Shar Pei Diet
December 31, 2008 by Dwight
Filed under Shar Pei Health
Food allergies are a common cause for skin and stomach diseases in Shar-Pei. A well-balanced, low-protein, preservative free diet is the key when maintaining the weight of your Shar-Pei and keeping them healthy.
Store bought treats such as bones, artificially flavored cookies, and rawhides are not recommended for Shar-Pei. Think fresh! When steaming vegetables for yourself, be sure to make a few extra for your beloved companion. Try to avoid vegetables from the cabbage or onion families. Fruits are another healthy alternative to store bought treats. Try rewarding your pooch with bananas, apricots, or apples. They are sure to love these sweet treats without all those chemicals and preservatives!
When it comes to table scraps, it’s hard for most of us to turn down the sad, drooping puppy eyes. However, as humans, we tend to dress up our dishes with butter, salt, sugar, and gravy. These products are not healthy for your Shar-Pei. Anything that includes soya or beef, preservatives, or dyes should be avoided. Look for fresh foods and foods that are preserved with vitamins A, C, or E. As in humans, a chemical-free, preservative-free diet is enough to make a huge difference in the health of any dog.
Lisa Ladner on Tue, 10th Mar 2009 9:31 pm
I completely disagree with the “low protein” diet. Unless a dog is in kidney failure, a low protein diet is not recommended. Furthermore, it is the QUALITY of the protein that is of importance. A high quality protein such as chicken breast is easier on the kidneys to digest that a low quality, low protein substance that are in so many of the crappy dog foods out there. I feed a grain-free diet and my Pei are thriving!
admin on Wed, 11th Mar 2009 8:13 am
Thanks Lisa – I can see your point as well. However most “new” Shar Pei owners are bombarded with all the mass-produced pet food out there at the local pet supply store. In my experience I have found that with the bloodlines that I have owned maintaining a lower protein diet full of natural foods helps the Shar Pei maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is also supported with research from Dr. Vidt who states that Shar-Pei with FSF have increased levels of the cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 is involved with the fever response and and is an integral part of triggering the production of Acute Phase Reactant Proteins by the liver.
If your Pei is experiencing the Sharpei fever syndrome then most vets who understand the Pei will recommend a lower protein diet. You can read more about it at http://www.drjwv.com/article.php?view=0004.php