Is Your Dog Vegan?
Vegansaurus extraordinaire Laura Beck wrote an article for The Bark that may stir up some controversy amongst the dog community: feeding your dog a vegan diet. Laura’s vegan, and so is her dog, Hazel. I’ve met Hazel in person and I can attest for the fact that she’s a healthy, well-fed and taken-care-of, beautiful dog. In fact, as Laura mentions in her article, her vet “consistently remarks on her good health. Her coat is shiny, her weight is perfect, and her breath isn’t super stinky.” Recent pet food recalls, terrible animal farming practices, and poor quality of meat that often goes into pet foods are more reasons that someone may consider a vegan diet for their dog (Note: Cats cannot be vegan; they are carnivores!!!). But with all that in mind, you may still be wondering, should dogs be vegan? Is it healthy? Aren’t dogs supposed to be omnivores? To be honest, I’m wondering these questions myself, so I decided to look into it.
As Laura mentions, there are a lot of vegan dog foods on the market. If you’re thinking about switching your dog to a vegan diet, I would most definitely talk to you vet or a veterinary nutritionist to make sure that you’re going to be able to provide your dog with all the essential vitamins (especially A and B!), minerals, and amino acids that it needs to be healthy. For example, if you’re not going to be feeding your dog meat protein, the food that you provide must contain taurine, arginine, and l-carnitine, amino acids that are needed for cellular functions.
There are worries that vegetarian/vegan diets in dogs can also affect the acidity of urine, which can lead to kidney stones or bladder infections, and problems with dog musculature. Some dogs on vegan diets may seem more lethargic than usual. Of course, if your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms while you’re trying a vegan diet, take your dog to the vet immediately! It’s possible that the diet you’re providing your dog is not meeting the requirements it needs, so your vet may be able to help you pinpoint what’s missing, or will perhaps suggest that veganism is right for your dog. It’s recommended that 2-3 weeks after switching your dog’s diet to a vegan one, to bring the dog to a vet for a urinalysis. This will show the pH of your dog’s pee, along with whether any crystals are present.
The FDA’s standpoint on whether dogs (and cats) should be vegan is negatory:
Both species are in the scientific order Carnivora (“meat- eaters”), although today the domestic dog is considered more as an “omnivore” (animals that eat both animals and plants). Still, just by comparing the dentition of dogs and cats with that of humans and herbivores (plant-eaters, such as cattle and horses), it is readily apparent that their teeth are designed by nature for eating a diet largely comprised of animal tissue. Their short intestinal tracts compared to humans and especially to animals like sheep or horses also indicate that they are not designed to accommodate diets containing large amounts of plant materials. Their nutritional requirements, such as the need for relatively high amounts of protein and calcium, reflect these dietary limitations.
…Thus, while both species can eat and utilize some plant-source ingredients (dogs more than cats), they simply are not intended to eat only plants as are other animals such as cattle and sheep.
But there are many veterinarians and animal nutritionists who do not agree with the FDA. They point to evidence that vegan diets can help with some common health problems, including skin allergies and digestion issues. In fact, Dr. Richard Pitcairn, a proponent of holistic and natural pet care, think that the meat we’re feeding our pets (in pre-made pet foods) are filled with toxins and chemicals that may actually be causing the diseases and ailments that are common in domesticated friends.
In the end, it’s your choice whether to feed your dog a vegan diet, but as with any decision that directly affects the health of your animal, please check with a professional before any drastic changes are made to make sure you’re making the safest and healthiest decision for your dog.
One Response to “Is Your Dog Vegan?”
Leave a Reply
[...] For more on feeding your dog a vegetarian or vegan diet check out Sarah’s post on the topic. [...]