You have recently welcomed a furry companion into your home. Your four-legged friend has adopted you as her own. Now that you have become a true pet owner, you must decide what to feed your pet. You eat a vegetarian diet, so you would like your new dog to follow these same guidelines. Is a vegetarian diet right for your dog?
Let’s take a look at what dogs eat in the wild. A wolf or stray dog typically will kill an animal or scavenge until she finds an acceptable fare. A dog will consume grains and vegetables in the wild, but the dog’s diet also contains meat.
Taking a look at your pet’s teeth, you may notice that grinding and tearing surfaces are present. This is one indication that dogs are omnivorous. This means that dogs are biological meat and plant eaters. Straying from nature can be a difficult task, but may not be impossible.
It can be possible to feed your dog solely vegetarian meals, but this type of diet is not typically recommended for your pet. Your dog’s diet must be well-balanced and nutritious to support good health and optimal body function. A completely vegetarian lifestyle may be perfect for you, but difficult to achieve for your dog.
A healthy diet should allow your pet to thrive not simply survive. A vegetarian dog diet will, too frequently, result in a dog who shows signs and indications of a lesser quality of health than a dog fed a well-balanced diet containing animal products.
Your dog’s body requires high amounts of protein. Protein is frequently provided through animal tissue and bones in the wild, as well as, in most varieties of manufactured dog diets.
Amino acids are also key to your dog’s health. Only 12 of the 22 essential amino acids can be produced by your dog’s body. The other 10 amino acids must be provided to your pet through your dog’s diet. A vegetarian dog diet has trouble meeting the requirements to allow your dog to thrive under these circumstances.
As with any change you would make to your own diet, you would want to consult your physician for medical advice. Talk to a professional about the advantages and disadvantages of feeding a vegetarian dog diet to your pet. Depending on your specific plan, he or she may be able to recommend some supplements to add to the prospective vegetarian diet that will create a healthy balance for your new furry friend. If supplements are not available to create the healthy and balanced diet your dog deserves, then the two of you can discuss other options to determine a dog diet that works well for your pet and satisfies your lifestyle.
A vegetarian dog diet goes against nature and is typically not recommended for dogs. Talking your situation over with a veterinarian will help you to determine the best way to achieve your dietary goals for your pet. Your dog’s diet must be well balanced and nutritious to provide essential nutrients and amino acids to your furry friend. Supplementation may help you to achieve your goal. Keep in mind that you and your vet both want what is best for your pet and you will undoubtedly determine a dog diet that works for your family.
