What's a good vegetarian dog food for my Great Dane?

Question

Please don't tell me that dogs have to eat meat. I want to hear from other people who feed their dogs vegetarian dog food. My great dane currently has diarrhea and flatulence issues. I think that a vegetarian dog food will greatly improve his health, especially to omit all of the animal "by-products". I also do not want to contribute to the meat industry anyways (I'm vegan). Thanks for your advice and experience.

Obviously I am aware of the fact that the dog needs protein. However, protein does not have to come from other animals. FYI, I would never subject my dog to an unhealthy situation and would only want the best for him. In my opinion, animal by-products (which are parts of the animal not used for human consumption) are not nutritionally "complete" as you see to say. If it's not good enough for humans, than it's not good enough for my dog either. Would you eat the crap they put into dog food? Hell no.

Answer 1

Listen to "kitkat" (the all lower case one) and Max Marie! They've got it right. I had an AKC show grade Pekingese that lived to the age of 18 on veggie food! Never took him to Westminster but did run a few shows with him and took home some blue ribbons. Other folks at the show used to bug me for details of his diet so they could do the same for their dogs.

The plain, simple flat-out FACT is that there has been way too much research on EXACTLY what nutrients a pet needs to live a long healthy life! With that knowledge it's not only possible but easy to create vegetarian and vegan foods for dogs and cats!

Anyone who states otherwise is just offering an instant, knee-jerk reaction that is NOT based on fact! The same kind of reaction I used to get decades ago when folks would tell me I'd get sick and die as a vegetarian, the same kind of garbage that trolls post here every day about humans that don't eat meat.

Answer 2

Lentils and rice are good to feed your dog. When you feed your dog, whether it's a good quality dry dog food, or a vegan or vegetarian diet, your dog's food should contain protein source that is anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of their daily diet. The other half are grain sources. Dogs love beans and lentils. It may give your dog a little gas, but he will be ok. Lentils are great protein and fiber sources for dogs. Rice is a source of grains, so he is being fed a healthy balanced meal You have your dog on a good diet, just don't over feed him. It's also good that you are feeding your dog dry dog food as a part of his diet because when dogs chew and crunch up the dog food it helps keep their teeth and gums healthy and strong. If your dog is limping, then just try to get him to rest as much as possible until you see the vet. They can examine him and do x-rays to see what is wrong with your dog. They can even give him medications to help relieve any pain or inflammation. Sometimes dogs can twist the wrong way while running,or they may bump in to something, and they may bruise or strain their back or hips. They may even have muscle spasms. So, just let your dog rest and try not to let him run or jump too much until you can get him to the vet tomorrow. Best of luck. Hope I helped.

Answer 3

Mixing rice with peas will be fine. Peas are a most ancient food known to man and have been given to dog sin ancient times before.
But do not give dogs beans they will get extreme gas pains if a bigger breed. Rice gives any dog high energy.

Dogs can eat greens & grains. But a cat cannot ever eat veggies ! Cats need Carnitine is an amino acid which allows for their heart to function of else will stop.

But yes dogs do alright on rice with peas!

Best Wishes

Answer 4

I don't know where you live, but there is an australian vegan pet food http://www.veganpet.com.au/ i had a free sample of it and my cat and dog loved it.

Answer 5

There are many things you can do for your poochie along with getting him good quality kibble.

When my kitty was diagnosed with kidney failure, I worked with my vet to improve his food. I started making my own cat food. His blood toxins dropped by half within 14 days. My vet was stunned. A bonus "side effect" was that his irritable bowl syndrome, something he'd had all his life, cleared up. Another bonus "side effect" was that the colors on my lilac and cream point himmie blossomed. Now she's deep purple and flame point.

So put some thought into researching how to make your own dog food.

If that's too much, then try Wysong. It's one of the BEST out there. I often dog sit. One of my little pups came to me practially autistic. This formerly perky happy little dog could not focus on me. Had an odd repetitive disorder where she'd find a spot on the floor and lick at it until I took her away from the spot. Her owners had her on Pedigree. The dog equivalent of McDonalds...

I switched her to Wysong with in two days she had her mind back.

Still, consider making your own dog food. I'm sure people have told you you shouldn't give your dog people food. Where does that saying come from? The dog food industry. What's in dog food? People food that isn't good enough for people. Tainted corn. Stale rice. Cow tumors. Chicken guts. French fry grease.

Answer 6

I am a vegetarian and I feed my dogs meat. If your dog could talk he would say this " Please, don't put me on a vegan diet just because that's what you think is right. I love meat and taking it away from me would be cruel."
I don't think you should choose whether your dog is vegetarian anymore than you choose whether your mother is a vegetarian. Given the Choice do you really think your great dane would say " Of course I want to become vegan with you. I know it's the right thing to do!" Dogs are a domesticated form of wild animals. Wild animals need meat to thrive. You don't have to feed your dog "by-products" We buy the 'good' dog food which has only whole meat and no processed so it's healthier. And their coats are soft and shiny.

It's your decision. But think about it.

Diarrhea and flatulence can be solved with medication.

Answer 7

Get a better quality dog food without by products. Canidae is highly recommended. Sorry but dogs are not meant to be vegetarian.

Answer 8

just because you are a vegan doesn't mean your animal should be, it isn't safe for your poor animal. I know you don't want to hear this, but the animal is a carninivour. if you can't feed it correctly you shouldn't have it.

Answer 9

You do realize, though, by feeding your dog a vegitarian diet, he will be A)Unhappy, B)Stripped of a dogs primary food group, and C)a less healthy dog all around, and you are going to be taking years off his already short life. But if you insist, I will give you the best foods to keep your dog as helathy as ppossible in this deprived state. Please realise that ABSOLUTELY NONE of these foods are nutritionally complete, and their is no such thing as a nutritionally complete vegitarian dog food.

Breeder's Choice - AvoDerm Vegetarian Dog Food
Evolution Diet - Gourmet Pasta Dog Kibble
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance - Vegetarian Formula
Natural Life - Vegetarian Formula
Nature's Recipe - Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe
Pet Guard - Next to Nature Organic Vegetarian
Three Dog Bakery - Adult Vegetarian Formula
Wenaewe - Vegetarian
Wysong - Vegetarian

Answer 10

Dogs are carnivores, sorry. At best, they can live as omnivores, eating both meat and veggies. You shouldn't enforce your vegan regimen on your dog. Not very healthy for him.

As for the flatulence issue, let it go. It's always a good thing to blame it on the dog, especially if he's the one who farted. At least people won't be looking at you or your significant other wondering who did it.