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Can A Dog Thrive On A Vegetarian Diet

from: Kyle Besser

Once you become a dog owner, you need to decide what kind of food to feed your dog. You may eat a vegetarian diet, so you would like your dog to follow a vegetarian diet for dogs. But does a vegetarian diet provide the right nutrition requirements for a dog?

Let's take a look at what dogs eat in the wild. A wolf or stray dog typically will kill a small animal or scavenge until it finds something that it can eat. In the wild, a dog will eat grains and vegetables, but the dog's diet also contains meat.

Take a look at your dog's teeth. You will notice that grinding and tearing surfaces are present. This is one indication that dogs are naturally omnivorous. This means that dogs are biological meat and plant eaters. Straying from nature can be difficult, but it may not be impossible.

It may be possible to feed your dog solely vegetarian meals, but a vegetarian diet is not typically recommended for dogs. A dog's diet must be well balanced and nutritious to support good health and optimal body function. A completely vegetarian diet may be good for you but not supply the nutrition requirements for a dog.

A healthy diet should allow your dog 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 most frequently provided through animal tissue and bones in the wild and in most varieties of manufactured dog food.

Amino acids are also important 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 dog through the dog's diet. A vegetarian dog diet has trouble meeting these nutrition requirements for a dog to thrive.

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 diet to your dog. Depending on your specific plan, your vet may be able to recommend some supplements to add to the prospective vegetarian diet that will create a healthy balance for your dog. If supplements are not available to create the healthy and balanced diet your dog needs to thrive, you can discuss other options to achieve a diet that works well for your dog and still 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 dietary goals for your dog. Your dog's diet must be well balanced and nutritious to provide essential nutrients and amino acids to your dog's ultimate health. Supplements may help you to achieve proper vegetarian dog nutrition. You and your vet both want what is best for your dog and you will undoubtedly be able to determine a diet that works for your dog and your family.