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Vegetarian diet for dogs – a hotly debated topic

hund frisst einen kürbishund frisst einen kürbis

 

In the most recent surveys on diets, 11% of all people living in Austria said they ate a vegetarian diet. 2% even live as vegans, i.e. they do without any animal products. The same applies to both types of diet: the trend is rising. With the widely perceived abandonment of meat for energy, it's no wonder that our four-legged friends’ food is also under the microscope. 

The reasons why people prefer to feed their dogs a meat-free diet range from ethical motives to climate and environmental awareness to intolerances and food allergies. Dogs are known to be omnivores. That means, theoretically, the four-legged friends would have to manage with a vegetarian menu – right? 

hund sitze vor hundefutter dosenhund sitze vor hundefutter dosen

Omnivores with a tendency towards meat

Our pooches have come a long way. Although descended from wolves, dogs have developed both mental and physical dispositions alongside humans that wolves lack. One of these is the enzyme amylase, which is virtually absent in Canis lupus in forests. Our dogs produced more of it in the course of domestication so that they could better digest the starchy food leftovers from us humans. And yes, theoretically our four-legged friends can thus utilise energy from cereals, for example. However, the anatomy of our dogs still very clearly shows that their dentition and gastrointestinal tracts were originally intended for meat. Last but not least, the hunting instinct of dogs reveals that they are so-called carni-omnivores – omnivores with a tendency towards meat. 

Numerous studies have already dealt with the topic of dogs and vegetarian nutrition. There is no disagreement. While in the majority of the studies the test subjects did well on a vegetarian or even vegan diet, some vets urgently warn against deficiencies caused by poor nutrition. From this we can conclude: As long as I provide my animal with all the vital nutrients, I will enable it to live a healthy life. 

Excursion into the Austrian Animal Welfare Act

The Austrian Animal Welfare Act stipulates that anyone keeping or caring for an animal must ensure that it is fed in a manner appropriate to the species and with all substances essential for life:

§ 13 TSchG Principles of animal care

(2) Any person caring for an animal shall ensure that the space available, the freedom of movement, the soil conditions, the structural equipment of the accommodation and housing facilities, the climate, in particular light and temperature, the care and nutrition as well as the opportunity for social contact are appropriate to its physiological and ethological needs, taking into account the species, age and level of development, adaptation and domestication of the animals.

§ 17 TSchG Feeding and watering

(1) The type, nature, quality and quantity of feed must be appropriate to the species, age and needs of the animals. The feed must be of such a nature and composition that the animals can satisfy their inherent need for activity associated with eating.

Can you feed a dog a vegetarian diet? 

Yes, you can. As long as you make sure that the food is nutritionally balanced and covers the full range of necessary nutrients, it is possible. At the same time, this entails the risk that this might not be the case. In particular, dogs get most of their proteins, but also various vitamins such as vitamin B12, vitamin D and minerals, from meat. It requires a very good knowledge of the exact nutritional requirements as well as the nutritional physiology of the meat-free options. Even if you buy vegetarian dog food from a retailer, you should always make sure that all the information declared on the packaging really covers your pet's individual needs. 

Furthermore, you should only consider changing the diet to vegetarian or vegan for healthy adult dogs. Some dogs are allergic to certain proteins. A vegetarian diet can actually help here. 
However, the general consensus of veterinary medicine is clearly against meatless diets for pregnant or lactating bitches and puppies. The increased energy requirements of animals in this phase of life must be met without fail, as possible developmental disorders due to deficiencies can have irreparable consequences. 

Important steps before switching to vegetarian dog food

Talk to your trusted vet about the planned change in feed. In addition, it is a good idea to seek veterinary advice from someone who specialises in nutritional advice. There they can directly assist you with professional advice, answer questions about portion calculation, food and deficiency symptoms. 

Inform yourself extensively! Vegetarian or vegan recipes from the internet are not sufficient assurance that your dog will get all the vital proteins, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and the like. Some foods are toxic to dogs. Your pet will have preferences in compatible foods. Test what your dog likes in small quantities before you present him with a fait accompli. If the food switch has worked, you should still have your pooch examined regularly by a professional. This is the only way to make sure that everything is really in order. 

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Sustainable alternatives to meat-free dog food 

If your dog does not have to give up meat for reasons of intolerance or food allergy, there are sustainable alternatives to a vegetarian diet. Organic meat that comes from verified, responsible, species-appropriate farming sets an example against factory farming. That's why we at DOG'S LOVE only put certified products from organic, species-appropriate farming into our food. 

Still too much meat? Then take a look at our Dog's for Future line. Here, the protein of the black soldier fly is transformed into a light, easily digestible complete meal in a resource-saving way.