How to Have a Vegan Dog
27 October 2009
by M. Butterflies Katz, Contributing Writer for AnaiRhoads.org
AnaiRhoads.org -- The rescued dogs I’ve shared life with have all made remarkable transformations on the vegan diet, both in physical health and in temperament. For the committed vegan, it's a beautiful way to love your dog even more, to share with him or her- the joys of being cruelty-free.
A dog is by genus classified as a carnivore, but metabolically, they are omnivores. You can feel safe knowing that you can raise dogs on a vegan diet. In fact, with careful attention to their nutritional needs, (as you would give to your own), they actually thrive. The health of our dogs has surprised a few conventional vets. The vegan dogs I've cared for have lived to be 14-17 years of age.
Know that it is easy to feed dogs vegan. Even dogs who turn their noses up at vegan food when it is initially offered will change their mind in the next day or two; when they get hungry. And within days, they eat with gusto, like they never were carnivorous! So what does a vegan dog eat? They eat a varied diet consisting of:
Legumes: tempeh, tofu, well-cooked beans (pinto), lentils, split peas, sprouted/cooked chick peas or hummus, sprouted lentils (ground/blended), etc.
Well-cooked Whole Grains: brown rice, quinoa, millet, corn grits, whole grain bread or pasta, oats, etc.
Potatoes: white, but preferably sweet - seasoned and oiled for palatability (in small pieces and/or mashed, to make it more digestible)
Seitan (wheat-meat) made of gluten flour (high in protein)
Some Vegetables (in small pieces and/or mashed, to make it more digestible) (grated raw carrot/beet mixed in with food). Cooked carrots are important for Vitamin A.
Supplements:
Fruit in small amounts, if they will eat it.
With daily walks in the sunshine!
Approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the meal will consist of a protein source (from the paragraph above). About half of the meal can be made up of a variety of whole grains. The Vegan Dog Nutrition Association recommends the base of the meal to be comprised of soybeans, lentils, rice, oats and sweet potatoes. Cook up 2-3 days worth in a pot.
The remaining portion of the meal should be made up of raw and cooked vegetables, as well as supplemental items listed below. Meals should be served at room temperature or slightly warmed, along with a clean bowl of water. Vegan dogs are fed twice daily, and snacks, (portions are dependent on amount of exercise, as well).
Oil requirements can be met with small amount of avocado; a rich source of vitamins. (There is some disagreement over the issue of including avocado in a dog's diet because of reports of being toxic to dogs.) Most dogs love it. Another source to include is 1 tablespoon of tahini (sesame seed butter), which is a rich source of calcium. Their calcium requirements can also be met by adding finely chopped raw dark greens to their meal. You can supplement calcium or offer calcium-enriched soy milk. I mix some of the marketed moist food in with meals to help meet nutritional requirements, too. In the United States, quite a few companies produce a complete, plant-based, canned moist dog food. They are a superior in quality to most commercial dog foods, which contain slaughterhouse by-products and other unimaginable ingredients. My practice is to supplement the plant-based commercial food in with wholesome homemade meals.
To ensure they receive the necessary essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6, & 9), add 1 t. - 1 T. of a vegan oil blend that is balanced with Borage Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and Certified Organic Flax Oil. An alternative (though it's not as complete), would be flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, or 1 teaspoon of ground or soaked flax seeds. (This is beneficial for vegan humans as well). Flax or 'Total EFA' oil also helps joint function and coat health. There are many studies that confirm the powerful healing benefits of giving dogs flax seed oil. These oils are especially important for senior dogs.
Grated raw carrots, beets, sprouted lentils and other sprouts and/or barley grass powder are necessary for enzymes and fiber. The raw food additions are essential for vitality. Some authorities recommend adding digestive enzymes to a dog's diet and the particular kind that dogs need are: Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Cellulase and Lactase. Also, vegan acidophilus can be included.
Dogs manufacture their own vitamin C, but you can supplement the meal with 1/2-1 teaspoon of vitamin C powder (It MUST be Ester-C, non-acidic or buffered, to be gentle on the stomach). Holistic vets have recommended 1,000 milligrams twice daily for healing purposes. If your dog will eat bits of fruit and/or salad with dressing, that is wonderful. Some dogs will and some will turn their nose at such foods.
Taurine is an amino acid (naturally found in meat) that SHOULD be supplemented in a vegan dog's diet. Most dogs can live healthy lives without it, but there are some breeds or older, challenged dogs, that without taurine supplementation can develop cardiomyopathy (disorders of the heart). (Vegetarian dog specialists and most companies that sell vegan dog food recommend adding taurine to the diet of a vegan dog. It is inexpensive and a preventative measure.
L-carnitine, also an amino acid naturally found in meat, can be supplemented. A deficiency of this nutrient can also cause dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious illness in which the heart becomes large and flabby and can no longer function. This illness generally strikes middle-aged dogs who are deficient in L-carnitine or taurine because of breed, size, individual genetic makeup, or diet. L-carnitine is expensive and can be bought at your local health food store.
Please note that it is reported that onions and raw garlic are toxic to dogs. Onions can cause the oxidization of red blood cells and lead to anemia. Chocolate can be toxic to dogs and can even be fatal if consumed in large portions. Many animals love the taste of chocolate; however, chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine, which causes over-stimulation of an animal's body. All body systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and nervous system, are affected by theobromine. Also toxic to dogs are nutmeg, raisins and macadamia nuts. Because there are reports of avocado being toxic to dogs, even though I've raised all my dogs on avocado. I now give no more than 2 bites of avocado per day. Dogs cannot process excess salt so avoid too much salt.
Be gentle when switching dogs from an animal-based diet to a vegan diet. Any switch in diet can cause digestive disorders. It may take a few days for some dogs to even want to try this new cuisine and others will take to it right away. We've watched our dogs evolve from killing small animals to protecting and cuddling our pet rabbits! Vegan dogs are a wonderful species to get to know! Keep your companion animal's teeth brushed and clean. You can feel confident that on a balanced cruelty-free diet, your dog will have a sleek and clean body, a healthy coat, and plenty of energy to join you for walks in the country!
Related contacts for vegan pet foods, and other useful links, may be found here.
About M. Butterflies Katz:
"I am an unwavering vegan of 31 years. I authored Metamorphosis: Poems to Inspire Transformation by Vegan Poet and co-authored Incredibly Delicious; Recipes for a New Paradigm by Gentle World, which contains over 500 vegan recipes, information and inspiration. I am a veganic gardener and a vegan dog innovator. I write for The Vegan Voice and other magazines. I enjoy the safety, serenity, and solitude of our land in New Zealand, where I reside most of the year. I spend some time each year in the United States."
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