What do vegetarians/vegans feed their pets? Are there any good non meat based pet foods out there?

Answer 1

Please don't try to make vegetarians out of animals that are naturally carnivores. If left to their own devices they will eat primarily meat and there's a very good reason for it. Their bodies are geared that way. You have a choice to eat meat or not and it won't adversely effect how your body functions. They don't have that choice and it's no more correct than trying to make a plant eating animal eat meat, rather like trying to turn a lion or wolf into a cow. Nature should be respected :) Sorry I don't mean to be disrespectful...

Answer 2

Please do not subject your pet to become something it isn't. Humans can be vegans because we normally eat a variety of foods and a lot of those that are not meat based, contain the protein that we can suppliment meat protein with. Cats are one of the only animals on this planet that are Obligate Carnavoirs. They cannot eat just veggies. They don't even eat veggies in the wild. They way that they get their veggies is by eating the whole carcus of the animal they kill, bones and all and that gives them their complete diet. Whatever the animal they ate had eaten and was composed of was what nourished the cat. This is the way it has always been. To force them to be otherwise is to subject them to sickness and diseases that they shouldn't have to go through. The same is true with dogs only dogs also eat vegetables as well and some fruit in their diets naturally in the wild. Its animal cruelty to not feed an animal what has been proven is the diet that keeps them alive and healthy. Please consider that. Your pet being a meat eater will not effect you at all. Their dog or cat food isn't something you have to eat, so don't make them eat your food either. It reminds me about a sign I saw at a lake once. It read: "We don't swim in your toilet so don't pee in our lake. Signed: The Fish" We do not have to make our pets into something that is abnormal for them. Vegetarian eating is normal for humans that want to do it. We can survive very healthily on that diet. Animals cannot unless that is the normal diet they would eat, like birds. So if you insist on feeding a vegin diet to an animal, please get a vegin pet that normally eats it like a bird.

Answer 3

Dogs and cats are carnivores, plain and simple. If you can't get past your own self-imposed ban on meat products, do not get an animal like a dog or cat that needs a carnivorous diet.
Get a rabbit.
Feeding a dog or cat a vegetarian diet is downright neglectful to a dog and the equivalent of abuse in a cat.

Answer 4

I can comment only on cats, which are my specialty.

I am a vegetarian, but was advised years ago, by a very wise doctor, that my own beliefs about meat have NO place in the choices I make regarding the diet of my cat.

Cats are "involuntary carnivores," which means that they NEED meat; and that is a fact, NOT a choice.

The best bet, if you have strong feelings on meat consumption, or the cruelty involved with meat-eating, would be organic or free-range-based cat foods available at healthy markets like Wild Oats, or whatever you have, locally.

Answer 5

My pets do eat meat, but only once a week. I purchase humanely killed meats from local farmers where I know the animals were treated with the utmost respect and were not tortured at all. My pets are carnivores, and they need meat to be healthy, unlike myself. I would be a hypocrite if I neglected my pets' needs.

Answer 6

Please, if you want a pet that you don't need to feed meat to, then please get an animal that is an herbivore such as a rabbit or get a bird.

Dogs age carnivores, and cats are obligate carnivores. These animals require meat in their diets to remain healthy and shouldn't be forced to eat an unnatural diet b/c their owner only eats non-animal products. I feel that someone who forces a carnivorous animal to live on an herbivorous diet should be charged w/ animal cruelty just the same as someone who is caught feeding their horse or rabbits steaks would surely be charged w/ animal cruelty. You don't see Atkins people going around and feeding their Guinea Pigs a diet of meat b/c they feel the Atkins diet is best for people.

Lahoma
http://www.ahealthierpet.com

Answer 7

That would depend. What animal do you want to feed? Also, some animals need meat and you can't deprive them of that. I mean, there's dry dog and cat food. Parakeets and other household birds usually eat assorted seeds and vegetables...

Answer 8

But just because the owner is a vegan/vegetarian doesn't mean their animals have to be, too XDD. I don't know - personally, it's beyond me how a dog or cat could get enough nutrients and/or satisfaction from *resists the urge to say rabbit food* vegetables alone......

Answer 9

The vote is still out on this one too. When researching ,I have seen a few and several homemade version but as for the affacts and well being of your pet, I dont know.
Here's 1 link
http://www.v-dogfood.com/

Answer 10

Cats are natural carnivores, dogs are natural omnivores. They will be deprived of the vitamins and minerals needed for them to stay healthy.

Although not recommended, some people make their own pet food to the best of their ability.