Vegan Diets for Dogs

Many people live on vegetarian or vegan diets, avoiding meat, and in the case of vegans, avoiding all animal products including dairy. Some even put their dogs on the same or a similar diet. Though a vegan diet may be beneficial for some dogs, it can also lead to malnutrition and other problems if not done properly. People who are considering putting their dog on a vegan diet should do careful research and consult their veterinarian.

Advantages

A vegan diet for a dog can be helpful to more than just the dog. A diet with low or no animal protein is considered better for the environment because it reduces atmospheric gases associated with animal raising. It is also cruelty free because nothing had to die in order to produce the food. It is also possible for dogs to have an allergy to certain types of meats or meat byproducts, though this is rare. In these cases, a vegan diet can clear up allergic reactions and make for a healthier pet.

Disadvantages

Historically, dogs have been carnivores, or meat eaters. To stay healthy, they rely on vitamin B-12, which is rarely present in non-meat sources. Dogs also have a high need for calcium and protein in the diet -- in fact, higher than in humans. Though you can get these nutrients from non-animal foods, the quantity needed to provide adequate amounts for your dog is fairly large. It's also possible that a dog used to a meat-based diet won't like the taste of a vegan diet; in this case it may lose weight and take in fewer nutrients because it eats less.

Home Made Vegan Food

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has minimum standards for nutrition in dogs. The amount of each of these nutrients depends on whether the dog is a puppy or is full grown. If you are planning to feed your dog a homemade vegan diet, you must ensure all these nutritional requirements are met, or your dog could experience health problems and weight loss. Protein and fat are the hardest nutrients to get into a vegan diet. If you find vegan dog food recipes, make sure nutritional information is included and meets all AAFCO standards.

Commercial Availability

A number of pre-made vegan pet foods are available on today's market. The availability continues to grow as vegan diets, once thought taboo for pets, become more widespread. Available brands include Evolution Diet, Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula, Benevo Duo Vegan Dog Food (canned), PetGuard Organic Vegetarian Vegan Entree for Dogs, V-dog Crunch and Natural Life Vegetarian Dog Formula. The Vegan Dog Nutrition Association has a complete list of available foods along with nutritional information.