As more people switch to organic, vegetarian or vegan diets, we’re starting to think more about the quality of the food we feed our dogs, including the ingredients. Pet food companies are responding by offering a wider variety of kibble and canned foods, including vegetarian diets. But is a non-meat diet really the best for dogs?
Canine Anatomy
Dogs are carnivores, and their biology proves it. Their teeth evolved into sharp points so that they could tear and eat meat. Their intestinal tracts are shorter than humans or herbivores, indicating that their systems aren’t good at processing vegetable matter, which takes much longer to digest than meat.
Dogs have complex nutritional needs, which can be met with a meat-based diet. They require high levels of protein and calcium, both of which are found in animal tissue, as well as B12, which isn’t found in many plants. Although plants contain essential amino acids, they aren’t balanced to meet a dog’s biological needs.
Arguments Against a Vegetarian Diet
People select dog food based on different criteria, but the top reason for choosing a vegetarian diet is most likely because the owners are vegetarian or vegan for personal or philosophical reasons.
The problem with this thinking is that while a vegetarian diet has innumerable benefits for the human body, it can be dangerous for canines, who need specific nutrients only found in meat protein.
Another reason for switching to a veggie-only diet might be because of the way cattle and chickens are treated and processed. Stuffed with antibiotics and hormones and fed a diet mainly comprised of corn products, meat and chicken can be unhealthy for dogs and humans alike. Some meat can cause food allergies, infections, cancer and liver and kidney malfunctions.
However, more and more pet food manufacturers are producing dog food made from organic, humanely raised beef and chicken, making meat-based kibble and canned food healthy and safe. Also on the rise are dog foods made from alternative forms of animal tissue, like organic game and fish, which don’t contain the same pollutants as other forms of meat.
Health Benefits of a Dog Vegetarian Diet
The only real benefits to feeding your dog a vegetarian diet are if he has allergies or organ problems that preclude him from digesting meat protein. Both conditions are rare, so you should only feed a vegetarian diet if your vet recommends it.
Most food allergies result from fillers, like corn, wheat and animal byproducts. If your dog is allergic to these ingredients, you can select a food that is made with non-grain binders, like sweet potatoes. If your dog’s allergies persist and your vet recommends a vegetarian diet to alleviate the problem—which, despite popular belief, is actually quite rare—then a vegetarian diet might be the best option for your dog.
The same is true with gastrointestinal issues. If your dog becomes sick or suffers from chronic diarrhea, try different meat-based dog foods until you find one that agrees with him. In extreme cases, his body may not be able to adequately process meat, chicken or game at all, making a vegetarian diet the only option.
Choose the Best Vegetarian Food
If your vet agrees that your dog needs to be on a plant-based diet, it’s essential that you find one that meets all his varied nutritional needs. Although making your dog’s food yourself might be tempting, it’s unlikely that home-cooked meals will contain all the nutrients he needs.
The best options for a healthy vegetarian diet are prepared foods from pet food manufacturers. Premium food will contain various proportions of vegetables, fruit, beans, dairy products, eggs or soy products, as well as supplements to round out your dog’s nutritional needs.
If you do prepare your dog’s diet yourself, make sure you cook the vegetables thoroughly so that your dog’s shorter intestinal tract doesn’t have such a hard time breaking down plant matter. The same is true for soy-based products.
In addition to the vegetables, mix in brown rice, potatoes or sweet potatoes, all of which will work as a binding agent for the vegetables and provide carbohydrates. You must include a source of protein, such as beans, eggs or dairy products. Don’t to forget supplements, which you can find online or at most quality pet supply stores.
Transitioning Your Dog to a Vegetarian Diet
The healthfulness of your dog’s food won’t matter if he refuses to eat it. Many dogs love carrots, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli and other veggies, but some dogs are downright picky about what they eat and may turn up their noses at a diet without meat.
The best way to convince your dog that vegetables are tasty is to gradually transition him to a plant-based diet. Begin by adding small amounts of vegetables or vegetarian kibble to a reduced portion of his regular food, and then gradually adjust the portions until he’s only eating the vegetarian food.
If your dog still refuses to eat vegetables, puree them with chicken broth, which will encourage him to experiment, and add eggs or dairy products to the kibble-vegetable mixture.
If you’ve tried everything and your dog still refuses to eat a vegetarian diet, then you’ll have to accept the fact that he will only eat a meat-based diet. In this case, look for dog food that is made with organic, high-quality ingredients, preferably fewer than ten. Read the labels carefully and make sure the food doesn’t include large quantities of corn, wheat, animal byproducts, preservatives or artificial flavorings.
Maintaining Good Organ Health
Because a vegetarian canine diet can cause liver and kidney problems, you’ll need to take your dog to the vet for regular urine tests. In addition to testing your dog’s urine, your vet should also monitor your dog for any negative results of his new diet.
Even if you don’t feed your dog a vegetarian diet, you can still supplement his regular food with vegetables or give them out as snacks. Peeled baby carrots are popular with most pups, as are green beans and squash.
