Vegetarian Diets Can Be Healthy for Dogs

Most dog owners wouldn't even consider switching their pets to a vegetarian diet. After all, dogs are reputed to be carnivores, and are naturally inclined to use those sharp teeth for tearing meat and gnawing bones-- not de-stemming tomatoes and plucking berries off vines.

However, a balanced, well-planned vegetarian diet is actually a safe and healthy option for dogs.
Like humans-- and unlike cats-- dogs are natural omnivores. Because dogs and wolves have adapted to survive when meat is scarce or when injuries make hunting impossible, their bodies are able to completely digest plant matter and derive nutrition from it. Although they clearly prefer meat, wolves and all their descendants can survive indefinitely on a plant-based diet.

This means that vegetarian dog-owners can safely switch a dog from a conventional diet to a vegetarian one, without it significantly harming the dog's health. The ASPCA notes that a homemade diet comprised of only vegetables would be insufficient for a dog's nutritional needs, but vegetarian diets containing milk, egg, soy, vitamins, and grain can be completely adequate.

If you're hoping to switch your dog to a meatless diet, talk to your vet first to make sure your dog's individual needs don't necessitate the inclusion of meat. Ask for a recommendation for prepared vegetarian dog foods. Commercially available vegetarian dog foods are generally held to the same standards as others, meaning that the manufacturers have likely completed and AAFCO feeding trial to determine that dogs can thrive indefinitely on the diet. Check the label to ensure that your dog's food has been tested and approved by AAFCO.

AAFCO's feeding standards list the minimum and maximum ratios of key macronutrients and micronutrients for both adult dogs and those who are growing, pregnant, or nursing. A commercial vegetarian dog food should meet all the same nutritional criteria as a meat-based formula, but these key nutrients will come from plant-based sources such as peas, nuts, grains, beans, and vegetables, and from non-meat animal products such as egg and milk. If you have any question about whether or not your dog's food meets these criteria, give the manufacturer a call or look them up on the web. Most companies are forthcoming with AAFCO trial results and other information.

There's no harm in feeding your dog a vegetarian diet. It is a healthy, viable option for the vast majority of dogs. Of course, an omnivorous or carnivorous diet for dogs is also completely acceptable. Vegetarian dog foods can be expensive, and not necessarily within the budget of all dog owners. Other dog owners feed their dogs a meat-based diet because their dog's clear preference for meat. Even in these cases, occasional supplementation with vegetarian dog foods and veggie-based treats might be an acceptable option. A dog's natural adaptability makes him a good candidate for almost any balanced diet.