| More and more people are choosing a vegetarian diet | | | | and guidance about the benefits of a vegetarian diet |
| for their dogs. While you might expect that this | | | | for your dog. |
| choice is just about the person behind the dog and | | | | Some people may choose a vegetarian diet for their |
| their beliefs about vegetarianism, in fact there are | | | | dog to avoid the poor quality meat bi-products in |
| some benefits to a vegetarian diet for your dog. | | | | many dog foods. One does not need to be a |
| Some people who ate meat themselves even find | | | | veterinarian to know that meat bi-products, including |
| themselves feeding their dogs vegetarian diets for | | | | rendered meat products, are not a high quality food |
| health reasons. Others may have significant concerns | | | | source. Rendered slaughterhouse waste is often |
| about the poor quality of animal products in many | | | | found in pet foods under the labels of bi-products or |
| commercially produced, meat based pet foods and | | | | meal. While high quality meat based pet foods are |
| want to avoid feeding their pets bi-products of the | | | | available, they may be hard to find and expensive. |
| meat industry. | | | | You may not wish to cook or serve raw meat based |
| Dogs are naturally omnivorous. They do require a high | | | | foods to your dog, so the benefits of this type of |
| protein diet, but will thrive on one that relies on | | | | diet for your dog quickly become clear. |
| vegetarian protein sources. Legumes of all sorts, as | | | | More dogs than you might expect suffer from food |
| well as whole grains, can provide your dog with a | | | | allergies. Some dogs may require a special diet if they |
| healthy source of protein. If you are comfortable | | | | are allergic to meat products. Meat products may |
| feeding your dog cheeses and other dairy products, | | | | make them have issues with skin irritation and itching, |
| as well as eggs, maintaining your dogs good health on | | | | stomach problems or other health concerns. Many |
| vegetarian meals will be easy. Most vegetables are | | | | dogs do not tolerate poultry products well and |
| well tolerated by dogs, and you can choose between | | | | avoiding poultry meal and bi-products in your dogs |
| making your own vegetarian dog food and buying | | | | commercial food can be quite difficult. A vegetarian |
| commercial dog food. Dogs are not generally | | | | diet will solve those concerns, and allow you to avoid |
| particular about their food; however, as with any | | | | your pets allergens. You may not be surprised then |
| feeding change with your pet, a gradual transition is | | | | that at least some allergy free dog foods on the |
| preferable. | | | | market are vegetarian for just this reason. |
| One of the big benefits of feeding your dog a non | | | | Whether you choose to feed your dog a vegetarian |
| meat diet is your own comfort. If you eat vegetarian | | | | diet for their health or your own comfort, you can |
| yourself, you may feel uncomfortable purchasing | | | | know that they will be healthy and feel good eating |
| meat based dog food, and supporting the | | | | vegetarian. Some of the benefits humans enjoy from |
| slaughterhouse industry. While your dogs health and | | | | a this type of diet are also relevant benefits for your |
| well being is certainly your first priority, dogs can and | | | | dog. With recent scares about poor quality pet |
| do eat vegetarian. You can feel comfortable and | | | | foods, there is no time like today to protect your |
| confident that your dog will thrive and be healthy on | | | | dogs health with a vegetarian diet for your newly |
| vegetarian food. If a holistic veterinarian is available in | | | | vegetarian dog. |
| your area, they may be able to offer suggestions | | | | |