| The Vegetarian Dog | | | | 1) Cheese, eggs, nuts, textured soy protein, |
| Many dog owners are looking for a healthy way | | | | cooked lentils or beans, tofu, seeds (sunflower, |
| to feed their dog. One way to do that is with a | | | | sesame). Feed several of these at one meal to |
| vegetarian diet. If you are already following a | | | | get a good balance of amino acids. |
| vegetarian diet yourself, feeding your dog in the | | | | 2) Raw or cooked vegetables and raw or dried |
| same way should be simple. If you are not a | | | | fruit. |
| vegetarian, but wish you dog to be, the following | | | | 3) Brown rice or whole grain bread. |
| are some simple suggestions on how to do just | | | | You may also want to mix a teaspoon of |
| that. | | | | vegetable oil in your dog's food to provide some |
| Dogs have a higher protein requirement than | | | | of the essential fatty acids that he needs. |
| humans. Although no optimum protein level is | | | | Foods to avoid |
| known, a vegetarian diet can meet the standard | | | | Macadamia nuts, Grapes or raisins, and raw onions |
| with a variety of legumes or other foods. There | | | | should all be avoided as they can be toxic when |
| are many people who practice a vegetarian diet | | | | ingested in large enough quantities. Chocolate and |
| and are as healthy as those who do not. There is | | | | other caffeine products should also be avoided as |
| no reason that dogs cannot follow a similar diet. | | | | it can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous |
| To Vegetarians, the following is nothing new, but | | | | systems. |
| for everyone else, a little common sense and | | | | Puppies that are weaned can be fed four times a |
| plenty of variety will make nutrient deficiencies | | | | day rotating the cereal meal and the later meal |
| unlikely and make your vegetarian dog healthy | | | | ingredients. Once they reach eight months to a |
| and happy. | | | | year old, you can cut back to feeding them three |
| A vegetarian dog would probably do better with | | | | meals a day and then down to two meals a day. |
| multiple feedings as opposed to the one feeding | | | | If your dog has been brought up on a regular |
| with dry dog food. Larger vegetarian dogs should | | | | meat diet, make the changeover to a vegetarian |
| be fed twice a day while smaller breeds may | | | | diet gradual. If your dog is very active there may |
| need to be fed three or four smaller meals | | | | be a problem of bulk to energy. Make sure you |
| spread throughout the day. | | | | consult your veterinarian to ensure that sufficient |
| Hint: Dogs do not get worms from drinking milk. | | | | energy can be obtained from the amount of food |
| Diarrhea or constipation is common due to your | | | | given. |
| dog's inability to break down lactose. | | | | Milk alone may not be an adequate source of |
| Wholegrain cereals like muesli or Shredded Wheat | | | | calcium for puppies. Rapidly growing dogs of |
| in milk would be good for your dog's first meal. | | | | heavy breeds particularly need a high calcium |
| The later meal should be some combination of | | | | intake, please consult your veterinarian if you |
| each of the following groups: | | | | have any questions or concerns about your dog's |
| Protein | | | | vegetarian diet. |