I understand dogs are not exactly meant to be vegetarian, but i am vegan and also want my dog to be at least vegetarian. What brand of food would you recommend? I have seen Natures Best and AvoDerm brands, but i would like recommendations from people who HAVE used the food or are vets and know a lot about nutrition for dogs.
I am not trying to "force it" on the dog. I feed her Science Diet but i want to also use vegetarian food because i feel guilty buying meat even though i don’t eat it.
I can understand completely how you feel…
Here is a site that sells only Vegan dog food.
Please note, I do not feed my dog vegan dog food but my sister does.
I do sympathize with the cruelty in which cattle are kept before being killed for food as well as the methods used in killing these animals. I am not against eating animals but I will not support specific companies who do not allow their livestock to live happy, healthy lives up until the point that they are killed.
This does not make a lot of sense to people, but it does to me 
I purchase meat from a local butcher shop who only sells meat from his own farm. They are free range and fed only organic feed. You can go and visit his farm to see how his animals are treated. The meat is better quality and you can rest assured that no animals were tortured so that you can eat it.
You can do a google search for free range organic meats and poultry in your area or go to your local butcher and ask about their practices.
I buy my meat from the above mentioned butcher and feed my dog a raw diet. He is very healthy and happy.
Best wishes!
ADD: I forgot to post the link! www.v-dogfood.com This is where my sister orders hers from online. You can also purchase it in stores, but there are none in the state where we live. She has a very healthy 8 year old rescued JRT
I have some Avoderm in my pantry and it contains meat and meat meal. No good dog food would be meatless.
ADD: Canines have been killing helpless wittle bunny wabbits for thousands of years, why should they stop now?
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It’s incredibly irresponsible trying to impose your values on your dog. Dogs need meat to be healthy! If you choose to be vegan that’s great for you, but your dog doesn’t have the same moral beliefs about killing animals for food. The best food for a dog is raw, but you don’t have to go that far, but for your dog’s sake, feed him a decent food!
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First off, vets do NOT know anything about nutrition! That’s why they recommend crap!
It’s not fair for your dogs to be eating vegan- it’s NOT healthy for them. They *need* meat, please…
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ETA> Science Diet sucks.
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Mutt
I fed my dogs vegetarian food for a long time… personally, I don’t think it’s healthy for them unless you supplement with raw meat for them. I was vegan as well.
I used the Nature’s Best vegetarian food. Just watch out with that… the food goes rancid very quickly! You don’t want to feed that to your dog!
There is also a website called wow-bow and they sell vegetarian dog food that you order from online.
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Anyone who knows a lot about dog nutrition will say the same thing: they need meat. I give mine veggies every other day, especially carrots and zuchini, but this is for treats, not main nutrition. It really is that simple.
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Ditto what Walking Lady said……
get real for your dog’s sake.
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NONE. If you cruelly force your dog to be a vegetarian, you are abusing your dog. I mistakenly bought Newman’s Own once thinking it would be good but my dog became weak and tired within days. When I read the ingredients I was outraged. She went right back on Science Diet and again leaps tall buildings in a single bound.
Dogs are carnivores, with the odd grazing in the grass to settle their stomachs. If you want a vegan pet to satisfy your morally superior needs, get a dwarf goat.
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I don’t think its all that healthy to keep a dog on a straight Vegetarian diet. Dogs weren’t meant to eat vegetables they get there supplements and everything they need from meat. Dog can live there whole life without any veggies. So I don’t think that is a healthy choice.
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How ridiculous.
If I dont like swimming does that mean I should try to stop my goldfish being in water?
Of course not, it is natural for fish to need water as it is for dogs to need meat.
You’ve chosen your diet with your own free will, fair enough, but don’t inflict it on your dog.
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Your best bet is to get in touch with a nutritionist and ask.
I don’t think it is good for them at all, and although you have your ideals which are admirable, I think if you take a carnivore to live with you then you have to go with what is their natural diet.
I wouldn’t ask a vet about nutrition to be honest. Very few have studied it to that depth, and you are going to need some very knowledgable advice to be sure you are getting it right.
No I haven’t used it, but I don’t think I have been unhelpful either, and I do understand your views for you and your family. just not for your dog.
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i don’t suggest u make your dog a vegetarian. becuz the are natural meet eaters and it would be like making a loin eat some left over fruit and veggies. it can make them sick if there little tummies cant handel it.
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Dogs are carnivores, they need meat. If you don’t give your dog what it needs then it will be malnourished. That’s not fair to your dog. I think if you’re not willing to give it what it needs then you shouldn’t have one.
I’m a vegetarian myself actually, but what you’re saying still sounds ridiculous.
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What is it with you people? Dogs are carnivores. They’re supposed to eat meat. Would you try and make your dog breath methane b/c it made you feel better? How would this not be animal abuse any less than it would be to force a herbivore to eat meat?
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It’s actually best for dogs to eat what’s natural…meaning they should have meat in their diets.
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I’m a big fan of Natural Balance. My dogs do the potato and duck formula. Bulldogs are high maintanance but they are the best dogs to have. I have tried other products but this one is the best for my dogs.
Natural Balance® Vegetarian Formula was designed for dogs with allergies caused by an intolerance to common food ingredients such as meat or dairy products. Our Vegetarian Formula provides adult dogs with the same essential nutrients found in diets with meat as the protein source. Natural Balance® Vegetarian Formula is for all breeds of adult dogs.
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Natural Balance website
dude dogs are not herbivores they do not have the long digestive tracts of herbivores they have short tracts as they are carnivores and there teeth are made to eat meat a dog CANNOT get the right nutrition from just plants they only eat grass to settle there stomachs when they are sick.
good dog food:
blue buffalo- holistic dog chow
no corn wheat or soy proteins
no animal byproducts
includes fruits and veggies
chicken, fish & lamb are the first ingredients
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zoology student studying animal science, genetics, breeding. ect
Then there should be no guilt involved if it isn’t for you to eat. You’re not buying it for you, but for the pet that you own, and that pet does require meat in their diet.
By feeding it vegetarian food, you are indeed forcing it on the dog to eat something that isn’t what it requires.
Do your dog a favor and keep feeding it something that contains meat and forget about the vegetarian diet for it.
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You’d feel more guilty knowing that your dog’s nutritional needs are not being met because of your personal belief system. Dogs NEED meat, Cats NEED meat. Their bodies are different than ours. I used to be vegetarian, myself (and I had tons of health problems then), I know what it does to the body when you’re not getting the right balance of nutrients. You can go without meat and do just fine. Your dog, really, can not. You WILL be "forcing it" on the dog. Not only does the dog need meat, he WANTS it, too. As others have mentioned, the Science Diet needs to be replaced with a good food, too.
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I can understand completely how you feel…
Here is a site that sells only Vegan dog food.
Please note, I do not feed my dog vegan dog food but my sister does.
I do sympathize with the cruelty in which cattle are kept before being killed for food as well as the methods used in killing these animals. I am not against eating animals but I will not support specific companies who do not allow their livestock to live happy, healthy lives up until the point that they are killed.
This does not make a lot of sense to people, but it does to me
I purchase meat from a local butcher shop who only sells meat from his own farm. They are free range and fed only organic feed. You can go and visit his farm to see how his animals are treated. The meat is better quality and you can rest assured that no animals were tortured so that you can eat it.
You can do a google search for free range organic meats and poultry in your area or go to your local butcher and ask about their practices.
I buy my meat from the above mentioned butcher and feed my dog a raw diet. He is very healthy and happy.
Best wishes!
ADD: I forgot to post the link! http://www.v-dogfood.com This is where my sister orders hers from online. You can also purchase it in stores, but there are none in the state where we live. She has a very healthy 8 year old rescued JRT
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Why should your dog be vegetarian just because you are a vegan?
You want a plant eating pet? Get a rabbit. Stop trying to force YOUR personal beliefs on your dog. If there is no medical reason for it stick to a MEAT based kibble. There is NO excuse lady, I know vegans who have their dogs on raw Prey model meat diets. If they can do THAT the least you can do is to feed your dog appropriately.
Sweetheart if you feel guilty buy meat based kibble you are thinking about this way to hard. How would you like it if someone forced you to eat meat?
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Dogs NEED meat to be healthy. I understand you feel uncomfortable with animals being abused in order for your dog to eat. You have to make a decision here. You either keep your dog and feed him kibble, or you give him away and get an appropriate pet such as a goat or rabbit or something. You shouldn’t have got a dog if you don’t agree with their diet. It’s just not fair.
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it is not that good for them, but natural balance has one. also stop feeding hill’s science diet, they use too much filler and cheap stuffs in the food
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Science diet is full of grains and isn’t great for your dog.
Isn’t not that dogs "are not exactly meant to be vegetarian" it’s that they are CARNIVORES and NEED meat for protein, calories, etc.
Do NOT put your dog on a vegetarian diet as he will become unhealthy and have more health problems than it’s worth.
Not to be mean but if you can’t handle buying products with meat give up the dog and get a parrot.
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Betty
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