Here we go…
As you may or may not know, I don’t eat meat for ethical, environmental, and health reasons. Whether you agree/disagree with my personal choice, please don’t slight this question because of that. I am personally healthier than I’ve ever been, I haven’t been sick at all in the past two years since I went vegan and for the first time in my life I FEEL healthy, so veganism works for me. This isn’t the place for arguing about human diets, so let me go on.
I have two young, large breed dogs, and as their care provider I look out for their best interests. After doing a lot of research on dog foods I had settled on a kibble I’m happy with until I could securely start them on a raw diet. I feel at home researching vitamins, supplements, natural sources of protein, digestive properties, because I took the same care when I made the personal switch, and do the same for my dogs. And yes, I realize the requirements for me are not the same for them.
I wanted to start my dogs on a raw diet because of all the positive testimonials I had heard. Buying marrow bones for them to snack on and hot dog treats for training is one thing, but when I went into the deli to actually get prices on meats, I’ll be honest, it was a lot for me to take in when I saw the meat locker open. Hanging pigs and racks of cow, things that I don’t agree with or can even stomach anymore, and here I was getting prices on these dead animals in bulk to feed to my dogs. I felt hypocritical, and while that may be something I need to address with myself, it made me want to at least ponder other options.
I had seen Natural Balance Vegetarian formula in Petco, and was intrigued by the idea and knew a lot of people who recommended this brand. And it met AAFCO standards, if anything it is something I could try. So I started looking online, and there are a lot of vegetarian options for dogs. I’ll list them so you can view them and please give your opinion or any red flags you may see. I’ve also posted factsheets on vegetarian dog diets.
FACTSHEETS/WEBSITES:
http://www.helpinganimals.com/pdfs/Dog_Health_Survey.pdf
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/dogfood1.html (also a dogfood2.html)
http://www.vegforlife.org/dogscats.htm
http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=34
COMPANIES:
http://v-dogfood.com/ AAFCO approved
http://www.vegepet.com/ Supplement to homemade kibble
http://www.naturesrecipe.com/recipe_detail.aspx?id=424 Nature’s Recipe AAFCO approved
http://www.petguard.com/dog-products/dry-food/petguard-organics-adult-dry-dog-food Free of Corn, Soy, Wheat, and Yeast fillers
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/Vegetarian.html Natural Balance AAFCO approved
And there are more on the web sites provided. If these companies can create a kibble that is healthy for dogs, it also crosses my mind that a raw vegetable diet should be okay for dogs also, along with proper supplements if needed. I would much rather feed fresh than kibble, but I’ve found very little information on that online. Your thoughts with that would be appreciated. Also, I plan on doing trial runs with both of them on either the raw veggie or veggie kibble diets, whichever I’m more comfortable with doing. And if they’re healthy to my standards and that of my vet, I will then keep it. But I won’t make them stay on it if it doesn’t agree with their bodies. And depending on how it goes, I may go on to try a raw diet, but not all dogs do excellent on that, either.
Just warranting opinions, hopefully opinions of intelligent people who can respond as such. And don’t tell me to rehome my dogs, unless you’ll personally take them and let me have them on weekends (sike), that’s not happening. But please be open-minded and considerate, as I’m seeking out my dog’s best interest, with my interests in mind.
Marketing gimmicks that are still approved by AAFCO.
Carnivores they may be, but they are not obligate carnivores. They do not need protein from meat to survive, or even to sustain. If dogs were strict carnivores, then all the purina / ol roy / pedigree food that is mostly CORN and WHEAT would have killed them by now, but we all know dogs who are basically corn-fed and have lived long, healthy lives. Not defending these corn brands, but it’s still something to consider.
And in the amount of time it took you to respond, I can tell you checked all the links out and read what I posted in detail. Thanks.
Dachs - I am aware it is just what makes me feel better, The question is geared towards whether they can sustain. Everyone brings up wolves in the wild, and while I know they are direct descendants, I don’t know of anyone who lets their dog attack a duck, possum, squirrel, etc., and let them devour it "like they would in the wild." So no one takes care of their dogs like a wolf takes care of itself, they are domesticated after all.
GSD - If you read the ingredients in a lot of the veg foods, a lot of it is fully natural and what isn’t is vitamins and mineral supplements. You could argue the same about ‘man made chemical compounds" with over 50% of approved dog foods on the market. Plant protein and Animal protein are equal when it comes to amino acids and how they break down, the only difference is with Taurine, which dogs create on their own.
Thank you Paul, and that’s a good idea Jenny about kosher meat.
Lauren. "can’t" and "shouldn’t" have different meanings, please learn them.
Thank you, GSD. Ultimately, like I said, I’ll try it out if I do feel comfortable with it, which I don’t as of yet. I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible. I’ve been vegan the entire time I’ve had these two, and I’ve always told myself they eat meat because it’s what’s best for them, but like I said.. I’m trying to ponder all options. If only one does well on the veg. diet, then that’s great, I’ll keep the other one on the diet that works for them. If they both do poor, they will be fed what is optimal for their bodies, and at least I’ll know I tried.
Tria - I don’t want a rabbit. I may go with the idea of free range and kosher if anything, but I could never afford premade raw food for my 50 and 70 lb dogs, unfortunately.
Thanks Rachel 
Genetic makeup is another thing to consider, you’re right. There’s still a lot to consider, like if they’ll even like it! I’m glad you can tell the difference between me and some lunatic trying to feed their dogs an all-apple diet.
Thank you, GSD. Ultimately, like I said, I’ll try it out if I do feel comfortable with it, which I don’t as of yet. I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible. I’ve been vegan the entire time I’ve had these two, and I’ve always told myself they eat meat because it’s what’s best for them, but like I said.. I’m trying to ponder all options. If only one does well on the veg. diet, then that’s great, I’ll keep the other one on the diet that works for them. If they both do poor, they will be fed what is optimal for their bodies, and at least I’ll know I tried.
Tria - I don’t want a rabbit. I may go with the idea of free range and kosher if anything, but I could never afford premade raw food for my 50 and 70 lb dogs, unfortunately.
Thanks Rachel Genetic makeup is another thing to consider, you’re right. There’s still a lot to consider, like if they’ll even like it! I’m glad you can tell the difference between me and some lunatic trying to feed their dogs an all-apple diet.
Thank you Mayv, it’s nice to see someone who is doing it and having great results. After 13 ‘no’ responses I didn’t think anyone on this forum would be helpful with it, thanks.
Curtis - I said I’m not rehoming my dogs under any circumstances or getting a damn rabbit. Unless YOU are going to come take them, bike ride 12 miles with them a day, make homemade treats every sunday night and stuff all their kongs for the work week, cut up packages and packages of hot dogs for training, vacuum up after Josie twice a week, put up with her anxiety and velcro tendency, Zoey’s excited peeing, her tail knocking drinks and papers off the coffee table all.the.time., take them swimming weekly, drag their limp bodies into their crates every night when they try to sleep in the bedroom (they become QUITE unconscious, imagine that), buy nic nacs for them anywhere you go because they’re YOUR girls and mean their weight in gold to you.
I love and take care of them, so thanks for NOT reading my full post
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As someone else said, dogs are not obligate carnivours and they can do well on a vegetarian diet. The main issues are amino acids (lots of misinformation about this) and calcium which would mean feeding supplements/ nullifying the whole raw food idea.
The whole issue of amino acids is A LOT more complicated than you seem to believe but I don’t really want to put half the A level biology syllabus in my answer- supplements should be fine.
Get a health check from your vet about 2-3 months in to the new diet just to make sure everything is going OK.
NB: If you’re buying kosher meat and are geniunely concerned about the welfare of the animal, check that it was stunned prior to slaughter. Not all Kosher abbatoirs do so.
I don’t agree with you on veganism (sorry, you can probably tell
) but good for you for doing what you believe to be right.
Why do people think its appropriate to feed a vegetarian diet to a CARNIVORE?
No.. dogs were meant to eat MEAT. These "vegetarian" dog diets are nothing more than marketing gimmicks.
no…..they are meat eaters!
If you choose to be a vegetarian, well that’s just fine. Dogs are carnivores, they are not vegetarians. Whether you like it or not, dogs are meat eaters. What do wolves eat in the wild? Deer, rabbit, whatever else they can bring down.
If your considering feeding your dogs vegetarian meals because how you feel about eating meat, then you are not doing something in your dogs best interest. Your doing what makes you feel better about yourself.
bah-humbug is all I’m going to say on that! I only looked at a few of those links, btw. The second link is so STUPID and IGNORANT I couldn’t make it past the second pargraph (yeah, meat may not have enough calcium, but prey animals usually contain ORGANS and BONES as well. I’ve never seen an animal walking around that was just muscle meat alone)
Dog’s are carnivores. End of discussion. Can they theoretically survive on "vegetarian" diets? I guess they could. But doesn’t that really make you wonder what kind of man made chemical compounds they have to add to keep a dog healthy? I mean, no vegetable matter contains nutrients that are meat specific. An animal anatomically designed to digest and process MEAT isn’t going to be able to digest and process those same nutritional needs from wheat and brocolli. You being a vegetarian, good for you. I personally prefer my steaks bloody and still mooing, but at least humans are anatomically omnivores, and at least we are actually able to process and digest vegetation. Dog’s, not so much… I think raw will be much healthier then whatever scientific garbage they have to throw into that.
BUT… Kudos to you for researching and feeding what you feel is best. You are putting in time and effort to form your own opinion on what will work best for your dogs. Better then most of the media-brain washed individuals on here.
There are very specfic requirements that a dog needs that it will not get from vegetarian diets. If you are willing to supplement realize that these supplements can get very expensive. Also to consider, many dogs will not eat vegetables. They may eat some like carrots and such but they will not be able to consume enough of these to fullfil their nutritional requirements. Their digestive tracts are not set up to digest large quanities of vegetables. Make sure that if you do decide to go with a kibbles brand vegetarian to make sure that it is indeed vegetarians. Many companies will spray their dog food with meat products to appeal to the dog so they’ll eat it.
I hope this helps you in what you decide to do
Dogs are biologically wolves and raw meat on the bone is their natural diet. I don’t even approve of using commercial diets, because there are too many ingredients in them that cause dogs harm, such as corn and other grains, which are primary allergens for dogs, and sugar, which is the cause of so much diabetes in our pets.
If you want to minimize your interactions with the commercial meat industry, find a kosher or halal butcher in your area. Dogs don’t need the prime cuts of meat, and are happy to eat the parts from which people prefer to abstain. The cattle are treated with respect, fed and watered, and aren’t allowed to watch the slaughtering of their herdmates.
If you worked hard to find the diet that suits your metabolism, please don’t be swayed by claims that any other diet is appropriate for your domesticated wolves.
They can’t be vegetarians. Dogs are carnivores.(Meaning they are meat-eaters, And whether you like it or not it is going to stay that way.)
dogs are carnivores, their spit has something in it to break down meat and their teeth are made for meat eating…. they are built to live off of meat
Please do not try to turn your carnivore into a vegetarian. If you want a vegetarian pet get a rabbit. If you are concerned about ethical reasons buy free range chicken, grass fed beef, or organic meats. There are commercially prepared raw foods do you do not have to huge chunks of meat, just something that resembles a hamburger patty. If that is something you are interested in I recommend Stella and Chewy’s or Primal. Sure they can probably live off of the vegetation dog food but they are not going to thrive off of it.
Dogs are carnivores by nature, but humans are supposed to be omnivores. Yet some are just herbivores and do fine.
I see where you are coming from.
The way I think of it, would you ever see a chicken, rabbit, cow out in the wild eating meat? No.
Would you ever see wolves, coyotes, lions, tigers out munching on carrots, grass and rice? No.
Study their teeth, study their nature, study their natural lifestyles and backgrounds, not just the protein and vitamins they need, before you make a decision.
See what I mean?
But, it IS your decision. Do what YOU feel is best for you and for them.
I understand it must be so gross for you to feed raw. I eat meat and would have a problem seeing/doing that..that’s why I feed kibble
And awesome job going vegan! Woo!
Sounds like your dogs are very cared for
I am a vegetarian, and had the same dilemma that you had. I have cats and dogs, and their were little fat, so I have to put them on diet (vet’s orders) but I cannot take away the protein for their diet, also I live un mexico, and is very hard to find good food for my pets, so I try to give them organic eggs ( I can find them relatively easy) and chicken, but I can’t find organic meat. If you can afford it, buy and also are places that keep the livestock in good conditions and don’t make them suffer as the industrial places. I found that for me and my dogs works a cross Between the raw diet and the commercial food, I cook brown rice, veggies and little meat (because one of them needs to gain weigh) and some commercial food, (the best I can afford) is the best solution I found. I don’t eat meat, any kind, only eggs and dairy, and if I could find veggie food I will buy it, but since I can’t find vegetarian food for them, I do what I have to do to provide them good nutrition, As I said, I try to find organic stuff, (and in mexico that is very hard) and I find other ways to compensate the pollution I might be causing for the consumption of meat.I hope this help you, also I know a dog that is very allergic to so many things and the only think that makes him feel better is the vegetarian diet, so as long as you keep your dogs under medical supervision, I don’t see a problem if you feed them vegetarian food.
I know your a vegetarian, i respect that, i just don’t think it is in the best interest for your dog for it to not eat meat either. It won’t be good for it, dogs need a balanced diet. Think of your dog
A lot of people like to claim that dogs will not be healthy or will not thrive on a vegetarian diet. I am not one of those people.
I have three small canine children (Chihuahua mix) and they have eaten homemade vegan food for about three years. We’re not vegan, not even vegetarian, but we (my boyfriend and I) hardly eat any meat, dairy, or eggs.
My oldest, a male, is just over six years old yet still runs around and jumps like a puppy, FULL of energy and in great health. The other two, females, are younger, and do extremely well, very playful like him.
And yes, I did a lot of research about what was good for them and what to avoid before I started making their food. And to think, that (my researching this) all started because of the dog food recalls over concerns of contamination in the food imported from China!
Originally, I put cooked chicken or some kind of lean meat in as a base, but I only did that for a few months. Now I cook some beans, add some brown rice, chopped vegetables (no onions), and rolled oats. I know, not raw, but that can give you an idea of the diet my babies eat.
There is no such thing as an obligate carnivore. Period. You are a carnivore or you’re not.
Your dogs don’t care if you find the site of dead animals displeasing. If you have a problem feeding your carnivores a species appropriate diet, "rehome" them and buy a Bunny Ranch or a miniature horse.
Do you want to know the truth about feeding dogs a vegan diet. Check out The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book by Michelle Rivera (Book Publishing Company, Summertown, TN 20009). It contains a balanced discussion by veterinarians. Read it and you will see that dogs are not obligate carnivores (like cats), but special attention should be paid to insure that a vegan dog gets the nutrition it needs. The book also contains vegan dog food and dog treat recipes that dogs love. http://www.bookpubco.com/products/simple-little-vegan-dog-book