Do vegetarians feed their dogs meat considering that dogs are carnivores?

Question

For those who don't know, dry dog food is also made from animal meat/offals.

Answer 1

What I eat and what my dog eats have absolutely nothing to do with each other. (Well, except for those occasional nibbles of cheese and popcorn that I give her, anyway.)

We're responsible for our pets, and we have to make good, informed decisions about what's best for them. If my dog's vet says that she needs a certain diet based on her health conditions and physical needs, then that's what she'll be eating.

My body functions well without meat, and I have the right to make dietary decisions based on health, my personal ethics, etc. And at the same time, I have the *responsibility* to make the best possible choice for my dog's diet.

I made the decision to bring the animal into my life, and I see no conflict between my vegetarian principles and doing what's best for my pet.

Answer 2

Dogs are omnivores and can eat vegetarian kibble.

Cats are carnivores and must eat meat. They do make a vegetarian cat food but it is extremely expensive because some of the ingredients are very hard to synthesize.

It also depends on what type of vegetarian. True Vegan? Lacto? Ovo? Picto? (Cheese, eggs, fish OK or not).

Answer 3

First of all, dogs are not carnivores, they are omnivores. Dogs can survive quite nicely on a vegetarian diet and many people choose to feed their dogs a vegetarian kibble. (FWIW, most kibbles contain meat unless labelled as vegetarian).

Not all vegetarians follow the same set of rules. Some will feed their dogs a meat based diet (whether it's fresh food or kibble) while others will choose to feed a well balanced vegetarian diet to their dogs. All that really matters is that the dog is getting everything it needs in the diet, and the rest of the decision is up to the owner.

Answer 4

This is something I have thought about as I have been taking steps towards a more animal friendly lifestyle over the past few years (changing all our household products and beauty supplies to cruelty free ones, cutting meats out of our diet one-by-one etc.)

The conclusion I have come to is that it is probably healthier for the pet to eat meat. And, who am I to assume that they want to take part in my vegetarian lifestyle? You might be able to argue who am I to assume they want to eat meat but if I put a plate of pinto beans and a plate of chicken down, the dog is going to go for the chicken. Choice made.

Answer 5

If they want a healthy dog they will. Dogs are not meant to eat like vegetarians, any vet will tell you to feed them dog food. Even dry dog food has MEAT products.....Dogs will be dogs!

Answer 6

I would never EVER change my animals diet just because of my beliefs. In the wild they eat meat, I'm not about to change it because I think it's wrong to eat animals. Hey Toby likes it so :) If you want an animal that's a vegetarian get a guinea pig :)

Answer 7

I know some vegetarians that have pets that are vegetarian as well. There are some companies that make vegetarian pet food, like Evolution Healthy Pet Food and Heinz Pet Products.

Answer 8

Look at their teeth. Dogs/wolves are primarily (not exclusively) meat eaters.

People who think that EVERY animal should be vegan are ridiculous.

p.s. Dogs love eggs. They are a decent meat substitute.

Answer 9

I'm vegetarian and i feed my dog normal meaty dog food because i believe just because I'm vegetarian doesn't mean everyone and everything around me should be they should be free to choose.also i don't think vegetarians should force their way of life on others.

Answer 10

1.there was a vegan dog(border collie) in Australia who lived to be 27

2.Vegetarian dog food is probably better than what they put into "normal" dog food.Do you think they actually put good meat into that food?(If you have been feeding your companion animals commercial pet foods, you may be jeopardizing their health. Supermarket pet foods are often composed of ground-up parts of animals deemed by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors unfit for human consumption. The flesh of animals who fall into one of the categories of the four D’s—dead, dying, diseased, or disabled—is what often goes into pet food. Many of these animals have died of infections and other diseases. In all but a few states it is legal to remove unusable parts from chickens and sell them to pet food manufacturers. Most pet foods contain the same hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics that are found in commercial meat products for humans. If you are concerned about your companion animals’ health and about the cruelty of the meat industry, now is the time to stop buying meat-based commercial pet food.)


3.Vegetarian dog foods come fortified with everything they need and it is approved by vets

4.If I had my own dogs,I would probably give them organic meat,I would think a dog would thrive on a meat-based diet

5.Studies have shown that the ailments associated with meat consumption in humans, such as allergies, cancer, and kidney, heart, and bone problems, also affect many nonhumans. Pet food has also been recalled during mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), scares because of the risk that contaminated meat was processed into the food. One deputy commissioner states that cats especially “are susceptible to BSE.”(2)
The nutritional needs of dogs and cats are easily met with a balanced vegan diet and certain supplements. James Peden, author of Vegetarian Cats & Dogs, developed Vegepet™ supplements to add to vegetarian and vegan recipes. They are nutritionally balanced and also come in special formulas for kittens, puppies, and lactating cats and dogs