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VEGGIE
DOGS One
major dilemma for vegetarians is feeding
meat to our companion animals. Once we’ve
decided not to support factory farming,
can we justify feeding animal products to
our companions? We’ve often made a
moral exception for our companions based
on the idea that there are no other options
for our canine friends. Many vegetarians
and vegans are unaware that dogs can be
healthy on a vegetarian/vegan diet.
Pet
foods really are the worst of the worst,
full of cancerous tissue and animal parts
‘not fit for human consumption’
(please see 'What’s
Really in Pet Food'). Do we really
want to be feeding this to our animals?
After all, we are their guardians and want
to make sure they are healthy. After all,
we do have some viable options for our animals
that we can be comfortable with in our kitchen.
I
first tried feeding my three dogs a vegan
diet by cooking the food at home based on
recipes from a book. While I did not
mind the extra time it took, the dogs did
not really like it and they started to lose
weight. I talked to some other folks with
veggie dogs and decided to give the pre-made
kibble a try. I did my research and decided
to go with a food approved by the Association
of American Feed Control Officials.
A basic goal of AAFCO is "to provide
regulations, standards and enforcement policies
to regulate the manufacture, distribution,
and sale of animal feeds; resulting in safe,
effective, and useful food". While
I do not completely agree with their practices
nor am I completely convinced it is essential
for a food to be complete, it gave me a
sense of ease. Ultimately what it means
is that the food is supplemented with vitamins
and nutritionally complete by their definition.
I
tried a few brands and settled on one that
the dogs really like and have been very
healthy on for the last three years.
In fact, this is the best they have ever
looked, especially the fifteen year old!
They all love their daily supply of fresh
organic veggies too. I haven’t completely
given up the idea of making food for them
again. There is a supplement called VegDog
that is listed as complete and needs to
be added to homemade food every day.
From
talking with other folks, I realize this
is still a controversial issue with.
I find reassurance in that if dogs can be
just as healthy (or even healthier in many
cases) not consuming animals then there
really is no reason to not at least give
it a try. Based on a combination of my and
other’s experiences with dogs doing
well on a veg diet and the AAFCO approved
foods on the market leaves us no ethical
option but to try our dogs as vegetarians.
I am confident I’m not risking my dogs’
health and feel great to not have to
go buy that bag of lamb and rice dog food
every month.
-Krissi Vandenberg, Executive Director,
Vegan Action
Before
you switch you dog to a vegan diet, please
do your research to make sure that the food
you have chosen for your dog is a complete
and balanced diet. When in doubt- don't
risk your dogs health- consult a veterinarian.
Please
note: Vegan Action does not recommend that
people switch felines to a vegan diet. From
our experience, most cats exhibit a failure
to thrive on the diet or stop eating.
For
more info:
www.vegetariandogs.com
What's
Really In Pet Food?
PETA
Factsheet: Meatless Meals for Dogs and Cats
Veg
Dogs and Cats
Vegetarian
Dog Health Survey
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