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 need to 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. In the wild,
a dog will consume grains and vegetables, 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 contain 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 so to speak 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.
