When it comes to rearing pets as a vegan, there’s been a paradigm shift in recent years as owners give their animals a plant-based diet.
There’s a mixed reaction to this new movement as passionate dog lovers accuse pet owners of animal cruelty by forcing their dogs to eat plants instead of what they were meant for – meat.
On the other hand, other vegans and people concerned about their dogs’ health have supported this switch, even claiming to notice improvements in their dog’s health after going vegan.
The truth?
With careful planning and preparation, dogs can be healthy on a vegan diet. However, pet owners must take suitable precautions and make the transition gradual to avoid health issues.
Is It Safe to Feed Dogs a Vegan Diet?
While dogs are considered carnivorous, it’s been long proven that their digestive systems can break down and absorb nutrients from plant matter. In fact, most pet owners feed their dogs a side of veggies along with the regular helping of meat.
Some dogs tend to have allergic reactions or suffer from arthritis, and in these instances, vets often prescribe a plant-based diet. This is the case with most senior dogs and dogs with skin issues.
But while a dog can survive on a plant-based diet, the menu must be balanced to ensure they’re getting all the necessary nutrients.
So if you’re planning to start feeding your dog a vegan diet, it’s best to do so under the supervision of an experienced vet.
The argument against dogs being vegan dates back to prehistoric times as dogs evolved from wolves. And their ancestors were thoroughbred carnivores, as most of us are aware.
However, most humans don’t know that wolves will sometimes eat berries, twigs, and grass when they’re unable to obtain specific vitamins and minerals from their diet.
Dogs became our companions as they would hover around the campfire, alerting early humans to the dangers of the night and keeping watch over us as we slept.
In exchange, humans would feed dogs the food scraps left over after their meals. And since early men ate a mixed diet, these scraps weren’t always comprised of meat.
In fact, dogs possess an amylase gene meant for digesting plant matter. While most other carnivorous digestive systems aren’t built for plants, dogs have more nuanced physiology capable of digesting plant starch.
The presence of this gene indicates that dogs are quite capable of living off a plant-based diet with few complications.
The Right Balance
If you’re planning to put your canine on a vegan diet, it’s crucial to seek help from a vet and dog nutritionist.
All carnivores require high levels of protein and animal fats in their diet that can be easily digested and absorbed by their bodies. A lack of these nutrients can lead to severe health issues that may even be irreversible over time.
And while there are stories of pet owners feeding their dogs bowls of tofu and quinoa, these are simply snippets of a more wholesome diet.
You can rest assured that anyone who has successfully transitioned their dog to a vegan diet has done so with the help of a professional nutritionist.
Benefits of Your Dog Going Vegan
When done correctly and supplemented with the necessary vitamins and minerals, your dog can benefit significantly from switching to a vegan diet. Here are a few ways how.
- The lack of saturated fats and cholesterol prevents arterial blocks. This makes your dog less susceptible to heart diseases and strokes.
- No saturated fats also reduce the chances of arthritis or gout, even in dogs of advanced age.
- It’s less likely that your dog will develop digestive issues or contract any deadly bacteria or viruses from the food they ingest.
- Dogs on a vegan diet are less prone to problems caused by hormonal imbalances, like hypothyroidism.
Switch Your Doggie’s Diet
When switching your dog’s diet, figure out ways to include protein and healthy fats without using soy products as they contain certain unhealthy hormones for dogs. With the right advice and a balanced mix of nutrients, your dog should be healthier, stronger, and satisfied with its new diet.