I’ve often wondered the ethics and viability of a vegan diet for dogs.  I thought it was high time I looked into it for you. Is a vegan diet is not only viable but perhaps superior to a meat based, conventional pet food based diet? What is in ‘conventional’ pet food and can we trust it?  Could I find enough evidence to say it is not only ok but better for Fido? 

We are also giving away a 5 lb bag of dog food to one lucky reader!

Recent research papers from the University of Upsalla in Sweden and from UCD, both of them have demonstrated that modern dog has the enzyme composition that allows them to digest starch, but wolves do not!  In other words modern dogs are the product of 10 to 14,000 years of evolution, living in human communities.  The first one is published in Nature, and costs $32.00 to order online.  Both of these papers put to bed the notion that dogs are wolves and, therefore carnivores.    According to a report by PETA, companion dogs can do well on a vegetarian/vegan diets.  Cats however need a vital component that is present in meat and a vegan diet is strongly advised against.  I found an article online, written by Dr. Armaiti May (D.V. M., C.V.A). It claims VEGETARIAN DIETS CAN BE HEALTHY FOR DOGS.  Dr May says that most pet foods contain slaughter house wastes and diseased and dying animals.  Marked unfit for human consumption.  Would you really want your precious pup to eat it? Some pet foods are even said to contain the remnants of un-housed dogs and cats that have been put to sleep from ‘rescue’ centres. If we are what we eat then surely, dogs are no exception?  click here for full article.

I contacted David Middlesworth the founder of V-Dog, a US based vegan pet food whose product contains a list of super food ingredients  company and asked him a few questions.

Can you recommend any home-made meals for dogs?
 Basically our formula, which is a complete diet for dogs.  Or a favourite meal of one of your own dogs.  We do add things to the kibble such as nutritional yeast, table veggies, oatmeal in the AM, extra brown rice and quinoa in the PM.  However,V-dog contains all of the essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and 24% protein a dog needs to thrive. 
  
It is important that humans have a high ratio of raw/uncooked foods to benefit from the nutrients and enzymes that are lost during cooking, is this the same for dogs?  
No, dogs are not in the same category.  

Are their any plant foods, which we find in our stores, a dog shouldn’t eat?  Yes, onions, garlic, chocolate, peppers,grapes & raisins, macadamia nuts, hops, yeast and xylitol to name a few.

Why and how did you launch a vegan dog food - V-Dog?
We were attending an International Vegetarian Conference in Edinburg, Scotland in 2003, and Happy Dog was tabling there.  I contacted them, and over the course of 18 months started selling their brand in the USA.  We were  never completely satisfied with it, and developed our own formula with our Ph.D professional pet nutritionist.  We took out the allergens like wheat, corn, soy, and we have no GMO or gluten in our formula, but it is 24% protein. 

taste tester Lefty sniffing out a V-Dog kibble

eager dog! the bowl travelled around the room in her efforts to lap up all the V-Dog.

I’d say her verdict was a big paws-up!

Now we want to hear from you!
What is your experience?  Do you have a vegetarian dog?  Do you think imposing your diet on your dog is best for them?  Leave your thoughts/experiences in the comments box below and lets see what you have to say.

 V-dog have kindly donated a 5 lb bag of kibble for 1 lucky reader.  All you have to do is submit an entry in the box below and promise to come back and tell us how your dog liked it.

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