Vegetarian Dog Foods
Many vegetarian people would like to feed their dogs vegetarian dog food too. Dogs are omnivores and thus can live with a vegetarian food diet. It is, however, important to understand the nutrition requirements of the dog and design the vegetarian diet accordingly to ensure that it receives all nutrients in the right quantity.
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Dietary Requirements
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A dog's general diet should include 3.5 percent fiber, 5.5 percent fats, 10 percent protein and 50 percent carbohydrates, according to Vet Info. The carbohydrate and fat content would be altered for puppies, pregnant dogs and inactive dogs.
Protein and Amino Acids
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Protein is an important nutrient that must be present in the dog diet. Dogs are not dependent on meat-specific protein and can be given protein through a vegetarian diet. Protein is composed of 22 amino acids. Out of these, 10 must be included in dogs' diets and the others are produced naturally, no matter what they are fed. These amino acids help dogs convert their food to glucose for energy. Dogs require two amino acids called taurine and L-carnitine to be added to their daily diet. Failing to do so can lead to a heart illness called dilated cardiomyopathy. These can be found in nuts, seeds, beans, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Eggs and milk are high-level protein sources. Other foods that include protein are soybean, lentils and canola.
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Essential Fatty Acids
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Essential fatty acids help keep the dog's coat healthy and shiny and keeps the skin from become dry and itchy. Omega 3 fatty acid supplements must also be added to the dog's diet for healthy skin.
Carbohydrates and Fiber
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For energy, dogs must be fed foods that are rich in carbohydrates. These include corn meal, soybeans, rice and wheat. Fiber can be found in cell walls of plants, grains and almost all carbohydrate sources. Common sources of fiber in dog food are soybean, beetroot, rice, bran, pectin and peanut.
Vitamins and Minerals
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Dogs require a variety of vitamins and minerals. Calcium assists in bone growth and blood coagulation, while chlorine is critical for fluid level maintenance in cells. Vitamin B1, B12, B6, and K assist in transferring carbohydrates to energy, aids enzyme function, helps red blood cell production and assists glucose levels. Zinc and sodium are other important components that maintain cell growth and proper blood chemical levels respectively. In addition to this, choline and copper help in cell growth and tissue formation. The list also includes folic acid, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese niacin, panthothenic acid, phosphorous, potassium, selenium and riboflavin. An additional dose of Vitamin C is needed for dogs that are recovering from an injury. Moreover, Vitamin C and E are also prescribed during pregnancy. Vitamin E benefits dogs with dry skin.
Dietery Supplements
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Many dietary supplements that contain minerals and vitamins can be purchased from your local grocery store or pet store. It is a good idea to add these to the daily food to prevent nutrition deficiencies.
What to Feed?
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Apart from homemade vegetarian food, ready-to-go food can be purchased from the local pet store or grocery store. These are available in both wet and dry forms. In addition to proper meals, these companies also sell a variety of vegetarian dog treats and biscuits. When purchasing dog food, ensure it is certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This agency certifies that pet food is suitable and will meet pets' daily nutrition needs. There are many brands, such as Pedigree, Vegepet and Purina, that offer vegetarian food that is AAFCO-certified. No matter what you feed your dog, be it homemade food or ready-to-go food, it is a good idea to mix them up. No single recipe can meet every nutrition requirement, and mixing them will result in a well-rounded diet for your dog. Monitor your dog's health by observing its skin, coat, waste and mood. If you find anything strange, consider switching to a new recipe or contacting your veterinarian.
Foods To Avoid
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Onion, onion powder, tomatoes, pepper and sugar must be strictly avoided. In addition, chocolate contains theobromine that can be toxic to dogs when given in large quantities. Fruit in small quantities is fine, but excessive fruit can cause loose stool and discomfort to the dog.
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References
Resources
- V-Dog: High Protein Vegan Food; 2005
- Donald Collins DVM, author of The Collins Guide to Dog Nutrition
- Vegan Dog Nutrition Association: Vegan Dog Foods; 2009
- Dog Owner's Guide: Building Blocks of Canine Fitness
- Doctor Foster and Smith: Nutriotion and Feeding Dos
- Organic Pet Digest: Homemade Dog Food Recipes
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO): Home
- Animal Welfare Board of India: How to Keep Your Dog Vegetarian
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
