should I put my dog on a vegetarian or vegan diet?

Answer 1

NO
it is NOT NATURAL for a dog to be on a vegetarian diet
they will not get the nutrients that they need and their digestive tract is not designed for that

Answer 2

You can. There are some very well planned vegetarian diets for dogs. They can and do thrive on such diets but it involves entirely to much effort on the part of the dog's owner. If you are willing to spend as much time planning your dog's meals as your own (keeping in mind that you still can't feed them what you eat) then go ahead. You can even find vegetarian dog food. It doesn't matter where the nutrients come from (plant or animal) so long as the dog gets an adequate supply.

If you do, switch diets slowly and watch for adverse reactions. You'll also want to talk to your vet about it so they can do the same yearly checkups for deficiencies that they do on vegan people (B vitamins, iron, etc.)

That said, I wouldn't do it even though I am a vegetarian, unless the dog spent about half its time outdoors where it could supplement what you feed it with what it feels like digging up or catching itself. But most dogs really do just fine as vegetarian, despite what the totally uninformed, never read a book on nutrition in their fat lives, idiots on this site say.

Cats can ONLY be put on vegetarian food if they are indoor/outdoor and have the opportunity to kill their own meals. Cats are carnivorous by nature. Never put an indoor cat on a vegetarian plan, it will not thrive.

Answer 3

A reality check for most people here:

1. dogs are not carnivorous! they are omnivorous, just like people. Cats are carnivorous, but that doesn't mean they can't live on a veggie diet.


2. Most dog food is made mostly out of vegetable matter - corn, wheat, rice - processed but still vegetable.
as it is - there is very little meat in the dry kibble.


3. To the guy that said "you can feed them veggie food but let them hunt their meat" - when was the last time you saw a dog or a cat actually eating an animal they caught?! They don't. They hunt for sport (especially cats!).


4. Think about it logically - dogs (or cats) need X, Y, Z in their diet, right?
As long as they're getting the X, Y & Z from their food they'll be fine. just like people.


5. I would not recommend feeding your dog what you eat. his/her needs are different.
If you buy a branded packaged food that has been tested and developed to specific requirements why should it hurt them?


6. I know a lot of dogs and cats that are vegan - and they're fine.
I saw that you were refereed to www.veggiepets.com. My partner and I tried buying a vegan brand called Ami cat for his 2 cats last year - to see if they liked it.


Well - they liked it. They liked it so much that they weren't interested in their old dry cat food anymore and only ate the vegan kind.


As i said in point 4 - everyone need X, Y, Z from their nutrition - they get it, and some exercise and they'll be fine.

Answer 4

What the fu*k did you just say? Come on. NOw dogs are becoming vegetarians. Dogs are carnivores and to make them stop eating meat could be fatal. If your dog is overweight, go consult a vetenarian or give it diet dog food or give it less portions. Don't disrupt a dogs diet completely. GOd made us and dogs carnivores, you should kepp it that way. So the answer is NO.

Answer 5

I like to put my vegetarian/vegan on a dog diet. It doesnt start out well, but after a few meals made primarily with dog as the main course, they become accustomed to the taste.

Answer 6

vegetarian and vegan as far as food goes are the same. Vegetarians do not eat anything from animals, vegans do not eat or use any products from or used on animals. I have known people to raise their pets on vegi diets and they were healthy and happy. there are plenty of vegi sources of proteins out there. I suggest going to a health food store and talking to someone there.

Answer 7

why can animals eat meat but people can't? a dog eats his food made out of horse.....isn't that JUST as cruel as eating meat yourself? If you have a dog or cat...you HAVE to buy the food for your pet....isn't that promoting the killing of animals which goes against everything vegans and vegetarians stand for?

Answer 8

No, it's a freakin' dog for crying out loud, they like meat not some vegetarian crap!

Answer 9

no its bad for the dog he will not get what needs from that kind of diet

Answer 10

Dogs are meat eaters. If you starve your dog he going to look like a greyhound.