Vegan dog and cat diet?!

[Corgi]

maybe this should be in the dog food and recipes board, i'm not sure.

I found this and think it's a bunch of bologna: http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=34

I totally understand someone having a vegan diet. It might be to save the animals or just for diet reasons. I mean, I tried going vegetarian mainly the sake of the animals, but for diet reasons too. (Only reason I didn't go completely vegan is because I love my ice cream, heh :] ) Of course that didn't stick though.

But seriously. Your cat or dog? Vegan?! Cats and dogs eat meat in the wild, and that's pretty much all they eat, other than very little vegetation. That's just how they eat, and have been eating that way for however long lions and tigers and wolves and dogs have been around. And today, the closest you can get to that diet is meat based dog food, or feeding them the BARF diet. And if you take that away from them, you're pretty much stripping them of their natural diet.

Discuss?

 

[Laurelin]

I don't put much stock into anything that has PETA involved. Vegan diets are not healthy for dogs or cats. I can understand why people want to be vegan, but it is horrible to make your pets suffer because you don't want to properly feed them because you don't agree with eating meat. They didn't make the choice. If you are really against using animals, then you don't need to own a carnivorous or omnivorous animal. Just my 2 cents...

 

[Zoom]

I know one dog that right now has to be on a vegan/vegetarian diet because he's apparently allergic to meat. His owner doesn't have the money right now to do a full-out allergen test to see if it's a specific meat source or just something else that is a common denominator, so for the time being, and to spare the dog anymore horribly painful ear infections, he's on a vegetarian diet.

 

[Laurelin]

I know one dog that right now has to be on a vegan/vegetarian diet because he's apparently allergic to meat. His owner doesn't have the money right now to do a full-out allergen test to see if it's a specific meat source or just something else that is a common denominator, so for the time being, and to spare the dog anymore horribly painful ear infections, he's on a vegetarian diet.

But that's different as it's medically related. I was talking about the people who just decide their dog or cats need to be vegans with them.

And from what i've heard, it's a lot worse for cats to be on a vegan diet than dogs.

 

[Zoom]

Yeah as far as that goes...just give the poor guys the food they need. If you don't like the idea of supporting the slaughter industry just to feed your pet, get something that does well as a vegetarian...birds, mice...fish...

 

[Saje]

Rabbits are great pets! Guinea pigs. Hamsters. I'm a veg and I'd never feed my dogs or cats staight veg only food. Although my dogs do eat more fruit and vegetables than other dogs I think lol. That's all the table scraps they get unless steve's around!

 

[Squidbert]

The only time I think a dog or cat should be fed vegan/vegetarian diet is if they have allergies, a medical condition, etc.. I think it's silly for someone to impose their views on a pet like that..

 

[rij73]

Just to share... I am vegan, but after doing a lot of research couldn't bring myself to impose that on Hudson. He eats Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato formula because I guess I have less sympathy for fish than other animals! I have been assured that a fish-based diet is perfectly healthy for him.

 

[~Jessie~]

The only time I think a dog or cat should be fed vegan/vegetarian diet is if they have allergies, a medical condition, etc.. I think it's silly for someone to impose their views on a pet like that..

I completely agree. I'm a vegetarian, but my dogs eat a mostly meat based diet, including some raw.

 

[Herschel]

I'm vegetarian, and after a lot of consideration we decided to feed Herschel Canidae All Life Stages.

I'm not entirely opposed to a vegetarian diet for dogs, especially if the right fatty acids and amino acids are supplemented, but there isn't enough research done for puppies.

By the way, there was an australian study that tested sledding performance and physiological markers such as oxygen saturation, etc. in huskies and found no difference between dogs maintained on a vegetarian or meat-based diet. I can email the article to anyone that is interested (PM).

There are a couple of vegetarian diets that are actually pretty decent, although one of them adds menadione, unfortunately.

As a side, the Xoloitzcuintle has evolved to be a vegetarian dog. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/xoloitzcuintle.htm

 

[~Jessie~]

On that page about the Xolo, it says it is a myth that they are a vegetarian dog, btw.

 

[Dulce Pit Bull]

I might have to resort to going vegan with Dulce.

She can't have meat, poultry, dairy, cheese, etc. She's doing OK on fish and potato. But we'll see.

I think it's approrpriate if it's a medical condition. And as someone said, it's not fair to impose your views on others because they're different. Anyway, I think it's ok if absolutely mecessary.

 

[Carolyn]

Ahhh yes you wouldn't believe some of the debates I've seen on other forums regarding vegan diets for dogs and cats. I agree, medically? yes then you have no choice, but if it's not medically, then for god sakes, treat your dog and cat, like dogs and cats.

I saw one girl post, that she was vegan, saw no reason why her dog and cat shouldn't be as well. Cats I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong pet lovers here That it has something to do with the Taurine that they need? But anyways, this persons argument was, also that she didn't like handling the meat :yikes: Ummm then put safety food handling gloves on?

Really I think it's quite silly. I'm sure in the wild, they don't have their salad bowls and blenders ready for a good old salad. Meat is what they need, and meat is what they should get

ETA (sorry just veering from the topic) DulciePitbull, how is the little muffin doing now?????

 

[Dulce Pit Bull]

Yes tehre's something that cats need for their eyesite I believe??

The little muffin is doing alright. Her yeast is almost completely gone, she's eating a LITTLE bit more. As far as her allergies go, she hasn't had any hives in almost 2 months! I've been cheating and giving her treats tho No problems yet..

Still on Fish & Potato..we'll be on it for..probably ever!

 

[Carolyn]

Hey that is fantastic..remember even a little bit of progress, is better than none

Hugs from me and my lot, and here's hoping for more positive outcomes