Veggie Pup

What do u all kno about veggie dogs ... Is it good for them to be vegetarian? If so do any of you guys kno were I can get some info on it? Iam looking into having my new pup cloey turn veg but if its not good for them of course I wouldnt do it . So if anyone can help me out I will truely appreciate it
Thanks
Peace , katy

 

I thought this was a thread about a puppy made of veggies. Darn.

 

NO!

Your dog will get very ill and have very little energy.

Bad idea.

 

Not to my knowledge -

http://www.auntjeni.com/natural.htm

http://www.b-naturals.com/Spr1999.php
excerpt from -
Wolves are members of the carnivore family, known as canis lupus. The domestic dog is also of the carnivore family, known as canis familiaris. The book, "The Carnivores", written by R. F. Ewer (lecturer in biology at the University of Ghana) states that "Canis Familiaris is generally believed to have evolved from the wolf, the wild species that most closely resembles both anatomically and behaviorally. The differences between the two are not great enough to make it necessary to postulate a hypothetical ancestral wild species which has neither survived to the present day not left any known fossil remains."

Some typical features common to carnivores are a large mouth opening, a single hinge joint that lays in the same plane as the teeth, and a large primary muscle on the side of the head for operating the jaw. The teeth are short and pointed, made for grasping and shredding. These teeth come together to give a cutting motion and act like shears. The teeth and mouth of the carnivore are developed to swallow food whole, not for chewing or crushing.

Carnivores do not have digestive enzymes in their saliva. Humans have amylase, which helps to begin to break down complex carbohydrates. The dogs digestive tract is one-third to one-half the length of an omnivore. This shortness is designed for adaption for quick, muscular digestion of raw meat and bones. Carnivores have a much higher concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach for break down of proteins and to kill any dangerous bacteria. Their stomach acidity is less than or equal to pH 1 with food in the stomach, while humans are pH 4 to 5.

This raises the question of what is the best food for carnivores, according to their digestive tract and physiology. Dogs, as carnivores, have difficulty digesting grains and other complex carbohydrates. With the lack of digestive enzymes in the mouth, complex carbohydrates are not predigested, and take a long time to break down in the stomach, and small intestine, if they break down at all. Most of the complex carbohydrates pass through undigested, and create large stools in the dog.

It is interesting to note that dry dog foods are mainly cereal, consisting of a large part of corn, wheat, rice and soy. While dog food companies would have you believe that grains are a good source of protein, the fact is that dogs have a very difficult time digesting and utilizing protein from carbohydrates. Studies show dogs do best on animal protein, and the higher the quality, the better the protein is assimilated. The poorer quality proteins create a stress on the dogs kidneys and it makes proper nutritional digestion difficult.

 

And you know this HOW? I bet you would say the same unfounded opinion about vegetarian people. Do you even have a dog? What exactly would make a dog get ill and have no energy if the food was properly planned? Have you ever looked up anything on vegetarian nutrition or vegetarian dog nutrition specifically? I am willing to bet the answer is no for some or all of these questions.


We have had my dog for almost a year. He was on shelter food when I got him. he is a veggie dog now (after we switched his food. you have to do it gradually because some dogs are sensitive when introducing new food. Ours took right to the new food)
He has a ton of energy, a soft shiny coat, and is happy and healthy. he loves going on runs and he went swimming yesterday. He is far from ill or listless.

There is actually a new vegetarian dog food out called v-dog. I have not seen it yet in stores but it is available online. PM me for questions.
If you are vegetarian there is no reason to feed your dog meat. Dogs are more omnivorous than carnivorous (like cats) and there are a lot of vegetarian and vegan dogs.

 

Well, I've experienced it first hand, so I know, if you think otherwise you're a lunatic.

 

Are you referring to my post but quoting fgwolf?

 

My friend was a crazy vegan idiot, he got a puppy, and thought he would be a complete idiot and make the puppy vegan too. The resulting health problems and behavioural abnormalities made it extremely evident his diet was changing the dog. He didn't seem like a pup.

Me and a few of his friend got together and started sneaking the dog meat every couple of days behind his back, and what do you know? He got energy, he started acting like a puppy again, AMAZING!

 

He was an idiot and crazy because he was vegan? I find your name calling completely unnecessary and offensive. You really should do better to describe your friend. You seem anti-veg for personal reasons. So far you have used "crazy", "idiot" (twice!) and "lunatic".
What was he feeding his dog? Did he do a gradual switch or a complete switch overnight? If he was feeding him rice and carrots, then YES you had a right to be concerned. You can't just go blindly into having an animal. Dogs can't survive healthily on only raw veggies and rice. They have to have certain vitamins, etc. There are several complete vegetarian dog kibbles, and you can also make your own, complete with enzymes.
You should have discussed this with him instead of sneaking meat behind his back. I am glad I do not have "friends" like you.

 

No need to insult people. If you have an opinion, share it, if you disagree with another's opinion, fine. Just don't start with the calling names. Thats the best way to have people stop listening to you.

I do what I think is best, and I see good results in my dog. Others will do what they think is best, and if they see good results in their dogs, let it go.

And I do feed a raw diet, with no grains, and maybe once in a while Eris will get banana slices or apples. Not because she needs them, but because she enjoys them. (my opinion)

 

At the end of the day, I guess it's your choice.

I feed my dog live rabbits from time to time, I think he likes the chase and kill part, some would call that cruel, others natural, so I guess it's all a matter of opinion.

 

You feed your dog live rabbits? Isn't your dog domesticated? This is not natural in this day and age, I find it rather disturbing. It's one thing if your dog goes out and chases them down from time to time but you actually release live rabbits for your dog to hunt down? Maybe this is a common habit where you're from, I don't know as I'm from so cal, we're more uptight about such things out here.

Anyway back to the point of topic, my dog was vegetarian for a long while not entirely due to my own choice but she was allergic to animal protein. I've read dogs can live very well on vegetarian diets if done right but I also believe it is selfish of us to deny our dogs what nature has prescribed for them. Dogs are carnivores, they are born this way and are intended to live this way.

When my dog was vegetarian I gave her vitamin supplements & fish oil and she ate lots of tofu, brocoli ,carrots & potatos with the skin mixed with rice. Cottage cheese is good for them as well. You may want to think about vit. supplements for your pup.

 

It's common over here, rabbits are a pest, we're doing the environment a favour, as well as feeding our dogs. They appreciate the thrill kill I think, it's all a game for them. Like the snake I used to have, we fed her live rats, that was all she ate, she refused to eat frozen rats or any other meat.

 

At least the rabbits have a chance to escape. The veggies never had a chance. As animals, we can't make our own food. Only plants can do that. Animals have to steal their food from either "the working class"(plants), or other thieves. What's morally wrong with a dog eating meat? Juat a matter of opinion.

 

people who feel it's morally wrong for themselves to eat meat believe it is morally wrong for their dogs to eat meat.

 

I hope you are joking.
And that rabit thing is incredibly inhumane.

 

It's more natural than feeding it refined extracts and processed grains.

 

Well I apreciate all the serious- topic realated comments
Of course I understand Dogs are carnivors and it depends on your point of view about the situation. I respect all of your oppinions some may be against what I believe in but of course I respect them. I know before I do anything Iam going to do alot of research on it. I only care about whats good for my dog, of couse I wouldnt want to put her in harms way. Thanks alot! Iam hoping to read more comments and facts on this topic
thanks again
Peace Katy

 

I remember a humorous cartoon that showed vegans trying to convert wild carnivores to vegans.

There is a group out there that does believe it is immoral for lions and such to eat other animals. I found the website once. I thought it was a good parody at first, sadly it wasn't.

 

I do find it funny that the people who say its wrong and completely "unnatural" to keep your freaking cat inside would think it's totally fine to turn your dog into a vegetarian.