Noah inspires his 43k Instagram followers with regular updates on his vegan diet. Another celebrity dog, Kiwi, fills her feed with how her mom takes care of her with a nutritionally complete diet.
Veganism among dogs is no longer a rare occurrence. In fact, according to a study released in 2019, about 20 million US residents put their pets on a vegetarian or vegan diet.
If you are considering making your furry companion a vegan, this article will be an interesting read for you. We will explore the benefits and consequences of a completely vegetarian diet for dogs and whether it is a good idea for you to make the switch.
Pros
Reduced Carbon Footprint
If you are interested in a vegan diet for your dog, then the chances are that you are a vegan yourself. Even if you are not, online research or an expert article writer from paper writing can tell you all about the benefits of veganism. In essence, you will be contributing to a sustainable lifestyle by reducing the carbon footprint.
The same ethical reasons are applicable for your pets as well. After all, you are the ones buying the food for your pet, and your moral values can also be taken into account. If you have been following a vegan lifestyle, giving your dog vegetarian food will go well along with your values.
Your Pet’s Health
One of the major concerns for pet owners is whether a vegan diet can be harmful to your dogs. According to studies, you only need to be aware of any nutritional inadequacies. However, the same concerns exist even if you offer commercial meat-based diets to your dogs.
In addition, scientific research also points out that dogs are omnivores. In other words, they are able to eat both animal and plant-based food and remain healthy.
Relief From Allergies
A vegan diet also might be the cure for skin allergies experienced by your dog. In many cases, the skin allergies caused by fleas are caused due to meat protein present in chicken, lamb, or beef. By replacing it with a vegan diet, such issues can be eliminated.
Variety of Food Options
If you do some research, you can make an educated choice regarding what to include in your dog’s diet. The emerging vegan brands may make loud statements about the nutrients of the dog food they sell, yet, it’s not always true or sufficient for your pet.
You can also try a DIY approach to making dog food at home. In order to ensure that your dog gets all the necessary nutrients, you can create a balanced meal made of lentils for protein, veggies, rice, or other options. You have a variety of food options at your disposal and nutritional supplements to fill any gaps.
Cons
Room for Error
Although dogs can survive on a plant-based diet, it doesn’t mean that every dog can benefit from it. Vegan food might trigger different reactions in different dogs. While some dogs might be able to thrive on it, others might have allergies or nutritional difficulties.
Your pet may lack protein or have mineral deficiencies. Therefore, if you are not aware of the nutrients required for a dog’s diet, making your pet vegan might lead to further issues.
Commercial Vegan Food Can Be Expensive
Many commercial brands have released vegan food products for dogs that can make up for the missing nutrients. However, you should be careful in choosing the right one as was mentioned above.
Moreover, it can be difficult to find such food items. Alongside, the few suppliers who sell them also charge a very high price. This might force you to make homemade vegan food that can cater to the nutritional needs of your dog.
Challenging Adjustment Process
If your dog is already used to meat, it might be pretty tricky to get them accommodated to a vegan diet. It will take time to get them adapted to a different lifestyle.
It’s pretty much the same as with humans suddenly switching to a vegan from a meat-based diet. So, adopt the change in steps. A rapid transition to a completely different diet can be extremely stressful for your dog.
Finding the Balance
Just as for people, a vegan diet can be a quite healthy option. There are successful cases of dogs leading their happy lives on a vegan diet. However, that might not be the case with every dog. Your dog might have an entirely different set of requirements, and it might be best to stick to an omnivore food plan.
It is vital that you carefully monitor your pet’s nutritional requirements before employing drastic changes to their lifestyle.
For the people who are strongly committed to a vegan-based diet, it can be challenging to find a balance between your personal principles and the needs of your dog. If you are absolutely sure this is the path you want to take, you should always get expert advice. Avoid making such an important decision based on blogs, Instagram influencers, or YouTubers.
It is best to consult your vet and hear their opinion before changing your furry friend’s diet.
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