Ranga Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I'm not wanting to create an angry debate about this topic, but apart from health issues ... Why feed a vegetarian diet to a dog when they are carnivores? Interested in others thoughts :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I wouldn't do it unless there was a serious medical condition that required such a diet. I am all for an individuals right to choose their own path, but I don't think it is fair to push beliefs onto a dog. If dogs evolve (devolve) to have teeth like a cow I might consider it :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Dogs are omnivores and can do well on a vegetarian diet. IME Most people who feed a veg diet are veg themselves and therefore do not want to partake in the purchasing of animal products, so ethical reasons. Disclaimer, my dogs eat meat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 There is much debate on whether dogs are omnivores or obligate carnivores, however I think it is safe to say they are not herbivores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Sorry, I should have said they have a carnivorous bias, but have adapted to be able to live as omnivores, that's what I was getting at, they aren't strictly carnivorous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazydoglady99 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Interestingly.. some of the oldest living dogs are fed vegan diets.. (Google) The book 'give your dog a bone' by vet Ian Billinghurst changed the way I think about and feed my dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I think that as you need to steam, mash or puree veggies so the dogs can extract the nutrients from them, give us a clue as to their primary diet. That and the way their teeth are shaped. I am not having a go at anyone and I do find the topic fascinating :) My husky is fed prey model raw, but loves the odd bit of veggie as a treat and now that my bloody mulberry tree is fully ladened with fruit he is pigging out on them which makes for interesting purple poos :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Sorry, I should have said they have a carnivorous bias, but have adapted to be able to live as omnivores, that's what I was getting at, they aren't strictly carnivorous. As Yonjuro said, there is some current scientific debate on this. They may in fact be strict carnivores. More research needs to be done. Saying some of the oldest living dogs were fed a vegetarian diet is the same as people saying their grandparents lived to 100 and smoked every day of their life. Doesn't mean a lot. Most people who feed vegetarian diets to their animals are vegetarian or vegan themselves and are putting their own beliefs on their animals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 You could feed a dog a vego diet and feed mainly protein still. You have eggs, soy, cottage & ricotta cheese, legumes etc. Vegan is slightly harder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Ok well ill wait for the research then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I think if a person is a vegetarian or vegan and will not feed a dog meat, then they shouldn't have one. They should have herbivores instead. If it is due to a medical issue then I have no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I think if a person is a vegetarian or vegan and will not feed a dog meat, then they shouldn't have one. They should have herbivores instead. If it is due to a medical issue then I have no problem. My thoughts exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazyWal Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I think if a person is a vegetarian or vegan and will not feed a dog meat, then they shouldn't have one. They should have herbivores instead. If it is due to a medical issue then I have no problem. My thoughts exactly Yep agree 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 (edited) It has always been the case that a plant based diet could not provide complete proteins to a dog. Until now that is, enter quinoa. I don't get why you'd do this to an animal clearly designed to eat meat. You want a vegetarian pet, then nature provides for those. Edited November 11, 2014 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I think if a person is a vegetarian or vegan and will not feed a dog meat, then they shouldn't have one. They should have herbivores instead. If it is due to a medical issue then I have no problem. My thoughts exactly Yep agree 100% Me three! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I think if a person is a vegetarian or vegan and will not feed a dog meat, then they shouldn't have one. They should have herbivores instead. If it is due to a medical issue then I have no problem. My thoughts exactly Yep agree 100% Me three! Me four. Horrible Herbert is one year old an Thursday. He is adamant he is an ominvore :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Number five raising her hand here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranga Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 The reason I raised this subject is that my neighbour has a dog with no health issues ... All good. It is a working breed (BC/Cattle cross). For no apparent reason the dog is on a vegetarian diet This animal has always been 'lazy' and now seems very lethargic. It looks healthy (apart from being overweight) i.e. shiny coat, bright eyes, and is only about six years old. The owner is not a vegetarian, and so I don't understand the purpose in not feeding the dog meat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Weird that it is overweight - poor dog probably get lots of bad treats like potato chips etc. I just don't understand some people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Ronin caught and ate his third bird this morning (2 this month). I am pretty sure he believes he is an obligate carnivore The cheeky bugger then conned the Mrs into giving him his brekky as she didn't see the kill. Fair play to him though, he has been hunting these doves for a while now and slept outside of which I am sure was so he could be up at dawn to hunt. He then slept most of the day! Is like a bloody wildlife doco in my backyard - Hunt, eat then sleep. He's taking this whole prey model raw diet to another level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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