners two different things.  One Purina company says there is no concern with feeding dogs too much protein, the other Purina company warns against feeding too much protein to your dog.  So which is it Purina?

On the Purina ProPlan website (bold added): “There is more reason to be concerned about feeding healthy dogs an inadequate amount of dietary protein than feeding too much protein,” says Purina Veterinary Communications Specialist Dorothy P. Laflamme, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVN, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

“Here are myths associated with protein:  Protein causes kidney failure in older dogs. Healthy older dogs need as much as 50 percent more protein than young adult dogs, Laflamme says, and protein does not harm healthy kidneys. The additional protein is important in helping dogs’ immune systems function at full capacity. Older dogs should have enough protein to help them fight the stress of aging.

Ahh, but the Waggin’ Train jerky treats (imported from China) website seems to say something different (bold added).
“Q: How many of these treats should I feed my dog?
A: As stated on our packaging, owners should limit their dogs’ consumption of high-protein treats (such as chicken jerky) to ensure your dog is getting the other essential nutrients and minerals needed from their food.

So…one Purina company very specifically states “protein does not harm healthy kidneys”, however another Purina company tells petsumers to “Limit their dogs’ consumption of high-protein treats.”

Which is it Purina?  Please explain to us.

By the way, a Waggin Train customer service representative told me in May 2012…(paraphrasing)

Me:  I’m calling about your feeding instructions for the jerky treats.  I don’t understand.  Your statements in response to problems surrounding the treats have been they are safe if fed as directed.  This sounds like you know something about their safety – or their risk if a pet eats more than they should.  So my question is, what do you know?  Why is that statement that the treats are safe if fed as directed being brought up so much?

Waggin’ Train: Those are very good questions, and I can certainly help you with that.  The treats are safe.  Because they are 100% chicken meat, they are high in protein.  Dogs shouldn’t have too much protein, it can cause kidney damage.

Me:  So, that’s why you are saying to feed only a certain amount of the treats per day, because an excess of protein in the diet can cause kidney damage?

Waggin’ Train: Yes.

I’ve asked Purina about this discrepancy, should they respond it will be posted.

Also…recent information provided to TruthaboutPetFood.com shared that a Purina employee holds the position of “Pet Products Category Advisor” at Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts nationwide.  An email was sent to the media relations department of Sam’s Club/Walmart asking for confirmation of this interesting bit of information.

I received a phone call from the Walmart media relations department early last week (around 12/11/12), spoke with a Walmart representative, explained the information provided to me and asked again for a confirmation that a Purina employee holds the position of ‘Pet Products Category Advisor’ for Sam’s Clubs/Walmarts.  I was promised a return call confirming or denying the information.

To date, Sam’s Club/Walmart has not returned by call, has not confirmed or denied a Purina employee advises the retail giant on which pet products to sell.  Interesting isn’t it?

If – and all we have is ‘if’ since Sam’s Club/Walmart did not bother to answer my question – if a Purina employee advises Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts on which pet products to sell, it is no wonder the retail giant refuses to pull the risky treats from store shelves.

 

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
PetsumerReport.com

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4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Dr Cathy

    December 18, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    Great catch on the discrepancy! So, is Purina now talking in opposition to the research that had pet food companies invent renal diets that are low in protein? Or, if you were to ask about a kidney supportive diet, would they then reverse their story and say low protein is better? Wonder what the prescription pet food companies would say now?

    • Susan Thixton

      December 18, 2012 at 12:31 pm

      Great point Dr. Cathy! I just looked at the Purina Rx Kidney Function diet http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/Product/NFKidneyFunctionDogFood.aspx. The page states…
      “Diet Characteristics – Reduced Protein”
      They have flipped again.

      • Cindy W.

        December 18, 2012 at 12:45 pm

        For a long time, vets thought that low-protein was best for dogs with kidney failure because they couldn’t process the protein. Recently that has changed that a moderate amount of HIGH-QUALITY protein is OK as long as the body is able to process it. As the kidneys continue to fail, they can’t process the protein and so need to eat less to keep their body from going toxic. That’s a very simplistic explanation but there is much more info available on the web. I just went through this with my 16 year old dog, working with a holistic vet and doing a lot of my own research. I also own a pet supply shop that only sells all-natural foods (NOT Purina!) and while I’m not an expert, I am pretty familiar with this particular subject due to personal experience.

  2. Cindy W.

    December 18, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    The way I read it is that you don’t want to feed so many high-protein treats that the dog isn’t going to eat regular food. Regular food is balanced with all the calcium, vitamins, minerals, etc that the dog needs. The treats are not. I read it as, if you feed too many treats and not enough food, then the dog will not get all the vitamins and minerals it needs.

    Protein does not damage kidneys. Cats and dogs are designed to eat meat, not rice and corn sprayed with fat to make it taste better. Healthy, high-quality protein is the best thing you can feed your pet.

    That said, I believe Purina and Waggin’ Train are both crap, so I’d move on to a better food/treat anyway. 🙂

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