How to Put Your Dog on a Vegetarian Diet

Unlike a cat, dogs are actually omnivores, not true carnivores. This means that they can be healthy without eating meat, but you must make sure your dog is getting enough protein and all the other nutrients he needs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vegetarian Diet Books
• Vegetarian Dog Food

1. Buy a natural health book for dogs or, better yet, one that specializes in vegetarian diets. Follow the diet given.

2. Make sure your dog is getting enough of all the amino acids he needs and vitamin B-12. For this reason it's important to follow a prescribed diet.

3. Speak to your vet about testing your dog's urine periodically. You can do it at home very simply, and there are products on the market for this purpose. A vegetarian diet can make a dog's urine more alkaline; this may predispose them to urinary tract infections.

4. Give your dog cranberry capsules if the urine is too alkaline. This will make it more acidic and help prevent urinary tract infections.

5. Buy a prepared, high-quality vegetarian dog food. This is a good alternative if you're unsure what to feed your dog or don't have time to properly prepare a homemade meal.

6. Supplement with veggie dog treats and biscuits. These are available at most health food or pet stores.

7. Find a veterinarian who supports your decision and who is knowledgeable about vegetarian diets.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a veterinarian before putting your dog on a vegetarian diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

[killingretards]

on 7/1/2009 http://www.rawfed.com/myths/omnivores.html

DOGS ARE DEFINITELY CARNIVORES.
AND ARE PRONE TO DILATED HEART FAILURE WITHOUT MEAT.\
PLEASE DON'T LISTEN TO THIS RUDE MAN WHO OBVIOUSLY KNOWS NOTHING.

[jrtheone]

on 3/14/2009 if your dog doesnt get salt it will die, salt is part of every mammals requirement for life via our processes. if you do not understand what you are talking about, please do not post here. and feed your dog meat, just because you make a decision that is not based on your evolution doesn't mean your dog should suffer. Any dog would gladly eat meat over any vegan crap you try and feed it.

[jrtheone]

on 3/14/2009 you guys are whacked. feed your dog meat. dogs are omnivores, not vegetarians. if you want a vegetarian pet get a cow, othewise feed your dog meat.

[mistral]

on 2/24/2009 P.S. Wolves will eat plant matter in the wild. Yes, they may prefer fresh meat however if none is available they will eat plant matter. Also, wolves or wild dogs have traditionally eaten meat because that is the only food source available to them that gives them the majority of their requirements. A domesticated dog with an educated owner can find alternatives to meat that will be just as healthy. Longevity should only be sought if the quality of life can be maintained. I know someone with a 16 year old dog that's been fed processed food and unhealthy table scraps (meat and cheese) for it's entire life. It's covered in tumors, blind, deaf, on several meds, and has had enough money spent on vet visits to equal the purchase of a new car.

[mistral]

on 2/24/2009 Good article. I don't feed my dogs a no meat diet (i'm not a vegan myself), however I do include lots of fruit and veggies and non-meat items into their diets. Ever seen a dog beg for carrots? Dogs are ominivores by nature and wolves in the wild have an average life span of 30 years vs the domesticated dogs 12 or 13 years... makes you wonder if conventional dog food and thinking is to blame for that gap.