This site has a lot of info about a great many things (for instance enzymes and why you need to supplement with them) and I really enjoyed reading it!

http://www.pet-grub.com/preface.pets

wow!

bett, you are the Empress of Understatement. I love your posts!

bett, you are the Empress of Understatement

:floor very true!

Love that website Zencat, it's like an open book with loads of info! Thanks for posting it :).

Thanks for posting this awesome source of info... as always it does raise more questions...

My biggest, and perhaps you have an answer:

It states that a pet has all of its enzymes at birth. But, I know that enzymes are just proteins that are made from the DNA by the amino acids you have consumed in your diet. As a bio major we learned that your body makes all of the structural proteins for the cell based on the DNA coding. This coding also provides the blueprint that enzymes are made off of. Thus, a cell produces the enzymes it needs based on the function it needs to perform.

We have all learned that DNA controls cell activities. It does this by coding the production of all structural proteins and chemical messenger proteins (enzymes).

I'd have to say that a pet can produce enzymes during its lifespan and won't be "running" out provided the diet is balanced. However, the harder your pet has to work to get the enzymes and build them the less energy it has to work on other issues...

Sorry to get off on a tangent... it has to be the analytical side of me! :rolleyes:

That's interesting Heather, thanks for the bio lesson :). (Am I missing your question?)

We may all be born with healthy, active enzymes, but as we get older our 'natural' enzymes deplete and/or weaken, that's why a lot of adults in either form need digestive enzyme supplements.

I've read it takes more than the natural enzymes dogs has in their bodies to digest hard processed kibble. Is this why we see so many digestive system problems? Whereas dogs who eat raw to semi-raw (homemade diet) meats have no problems digesting it because the meat still holds its own digestive enzymes.

This makes me wonder what happened during the DNA process to cause Pancreatic Hypoplasia (lack off, or no Pancreatic enzymes)?

Thanks Black-

You did address my question and I agree with you completely. A dog will need more or less depending on diet and as they age the don't always work as efficiently and the production of them can become harder as the cellular machinery weakens.

This is why dogs get winter nose. The enzyme that aids pigmentation does not work as efficienty as it ages during the wintertime because the weather is cold. This explains why a dog has lighter pigmentation during the winter and will frequently darken during the summer because the enzyme functions better in warmer temps.

I just had an issue with the fact that they have X number and once they are gone, they are gone.... I can definitely see the benefit of supplementing with them to aid the dog performing its natural function.

The site also stated that an enzyme could be used to perform a different function if dietary enzymes were provided. This also caught me off guard because an enzyme only catalyzes a single specific reacion. It cannot perform another function....

One last question....

The site suggested feeding your dog as much raw as they want because they will decrease amounts eventually. Is this a normal view? Tyson seems like he would eat as long as there was food available.... Now, Jake might not eat until he burst!

Thanks for putting up with me! Can you tell I have been home sick for two days and am putting in tons of time on here reading?

Humm, now you've got me thinking :).

Good analogy on the winter noses. So then is it possible to supplement yellow and some chocolate Labs (other breeds as well) with the necessary enzyme to prevent winter noses?....I have to think about this myself now :D.

I know for myself as I get older, I get more heartburn and digestive problems when I eat spicy and greasy foods (try to stay away from them, but can't always do that). I have inherited GERD, which produces too much stomach acid which inturn breaks down digestive enzymes. I also take a digestive enzyme supplement before supper. Now I wonder if processed kibble causes this in some sensitive dogs?

The site suggested feeding your dog as much raw as they want because they will decrease amounts eventually

Raw meat, or raw veggies, etc., also? There might be some truth to this,... when your tummy is satisfied, you stop eating, right?....maybe that's the same with dogs? But since Labs are born eaters, I'd be afraid to try it,... but then again, since the are also carnivores, maybe once they're full they'll naturally stop eating over their limit?

Good questions Heather, something to think about while falling asleep.

Sure hope you feel better very soon! And BTW, we'll always "put up with you" :D.

I stand in awe... of both of you... and your grasp of biology.

I failed biology in school. My teacher had really squeaky shoes that distracted me utterly. It's a shame because in my later years I've developed quite an interest in science and health but I'm lacking the foundation of formal education.

It may be because it's too early in the morning but I don't really understand what I just read. I'll come back and read it later. After coffee!