| The number of vegetarians worldwide is growing as | | | | enough of an essential nutrient, you could end up |
| more people realize the health, ethical, and | | | | with a sick pet. Dogs shouldn't eat too much in the |
| environmental benefits of going meat free. As more | | | | way of carbohydrates, either, since that can cause |
| of us get used to the idea of eating meals that | | | | digestive problems. Look for a good packaged |
| aren't meat based, we also wonder if meat is a good | | | | vegetarian dog food - ideally one recommended by |
| idea for our pets. After all, regular dog food is made | | | | your vet - if you're concerned about nutrition. |
| up mostly of by products and other unwanted meat | | | | Is your dog adjusting properly to a new vegetarian |
| industry leftovers. That industry has a huge | | | | diet? Signs that he or she isn't include hair loss, mood |
| environmental impact, and is responsible for some real | | | | and personality changes, digestive problems and a |
| ethical abuses. | | | | general sense of sluggishness. Remember that |
| However, we also have to pay attention to the fact | | | | vegetarian protein replacements are among the |
| that our pet dogs are naturally meat eaters. That can | | | | foods most likely to cause allergic reactions. |
| lead to worries that vegetarian dog food might cause | | | | However, many dogs are entirely happy eating a |
| health problems. Here's a look at vegetarian dogs, | | | | good vegetarian diet. |
| their health and how long they live, and what | | | | Remember that not all dogs respond well to |
| happens when you feed a meat free diet. | | | | vegetarian dog foods, and that you might have to |
| What is a vegetarian? Lots of people disagree, with | | | | feed your pet a meat based diet in the end. If you |
| some people including animal foods like eggs and milk | | | | don't want to do this, you should be careful about |
| in their diet, and some others claiming to be | | | | the pet you choose, and adopt only a dog that has |
| vegetarian even though they eat some meats! | | | | already successfully eaten vegetarian foods. If you'd |
| However, the most commonly accepted definition of | | | | like to make the switch to vegetarian dog food, buy |
| vegetarian is someone who doesn't eat meat of any | | | | only AAFCO tested food that meets all nutritional |
| kind, but does eat dairy products and eggs. | | | | standards. Look at large pet stores or feed stores to |
| Vegetarian dog foods generally include soy, grains, | | | | get the best selection. |
| fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, beans, lentils | | | | Another option, if your dog can't handle completely |
| and other legumes, and dairy products and eggs. | | | | vegetarian dog food, is to choose foods made from |
| Fortunately, dogs aren't obligate carnivores the way | | | | ethically produced meats. Responsibly sourced plant |
| cats are. They don't need vitamins that can only be | | | | foods, meat from animals raised under humane |
| found in meat. That means that, in theory, we can | | | | conditions, and other ethically produced ingredients |
| feed our dogs without it. However, getting that | | | | could help you avoid the problems that come with |
| nutritional balance right can be really tricky. After all, a | | | | feeding conventional dog food. |
| wild canid diet is highly varied. If your dog doesn't eat | | | | |