So can dogs be vegetarian?
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Yes. However, it depends.
Wait. Are you sure? Dogs are carnivores, right?
Dogs do belong to the order “Carnivora.” In the animal kingdom, Carnivora is an order of eutherian mammals that are mostly carnivorous and have teeth for eating flesh.
It is often misunderstood whether the modern domesticated dog is only carnivorous or can be omnivorous. The modern dog leans more toward being omnivorous. This is because dogs have been eating processed dog food in the form of kibble for decades now. In other words, dogs can live a complete, happy, and healthy life on a plant-base diet.
According to PetMD.com, dogs can be extremely healthy on a diet without animal protein. Over hundreds of years, our companions have been evolving with us as omnivores.
What Are The Health Concerns?
The primary concern is whether a dog’s digestive system is able convert certain amino acids (the building blocks of protein) into the proteins they need.
For example, humans can produce almost all of our nutrition from a plant base diet, except for vitamin B12 and iron (which we usually obtain from consuming red meat). Therefore, most vegans will need a supplement because we cannot produce the nutrients or derive it from the food that we eat.
So can dogs produce all the proteins they need? The answer is yes. In other words, this means their systems can create the proteins they need from plants while completely avoiding animal protein.
A key biological feature of dogs is a shorter digestive tract. This generally means that a particular animal’s bias is toward animal protein consumption to attain their protein requirements. In comparison to humans, our digestive tracts are much longer.
Please note that while dogs can lead happy, healthy lives without animal protein, the same does not apply to cats. Cats are what experts refer to as “obligate carnivores.” This means that biologically, eating meet is a requirement, not an option. Cats cannot obtain the nutrients they need from plant protein alone. Therefore, it is typically not safe to feed your cat a diet that does not contain animal protein.
Can Dogs Be Vegetarian?
Animals In Pet Food
Now that we have answered the question of Can Dogs Be Vegetarian, let’s find out if they should.
As information has been more accessible thru the internet, people who want to know all the details where our food comes from. We want to know how the meat industry raises animals for meat and other products. We want to know what their animals are fed, how they treat them, and the types of living conditions.
The concern for quality and sourcing for animal food is recently growing.
Most dog food is made with left over animal protein that is not suitable for human consumption. Dry or wet dog food is mixture animals that were either diseased or unfit for people to eat.
Process for Making Animal Food
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, approximately 50% of an animal’s body is designated as “safe” for human consumption. The rest of the animal is considered animal by-product.
Animal By-Products:
- Bones
- Hide/skin
- Brain
- Feces
- Hooves
- Innards
These by-products are not suitable to even make hotdogs and are sent to a rendering plant.
A rendering plant grinds up whatever is sent there including stuff from slaughterhouses, chicken farms, animals from shelters, zoo animals, road kill and expired meat from grocery stores. You can read more about this “rendering” process here.
What Should I Feed My Dog?
So, knowing that dogs can not only survive, but thrive on an entirely plant-based diet, it makes sense to consider if it’s right for your dog. The packaging on dog food may reflect fresh chicken and beef, however, we now know that is not the case.
It is possible to shift your dog to a completely vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.
How do I make sure my pet gets 100% of the nutrition they need to be strong and healthy for a long time?
Your dog depends on you to ensure their proper nutrition. So regardless of whether you are vegan, it is your responsibility to determine what meal plan is appropriate for your dog. They will need a healthy and balanced diet.
Whether you plan to go a homemade option or purchase vegan dog food at the store, your first step should be consulting your veterinarian on successfully transitioning your dog to a plant-bas diet.
While dogs can ultimately thrive on plants like you and me, their nutrition needs, like protein and micronutrients are different than ours, so you’ll want to consult your vet on exactly the right ratios and amount of food for your dog.
Homemade Options
If you’ve spoken with your veterinarian and research the concerns that apply to you, your dog may prefer homemade options. So if you are planning to make homemade vegan dog food, you should focus the bulk of your recipe on organic (if possible), high-quality proteins and grains.
Dog-friendly plant protein examples:
- legumes (beans and lentils)
- sweet potatoes
- long-grain rice
Remember to transition your dog slowly by introducing the new diet gradually.
For a recipe template, try this formula from PETA and adjust depending on your dog’s weight.
Please note that some foods that humans enjoy are poisonous to dogs.
Toxic to Dogs:
- alcohol
- avocado
- chocolate
- caffeine
- citrus
- coconut
- grapes/raisins
- nuts
- onions
- garlic
- chives
- xylitol
- yeast
The side effects of these foods can range from an upset stomach and diarrhea to death. So please be extremely careful to avoid feeding any of the foods on this list to your dog.
Thriving Vegan Dogs
With so many options for complete vegan dog food, it’s easy to provide your companion with a 100% healthy diet. Whether your best friend prefers wet food or dry food, there are many options out there. Brands like V-Dog, Halo, and Natural Balance are to name a few.
In addition, there have been numerous testimonials sharing amazing results with improvements in sensitive skin, sensitive stomach, gas problems, etc.
So can dogs be vegetarian? Yes. However, the decision should be based on the health of your dog and what they need. For example, some dogs have a more sensitive digestive system and owners have found that a hypoallergenic and/or plant base diet works. Some people perform more optimally on a plant base diet, others do not. The same is true for dogs. Therefore it is important to consider the specific factors and needs individually.
Important: Always remember to discuss any dietary changes with your vet. The key is to slowly transition your dog off traditional food to avoid any digestive irritation.
A Vegan Diet May Not Be Right For Your Dog
While a plant base diet can sound attractive, it may not be right for all dogs.
Can Puppies Be Vegan?
