No, the vet is at least partially correct.

Cats are obligate (true) carnivores, meaning their systems are designed to derive their entire nutrition from the consumption of other animals, and they need more protein and meat in their diets than dogs do. They lack the physiology to digest and convert vegetable and grain matter. For example, they cannot manufacture nutrients like taurine or Vitamin A, so they need to get it from meat.

Dogs are carnivores and scavengers. They have a limited ability to digest plant matter and convert or manufacture some nutrients. Their protein requirements are LESS than that of cats.

Humans (not dogs) are omnivores.

http://www.holisticat.com/rawdiet.html
http://www.healthy-paws.ca/feeding.htm
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/KnowledgeBase/knowledgebasedetail.aspx?articleid=4
http://www.answers.com/topic/carnivore

That being said, I do not know exactly how much protein is required in the diet to be optimum for a dog. As for your dog's health, if you are concerned, have a full blood panel run to check his organ function. If something is amiss, this would catch it.

John, I do not feed EVO but I do know that those AAFCO statement that apply to EVO also apply to Purina Dog Chow. Just because it says it allows your dog to exist doesn't mean it's really the best thing. I am sure EVO is a great food and I'm not saying it's not, but personally, a "statement from the company" is meaningless. So, to add to your post, EVO is a complete diet not because the "company says so" but because the food contains meat and animal protein sources as well as fruits and vegetables.

I would also want to make sure your dog food has a source of Omega 3 fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.

Well, actually coyotes do eat veggies and fruit instead of lambs. I have caught coyotes in my feild eating the apples off the apple tress (that have fallen on the ground) and doing this RIGHT beside the sheep and lambs. SO.....they don't just crave meat.

Before everyone starts beating the vet (not that I trust all vets either), it's true that too much protein can be harmful for a dog with kidney disease and does put a strain on the kidneys of dogs with that ailment, since some protein gets eliminated in the urine (and the kidneys are directly responsible for the elimination).

The concern for me would be the amount of "digestible" protein found in kibbles. My previous GSD died of kidney disease, and the vet had me put her on a very low protein kibble (that he sold) (before I knew to feed raw). She hated it and stopped eating. Common sense told me she would live longer if she ate (duh) so I started giving her Chicken Soup for Dog Lovers Senior formula which had the lowest protein content. My beautiful Sierra lived another 2 full and fun and happy years after being diagnosed with kidney failure (and a high BUN count).

Had I known of the extreme benefits of RAW diets, I would have given her that, and let her body determine how to utilize the protein, since raw is the natural state of food for dogs.

For John's peace of mind, maybe he could get a blood test done specifically for the BUN count on his dog's kidneys.

Yes, it's harder to digest for dogs with kidney problems. While I wouldn't feed EVO forever and ever, it does not say that you're supposed to just use it as a fill-in for raw. I think it's clear that this vet is not up-to-date on nutrition, so let's also assume that he's speaking of a high-protein food that is processed in the typical way (high heat, extrusion-extreme processing). What he's saying may be true; this much protein could be harmful if the dog's system *is not able to utilize/process it* which is common when food has undergone that much high-heat processing and extrusion. A blood test, as suggested, would rule this issue out and muzzle the vet.

Assuming the dog has the digestive enzymes necessary to break down the protein, and the protein is in a form that can be utilized by the dog (ie, not in the form of cheap grains...), I think most would agree that it's not "too much protein." We all know that it's not necessarily the amount, but the source. Those cheapy foods in the pet stores can boast lots of protein, but it's not even comparable to the same amount found in raw.

If the dog is fine, leave it alone. I have heard that some dogs don't do well on Evo long-term, though. I, personally, would switch ANY kibble occasionally so as not to build up protein intolerances or deficiencies. Deficiencies don't happen overnight; they occur over long periods of time, so switching every few bags or so seems like a good idea for the dog w/out "issues." I've also heard that as far as the "raw" kibbles go, many dogs have an easier time on Timberwolf Organics Wild and Natural Dry for both long-term use and transition than Evo. I have used both for short durations, and I do prefer the Timberwolf, although I have to say that's only b/c my APBT has a weak stomach, and by the time she's used to the Evo, I'm back to raw, or back in town.

I think it's too bad that b/c dogs are scavengers to a degree, and can SURVIVE on grain-laden foods, that we're actually *taught* to feed them as if they're cows. Scavenging is for the sake of surviving, not thriving.