Tracie is a native Pennsylvanian and a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, from which she received a Bachelor's degree in English. Besides reading and writing, her interests extend to running, animals, shopping, fine art, wine, and obscure music. She currently resides in Altamonte Springs, Florida, a small suburb of Orlando.
Overview
Many pet owners who adhere to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle want their dogs to follow in their footsteps. Studies have shown that several diseases associated with meat consumption, such as cancer, heart problems and allergies, can also manifest themselves in meat-eating dogs. But a vegetarian diet can solve these and other health problems regardless of your dog's age, breed or health.
Benefits
Many of the health problems that afflict dogs can be alleviated and even solved with a vegetarian diet. By excluding meat from your dog's diet, your dog can enjoy healthier teeth and gums, a shinier coat, healthy skin, improved digestion and more energy. In fact, the longer a dog is on a vegetarian diet, the more his health problems will decrease.
Transition
If your dog isn't currently on a vegetarian diet, you can begin the transition by giving her a vegetarian treat a few times a week. After two or three weeks, combine 3/4 of her regular food with 1/4 vegetarian food. Continue increasing the amount of vegetarian food in her diet each month. This transition process will likely take several months and allows your dog ample time to adjust to the new food. To persuade your dog, consider adding seasonings, such as soy milk, olive oil or tomato sauce, to the food.
What to Feed Your Dog
If you choose to put your dog on a vegetarian diet, you need to know what you can feed him. Acceptable foods include cheese, eggs, soy protein, lentils, beans, vegetables, fruit, bread and rice. Many companies, such as Natural Balance and Wenaewe, offer vegetarian options if you choose not to make homemade meals for your dog.
Misconceptions
It is a common misconception that dogs need to eat meat. While they are technically carnivores, most domesticated dogs are actually omnivores, eating both meat and plant products. Dogs, like humans, do not subsist on meat alone and can actually thrive on a plant-based diet. However, it is important that your dog's diet include an appropriate amount of protein that she would otherwise get from meat products.
Warning
You must carefully monitor your dog's health while he is eating a vegetarian diet to ensure that no new health problems develop. Most dogs adjust quite well and thrive, but it is not uncommon for vegetarian dogs to get urinary tract infections. This is because vegetarian food will make your dog's urine more alkaline, which increases his vulnerability to a urinary tract infection.
