Do dogs or cats HAVE TO eat meat?

Answer 1

Cats do. They are obligate carnivores. They require "taurine", an ingredient that is basically only found adequately in meat sources. Vegetarian diets for felines are also found to contribute to urinary problems. However, there are some pre-made vegetarian diets out there that many people swear by. Of course, the diet contains adequate amounts of taurine.

Dogs are NOT carnivores or obligate carnivores. They are omnivores. Dogs can thrive on a properly balanced vegetarian diet.

http://www.ivu.org/faq/animals.html

http://naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/Vegetarian.html

Answer 2

I do not know about dogs, they are omnivores and may get by on a very well planned out vegetarian diet. But cats must absolutely eat meat!!! They will die without meat. The ideal cat diet is all fat and protein, very little carbohydrates. If anyone tells you that a cat does not need meat, they are stupid and trying to kill your cat. Preferably, they should eat raw meat, but this does not fit in well with the human lifestyle.

Answer 3

Dogs can be perfectly healthy vegetarians because their omnivores. Cats, however, are carnivores and their health can suffer on a vegetarian diet. They simply don't get the right nutrients without meat. If you do want your dog to be a vegetarian you should start when he's young switching a 5 year old dog is a bad idea but a 1 or 2 year old dog that's switched slowly should be healthy. You should talk to a vet about it to make sure his diet isn't missing anything and find a vegetarian dog food or dog food recipe. For cats, if you're concerned about animals welfare you can buy cruelty free at cat food at a store like Whole Foods. It's a bit more expensive but many people find it's worth it and it's also a very natural and well-balanced food.

Answer 4

You can get by with feeding a dog a vegetarian diet, but your cat MUST eat a meat diet.

Answer 5

Cats do, dogs don't.

They have different dietary requirements. Cats cannot manufacture their own taurine (essential fatty acid) - they have to get it from their food, and it only exists in animal protein. They end up dead if they never get any meat.

Dogs can technically survive on a vegetarian diet, but it isn't their natural one so they are unlikely to thrive on it.

Dogfood tends to contain more vegetables than catfood, to reflect the differences in their natural diets.

Chalice

Answer 6

our pets no. High quality kibbles contain meat but most vegans who care for their pets don't mind.

Cats absolutely yes

dogs are only recommended because they were originally raised on meat but meats are best.

Now if you are all vegan and crap. Think about this....don't question if it has to eat meat because it probably does to naturally stay healthy. Take people who go totally vegan. It is quite hard to stay healthy.

Answer 7

They are carnivores. Meat eaters. I think they'd pass on the veggies in the wild for a juicy mouse.

Answer 8

It depends on who you talk to.

Technically, they are omnivorous animals, but vegetarian pet food exists, and I know vegetarians who have fed it to their pets with no ill effects. However, even though I'm veg, I refuse to force my cats into it... it was my choice, not theirs.

Most people feel they should eat meat, but I'd talk it over with your vet if you're considering giving them vegetarian pet food.

Answer 9

my dogs just eat dog food

Answer 10

Why would you feed something that is a carnivore & has been for millenia, anything else but what they are supposed to eat???
Don't press human issues onto pets.....It's cruel!!!