The vegetarian dog food diet is a grey area. Most owners wouldn’t ever consider this type of food for their dogs; however, there are a minority of owners that will . There are some advantages and disadvantages to this diet, which I will go through in a non-bias manner.
It is understandable why many people are turning to a vegetarian diet and caring for their animals this holistic way. Society has lost all hope in commercial brands due to the amount of dreaded dog food recalls.
Dogs do need to eat meat, they are natural carnivores. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that a vegetarian dog food is bad. With proper care and management a dog can be fed wholesome and balanced vegetarian foods – this is no easy task!
I believe, wholesome homemade vegetarian dog food can be more nutritious than feeding a dog cheap supermarket dog food that costs $2. The Departments of Agriculture are deeming dog foods fit to sell in supermarkets that are in actual fact inedible.
It’s a fact, and it’s sad that diseased animals, carcasses, tumors, head, feet, even our dead dogs and cats and much more are in many cheap supermarket dog foods.
We should be suspicious of cheap dog food, especially vegetarian and vegan brands.
Is vegetarian dog food advisable?
Carnivores consider vegetarian dog food as an accompaniment to their dogs raw or home-cooked dinner – it’s easier for mum!
It is possible for vegetarian and vegan dogs to live as long as meat-eating dogs. This is only the case if their nutritional needs are met and the food balance is accurate.
This is incredibly difficult to achieve, it’s a lot harder to prepare than non vegetarian dog food.
Protein is the most important factor in a dog’s diet. Protein creates building blocks for cell regeneration, healthy maintenance, repairing the body and to generate energy.
If you’re determined to feed vegan or vegetarian dog food ensure your dog has plenty of protein.
There are certain amino acids in meat such as taurine that dogs need. Taurine can be converted from cysteine and methionine, but its conversion is insufficient. This supplement must be given as an extra to dogs on a vegetarian diet.
Particular breeds of dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands and Cocker Spaniels are more liable to ill health. These dogs are more susceptible to cardiomyopathy when their body is low in taurine. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart. As we can see a vegetarian diet can be biologically inappropriate for some breeds of dogs.
Vegan and vegetarian dog owners naturally consider brown whole rice, lentils and vegetables. To know which vegetables and fruit or other foods to give your dog, browse through ‘Real dinners – Best food for dogs?’ or view the table below.
Some commercial vegetarian dog foods are quite expensive, especially if the ingredients are just corn, maize, soy protein, wheat, textured vegetable protein or even textured soya protein. These foods offer no nutritional value, I wouldn’t recommend you buy brands with these ingredients included.
Most people believe soy is beneficial to humans and so owners readily give it to their pets. Soy is a poison, and creates hormonal imbalances. Humans or animals should never consume soy; in fact, it should come with a health warning.
Corn (maize is corn) is predominantly genetically modified unless otherwise stated.
Quality vegetarian dog food
This is probably the only vegetarian dog food brand that I could recommend.
- Contains (1) 28 pound bag of dry dog...
- A true vegan formula - a complete and...
- Premium energy sources, including brown...
- Natural health support from green peas
- Supports healthy skin and a shiny coat
Natural Balance Pet Foods – it contains: Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Peas, Potato Protein. Canola Oil, Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Vegetable Flavoring, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseed. Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Spinach, Parsley Flakes. Cranberries, L-Lysine, L-Carnitine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Kelp, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate. Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate. Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate. Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D-2 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Without a doubt, this brand has to be one of the best on the market. As far vegetarian goes, this brand is a winner. It contains no artificial flavors or colors, no animal meat or dairy products.
What if you don’t want to buy dry kibble?
When you’re buying foods for a vegetarian dog, the list below would be what you’d want to buy. I advise you to make your own combination since there are a limited amount of quality vegetarian kibble and it could be cheaper.
| Carbohydrates | Organic Cold Pressed Oils | Other Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Brown Rice | Flax Oil | Fruits |
| Barley | Hempseed oil | Vegetables |
| Millet | Fish Oil | Sprouted Grains |
| All Oats | Cod Liver Oil | Sprouted Seeds |
| Lentils | Safflower oil | Bio yogurt |
| A little buckwheat | A little Olive Oil | Quality seaweed |
| Cooked Quinoa | Oily Fish | Clabbered milk or buttermilk |
| A little cous cous | A little avocado oil | A little egg |
| A little wheat germ |
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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