Can Dogs Be Vegetarian?

Vegetarianism is becoming far more popular as an alternative diet these days, but what happens if a vegetarian wants their dog to stay away from meat as well? Is it possible? Well, basically, yes it is. Dogs are omnivores, which means they naturally eat a diet composed of meat, fruits and vegetables. Cats, on the other hand, are considered to be carnivores, meaning they eat primarily meat, and therefore can't easily eat a diet without meat.

Before switching a dog to a vegetarian diet, a trip to the veterinarian is essential, just to make sure the dog is healthy and can withstand a change in diet. It's a lot easier to start a puppy on a vegetarian diet so that their system will start out without meat. As any human vegetarian already knows, it's vital that the diet include a correct balance of the necessary vitamins and minerals. Dogs actually require calcium in their diets as well as other minerals like phosphorus and iodine. Vitamins like vitamin A and B1 are also important. In the wild, mammals, especially dogs, eat the meat from their prey, but also chew on the bones for calcium.

When developing a vegetarian diet for dogs, remember to include a nice variety of foods so that the dog will get a healthy balance of the essential nutrients. Since dogs enjoy yeast, which includes B vitamins, sprinkling a little over food is nutritious, as well as making it tasty. Dogs need to have plenty of protein, vitamins and minerals and carbohydrates, just like people. If you switch a meat-eating dog to a vegetarian diet and then notice problems such as vomiting, skin problems or diarrhea, take the dog to the vet to make sure it's not allergic to any of the foods you've been feeding it.

Most cooked food can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer, or served warm, depending on the preference of the dog. It's your dog, so you'll know what it prefers to eat. Dogs enjoy vegetables and cereals, but make sure not to include too much that might be difficult to digest. Thoroughly cooking vegetables will help to break down the fibers and make the veggies easier to digest. Snacks like sugary cereals, candy and cakes should be left out of the diet, because just like people, sugar has some bad effects like weight gain and other diseases.

Some examples of foods are cheese, carrots, peas, eggs, soy protein, beans, whole wheat bread, yeast, brown rice and don't forget the chewy rawhide bones to keep their teeth strong. It might take a bit getting used to, for you and the dog, but with patience and a little trial and error, your dog can become a healthy vegetarian.