I want to make my pup a vegetarian/vegan...any suggestions?

16 years ago

hi all....i just adopted a 2 month old pup...mix of german shepherd and a lab...hes completely adorable n keeps us up al nite (poop training is in the process)...apart from al other issues my major issue is that I want to make my dog a vegetarian jus as we are...i knw it might sound absurd to many of ul but its of huge importance to me...also i don wana jeopardise his health...

I bought him vegetarian dog food but tha is adult dog food and not for puppies...hes also started having a loose/flowing poop after startin this diet...kinda like diarrhoea...is this bcoz he is gettin adjusted?...

does anyone have any good suggestions regargin any healthy vegan pup food..or as to how to make his diet more protien rich so he doesnt miss out on anything..

all suggestions r welcome...plz help...

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Comments (60)

cindyxeus
16 years ago
Very very bad idea.
sylviatexas1
16 years ago
I wouldn't attempt this;

if the consumption of animal products is that much an issue for you, then I'm with handymac-

you need a pet whose system is geared to thrive on vegetable material, like a bunny.

(They can be trained to use a litter box, they can't climb or jump fences, & they never bark!)

It isn't fair to a dog, whose ancestors hunted game for food, to try to adapt him to a vegetarian or vegan diet.

It's just too risky for the dog's health.
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khushboo
Original Author
16 years ago
thank you everyone for ur suggestions..as suggested by many of ul I hav consulted my vet n am going to carry on according to his instructions as to feeding him pulses n lentils n nuts to complete his diet...also m continuing researching the net for nemore tips...
I see that my idea has offended many of ul..so jus to clear out im not very young but m matured enough to take good care of my pet...
1st of al-a dog is not a carnivore but a omnivore jus lik humans..so he is as flexible as humans are..
2ndly-a dog is a creature of habits...if fed wid healthy balanced food..his system is bound to adapt to it..immaterial whether the source is animal or plant

3rdly-people who say tha they wudnt force their dog to bend according to their will r just not truthful enough....u surely dont mind shoving grade k meat down his throat which causes so many health problems of its own, or take away his water or food according to ur own convenience or make his schedule according to urs,if everything else works according to you then why the bias for vegetarian food.....Its al about how you see it...

I m jus gona raise him as if its my baby...n im sure il do everythin to keep him healthy...n wid al our luv n care..he will grow as healthy as any other pet or maybe better...

thanks again for al ur advice...i realy appreciate it...
Elly_NJ
16 years ago
Pulses n lentils n nuts.

Just like wolves.
spiritual_gardner
16 years ago
"1st of al-a dog is not a carnivore but a omnivore just like humans..so he is as flexible as humans are.."

O.K., I am TOTALLY confused. HOW are dogs just like humans???? WHERE does the flexibility come in here????

Did something happen to the genetics of dogs, that took a million or so years to develop (give or take a few years) over night that I missed????

Did wolves (the closest cousin of the domestic dog) suddenly change and decide that they wanted a salad for dinner instead of a nice plump rabbit????

When did conventional wisdom change that indicates that dogs and wolves need meat just because of the way they are put together by the Almighty?

What did I miss out on here????

Please clarify, in WHOLE words for those of us who don't understand parts of a word.

Thanks!

SG
Lillie1441
16 years ago
Well,I hope your "baby" makes it through it's first year with no ill effects! Dogs are not humans,no matter how hard some people try to make them so.
I hope your Vet didn't give you the 1,2 and 3 bits of information?? If so,I hope you will look for a new Vet that at least has some training in canine nutrition! I really feel sorry for your defenseless little puppy that has only you to depend on for his food!
beegood_gw
16 years ago
You said dogs are omnivores meaning they eat both meat and vegetable matter. Since you know that why are you not giving him some of both.?Nature meant it that way for dogs . Some of each.
dobesrule
16 years ago
"3rdly-people who say tha they wudnt force their dog to bend according to their will r just not truthful enough....u surely dont mind shoving grade k meat down his throat which causes so many health problems of its own,"

My dog eats organic foods not some grade k meat. Diets that are high in grains or carbs also cause health problems with dogs you might also want to look into that while you are researching.

Lisa
runsnwalken
16 years ago
No! DO NOT DO this.

I have vegan friends and though am not one myself, learned more about healthy eating from them. HOWEVER your dog is litterily a wolf! He can if not neutered breed with a wolf/or coyotes dingos,ect. and produce hybrid crosses through the wild canine!

A Humans closest animal realitive is a chimp, there's even talk we could breed with chimps and produce hybrid offspring ourselves that would be called Humanzee's, however unlike wolves and dogs/ect it is unsure wheather the hybrids could breed with either side because we are a little further apart from chimps Then dogs are to wolves BUT NOT BY MUCH. WE just don't see that however because local laws prevent any mixing of primate and human cells or coning.

Open your dogs mouth, them look into your own, you will see a BIG difference between yourself and your dog in terms of teeth structure and jaws. Then go to the local DNR and see all the animal skulls,we have flat molars designed for eating tough roots and fruit along with bugs and leaves. its only very very resently that human have eaten what we do today and even more rescent to feed dogs or even wolves at zoos things like dog food.

Maybe sad to say if you want to make your dog a human you should give your dog up and buy a bunny, bunnies eat more like we should through grasses aren't what apes eat though, meat isn't good for people but NOT feeding it to curtain pets is cruelty.
sue36
16 years ago
I would consult the nutrition department of a veterinary college. You are responsible for the life of this puppy. His brain development, growth, etc., could be compromised if he is fed an improper diet.

I look at it this way, you have the right to choose whatever lifestyle you wish for yourself. But do you have the right to choose a lifestyle for someone (or something) else that may be detrimental to it? I believe you should provide the best diet you can afford for your pet. Vegetarian/vegan may be healthier than some of the crap pet foods out there. But is it healthier than the best pet foods that include meat? IMO, you should do what is best for the DOG, not what best satisfies you.
oceanna
16 years ago
Dog an omnivore? No, a dog is a carnivore. This is a scientific fact.

Use your head. If a dog is an omnivore, you should be able to post pictures here of wolves/dogs grazing vegetation in fields. Please post those here for us.

Then tell us why your dog's teeth look different from yours. Tell us why the dog's stomach acid is about ten times stronger than yours. Tell us why he digests his food so much faster than you do and what that implies. Tell us why his jaw and neck muscles are so much more powerful than yours. Explain to us about the lateral movement of your dog's lower jaw compared to yours. Tell us about the difference between a bear's teeth and a dog's teeth. Tell us why the dog has a relatively undeveloped caecum and short smooth colon compared to humans. Explain to us about the enzymes a dog produces versus those necessary to digest vegetation. What about amylase? How about the bacteria needed to digest vegetation? Tell us about that.

If you can't do that, then you might want to seriously consider that the humane thing to do is to feed your puppy as the carnivore he is -- regardless of what you may have read on the Internet.

You know, somewhere along the line it should dawn on each of us that we're not smarter than God/Mother Nature.
runsnwalken
16 years ago
True True True

As I've said before buy a bunny, its much better IMO if you want to push your values onto your pet.
kartwheel
16 years ago
Even if you wish your dog to be a vegetarian, it would self centered and abusive to raise the dog that way while s/he's growing. For a shepard/lab, that would be the first 3 years.
Gina_W
16 years ago
Dogs are opportunistic carnivores. Look at their teeth. Look at a diagram of a dog's intestinal tract. Will dogs eat anything? Yes - that's a survival mechanism. That doesn't mean you should feed them just anything.

Nuts? My dog loves nuts. Guess what - they come out whole in his poop - not digested, indeed rejected by his own system.

You are putting your pet in danger. I agree if you want to have a pet that doesn't need to eat meat, get one.
northy
16 years ago
Aside from the ethics of this decision, I would be very concerned for the long term health issues related to a diet high in glutens (like corn and wheat) and soy -the exact ingredients so many of us seek to avoid when selecting food for our dogs. Especially as the puppy is a shepherd/lab mix: two breeds with high rates of hip, joint and skin issues. I hope your consulting vet is very well versed in developmental nutrition and has extensive experience in pet vegetarian diets.

On a side note:
I had this discussion about a year ago when a friend wanted her jack russell with skin problems to go vegan -just like her. Her vet strongly recommended against it as he was also under a year old, but she went ahead. It was disaster as the root of his skin problems was gluten intolerance. She is now feeding him a raw diet.

She purchased: Evolution "Gourmet Pasta" Vegan Dog Food Kibble. A high 'quality', high priced vegan food.

As there has been many discussions recently about assessing dog food quality. I thought you all would find this interesting. This is it's ingredient list:

Whole Grain Ground Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Soybean Oil, Corn Syrup, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Brewers Yeast, Tomato Pomace, Dried Potato Flakes, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, DL Methionine, Kelp Meal, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Garlic, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Streptococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Protease, Amylase, Cellulose, L-Tryptophan, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Mineral Oil, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Yeast Fermentation Solubles), Yeast Extract, Vitamins (Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Carrots, Inositol, Vitamin C, L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract

There is not a snowballs chance in hell I would feed this to my dog. Not that he would eat it. The first 3 ingredients (wheat, corn, soy) are common, cheap fillers. Corn sryup (a sweetener) is another red flag. Salt? Do dogs need salt? I know they like it. Perhaps it was added to help them palate this.
blue_velvet_elvis
16 years ago
You are a human and as such an omnivore. Dogs are carnivores. That means they are meat eaters. They get thier nutrients from meat. It is a strange idea to remake what animals have been doing since the dawn of time to make them more what? politically correct?

Rehome the dog and get a rabbit.
pkguy
16 years ago
Dogs like wolves won't actively seek out vegetative material to eat unless they absolutely have to given a choice. Most of the vegetable material they do eat and can digest is that which is in the stomach linings of the prey they have killed and eat.
flatcoat2004
16 years ago
Poor poor puppy :-(
shah_khushboo_gmail_com
16 years ago
ok...wat is al this bout wolves n dogs...u have not seen wolf or a dog grazing in the field?....congratulations...n since wen have u seen a wolf bein a pet???...i understand tha they r suppose to be closest cousins but they r not d same n they hav evolved....

the puppy I adopted was gonaa be put to sleep had I not adopted it as it was d last week amongst the six weeks time alloted to the shelter..(tha is wen u can quote "Poor poor puppy :-(".....).I am not abusing it..not avoiding his needs...waking up twice in d night to address his poop issues..I am providing it with everything I can...I recognise there are issues in trying this vegan thing but I am trying my best to overcome it.(i researched about it online n found innumerable sites catering to veggies for dogs n puppies...it might not be a perfect food but it is good enough)..n ya if his health starts to deteriorate I will put him back for adoption n hope tha he can find a better loving family...

My pup's best interests r in my heart n for the same reason I had accessed this forum....so thanks al of ul for ur support n friendly advices...
groomingal
16 years ago
you are avoiding his needs by not providing him with a proper high quality diet- you yourself stated "it might not be a perfect food but it is good enough"
You go on to state that if his health deteriorates you will put him back up for adoption. If his health deteriorates that is solely your fault and goes back on your statement of you claiming not avoiding his needs.
I think he should be put back up for adoption immediately- you have no clue about feeding him properly and are willing to make him disposable if he can't live off the food you provide him.

You say you're not very young but you are matured-this I highly doubt. A responsible, mature person would do what is best for their pet and not treat them as a disposable item.

Not to mention your typing "style" screams young person- let me put this in your terms......u shuld feed ur dog wut it needz cuz it will make da boy healthy and idk but dogs shuld b part of da fam neways not get rid uv dem wen u dont like m nemore- u no wut I sayn?
lfnyc
16 years ago
Khush:
It is wonderful that you kept a sweet puppy from being put to death. But you might want to do your own research. Restricting your dog to a vegan diet (that would exclude even eggs) or even a vegetarian one is as morally misguided as those 'animal advocates' who do not want to spay their dogs and cats in order to let them have the "experience" of bearing at least one litter.
Yes...dogs (but NOT cats)can exist on a meat-free diet...but that means that they have to get their protein from eating larger quantities of legumes and grains. As their owner, you have to accept the consequences of having a pet who eventually may acquire thyroid disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, etc. due to the cumulative effects of an inappropriate diet. And if you cannot afford the time and treatment expenses that are involved in caring and medicating a chronically ill adult animal, you can be assured that no one else will either. There are just not enough 'pet angels' to go around.

Unless you can afford the thousands of dollars in vet bills and are willing to nurse your pet through these chronic health problems, you might want to thing twice about projecting your dietary choices as a human onto a very different species.

LF
sylviatexas1
16 years ago
uh.

no.

I *haven't* seen wolves grazing in the fields.

& neither have you.

Grown-up, responsible vegetarians/vegans do *not* acquire carnivorous animals & starve them of the nutrients they need.

They feed their pets according to the pets' needs;
if they cannot bear to feed meat, they get pets whose dietary needs are compatible with their own philosophy/lifestyle/diet.

You cannot raise a healthy puppy on a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet any more than you can raise a goldfish in a birdcage (after all, oxygen is oxygen, right?)

Give the puppy away.

Starvation is starvation, whether it's fast or slow, & it's abusive & cruel.

I cannot fathom how someone who won't eat animals can rationalize abusing/starving one.

Give the puppy away.
cnvh
16 years ago
Groomingal, you crack me up... :)

I'm guessing "troll"
rivkadr
16 years ago
Guys, just to play devil's advocate here (no, I personally would NOT feed my dog such a diet, and I am vegetarian), how do YOU know such a diet is unhealthy for a dog?

The world's oldest dog is a vegan. PETA (yeah, yeah, I know) did a study of 300 vegetarian and vegan dogs, and found them to by and large be fully healthy (and the longer that they had been vegan/vegetarian, the healthier they were). The ASPCA has no issue with owners feeding their dogs a vegetarian diet, so long as they do the research, and do it in conjunction with a vet.

I see a lot of you advocating the OP doing research on this issue. How many of you have done that research yourself into vegetarian diets for dogs before giving your own opinion? I suspect you're basing your opinion on either one of two things:

a) the idea that most "bad" dog foods are full of filler products, and that vegetarian dog foods are probably full of those same products. That's a specious argument; you can probably find high-protein, non-meat, vegetarian products that aren't full of corn, etc.

b) the idea that it isn't "natural". Well, dogs living in houses and eating dry kibble or food out of cans isn't exactly "natural" either. So long as they're getting their recommended daily protein and needed nutrients and are healthy, what exactly is the issue?

Again, let me say that I personally would not feed a dog such a diet. I have no issue with feeding an animal meat, because it's easier, and they probably prefer it, even if I personally have ethical issues eating meat myself. Having said that, though, I see a lot of people spouting opinions in this thread who don't appear to have done any research themselves, other than to say "That ain't natural! Wolves eat meat!"

If you can find a study that shows that a good vegetarian diet is less healthy for a dog, then maybe we'd have something real to talk about.
lfnyc
16 years ago
Rivkdar: You raise interesting points:

1)You are correct that one could be skeptical of a PETA study just as one should be skeptical of any study that was funded and conducted by Purina. Dr. Dean Ornish is famous for his highly publicized 'studys' that 'prove' that human vegetarians are 'healthier' than carnivores, but he uses his closely monitered and motivated vegetarian patients against a 'control' group of the general population. Duh. As for your other points:

)""" the idea that most "bad" dog foods are full of filler products, and that vegetarian dog foods are probably full of those same products. That's a specious argument; you can probably find high-protein, non-meat, vegetarian products that aren't full of corn, etc. """

All proteins are not equal. Vegetable proteins do not offer complete amino acids. If there is no muscle meat or organ meat in a pet food, that food must include higher levels of carbohydrate (legumes, grains) that have to be broken down,digested and metbolized as sugars. Think of diabetes as an over use injury of the pancreas. Hi levels of carbs can have un-intended concequences. This goes for humans as well as cats and dogs.

""""b) the idea that it isn't "natural". Well, dogs living in houses and eating dry kibble or food out of cans isn't exactly "natural" either. So long as they're getting their recommended daily protein and needed nutrients and are healthy, what exactly is the issue?""""

The issue is not what is natural, but that there is more to food than the macronutrients they contain. As one example: legumes...especially soy...have to be fermented and processed before they are usable as food. Then they are broken down even further to extract the macronutrients. Along with the isolated protein in soy, come concentrated levels of plant estrogens, which may not be a problem in the short term, but can cause endocrine issues..specifically thyroid disease...in the long term.

LF
spiritual_gardner
16 years ago
I have given this original post some thought, and I am beginning to wonder if it is a sick prank just to get people riled up.

Aside from that, this is ABSOLUTELY my last word on this subject, forever.

If the Divine had wanted dogs and their ancestors to be vegetarian and probably grazers, he would have given them hooves. Since He/She did not, one with at least the brains of a worm must assume that they were meant to be meat eaters from the beginning. Tampering with this is cruel and inhumane.

SG
sylviatexas1
16 years ago
sg, I think you're right.

"wolves grazing in the fields" should have been the last clue any of us needed (& I guess I can say it, since I'm the one who took that bait!)
Meghane
16 years ago
Dogs and wolves are a lot closer than cousins- they are subspecies of the same species. They evolved together until humans started breeding dogs, but honestly dogs are different from wolves only the way Europeans are different from Africans and Asians, which is to say they are not really different at all.

Soy and wheat protein are not as bioavailable as meat to dogs. And the commercial vegan foods do not make up for the decreased bioavilability by adding more protein, so your dog will be malnourished. Especially a growing puppy needs high quality (meaning both complete in amino acids and bioavailable) protein, and a vegan diet simply cannot provide that.

If you'd consider adding eggs to the diet, that would be better. Eggs are the most nutritionally complete bioavailable protein source you can get.

Why would you want to deprive your dog of optimal nutrition and provide only marginally adequate? Isn't having a dog as a pet (or slave as they are called by PETA) against a vegan lifestyle anyway? Uh-oh, can o' worms...
holligator
16 years ago
It seems like others have pointed out the flaws in a canine vegan diet, so I just want to add a quick clarification. You state that, "a dog is not a carnivore but a omnivore jus lik humans." This is inaccurate, but it's a common confusion. Dogs are carnivores. Unlike cats, however, they are not obligate carnivores or hypercarnivores, animals that eat only meat. That is, left to their own devices, cats would eat only meat and dogs would eat almost all meat, with the stomach contents of their prey being the main source of non-meat food.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
16 years ago
khushboo, I truly hope you are ashamed of yourself for even considering the possibility of sending a dog back if YOU make him sick.
laurief_gw
16 years ago
Unfortunately, if this puppy is malnourished during skeletal development, the effects may not become evident until long after the damage is done, irreversible, and permanent. At that point, khushboo may end up giving away an animal destined to suffer a lifetime of physical weakness, vulnerability, and/or lameness. How, exactly, does that jive with the vegan philosophy?

Khushboo, if you insist on doing this to your puppy, you should commit to keeping this animal for the rest of his life so that you will at least learn the lessons of long term cause and effect of the decisions you make.

Laurie
khushboo
Original Author
16 years ago
This is absolutely my last comment on this...

I am not going to give my puppy away...
I just said that I would do it in case I see any starts to suffer and before he creates a bond so that it is easy for him to move on...not get him to a stage where he is a total goner...n i realy don think tha im ever gona giv him up...i hope that is cleared...
Plz read al the comments properly before ul start attacking...I did not mention about wolves grazing in the field..sum1 else did..so I just responded to it by sayin tha no I havent seen a wolf grazing a field anymore then I have seen a wolf as a pet...
I had accessed this site for some frank opinions n suggestions not criticisms that go on to a personal level ...("ur typing skills show tha u must be very very young"..."brains of worms". etc.i m sure ul find some words or things i mentioned in this message tha u can comment upon next..so go ahead n knock urself out...).If u want to criticise my decision..fine...atleast be mature enough to not go on to a personal level...I did not know people wud behave as thou villagers with torches...Its a controversial subject n that is that...

I have read on this forum people talkin bout water away from thier pet from six in the eve..for about 12 hrs..but i gues that is not cruel according to ul as that is for their own convenience...

N thanks rivkadr...realy appreciate it...Iv seen dogs bac in my home country bein al well fed on vegetarian diet n bein completely healthy...n infact having a longer life span...just wasnt sure about how I wud do it in this environment..but ur comment on research goes ahead n proves it right...

Newaz for people who genuinely cared bout my pet ( jules0988,laurief,rivkadr,spiritual gardener..thou i seem to have offended u later on,lfnyc,socks12345,elly nj etc)n gave their frank opinions positive or negative..thanks...appreciate it.. id like ul to know tha my vet suggested me 2 sites...balanceit.com and petdiets.com...n I have called upon a consultation with a certified veterinary nutritionist from this site petdiets.com to help me out with this...its gona cost some amount initially but itl b fine..n don worry il take good care of him...thanks again for ur opinions...appreciate them...

I just visited my vet yest..first weekly visit...my pup's (weasley's) poop has gone back to its original consistency n he is doing perfectly well n has already learnt to follow sit n down commands :)...

So this is my last comment on this subject...I hope i get an equally enthusiastic response (41 posts!!!)on other queries I post :)....
firemanswife
16 years ago
This is just sad. I hope you realize that most people here are just concerned people who just want to help you raise a happy, healthy puppy. I too am very concerned that you are going to try a vegetarian diet. This is not something I would advise or even attempt.

The only reason I am stepping in is the comment you made "I am not going to give my puppy away...
I just said that I would do it in case I see any starts to suffer and before he creates a bond"....my question is why would you even think of doing anything no matter what it is if there was even the slightest chance it would make this little one suffer?
I too have a young puppy and the thought of giving him up would just break my heart but the thought of doing anything that would make him suffer just makes me sick.
oceanna
16 years ago
There was at one time a Hawaiian breed of dog. The Hawaiians decided to make the dog vegan. The dogs became weak and misshapen and went extinct.

And fine if you say wolves aren't pets. Feel free to post pictures of dogs grazing in fields.
Nancy in Mich
16 years ago
My dogs graze. They love to eat grass, so that it will make them throw up. I am not sure what the attraction is, but they love to vomit at times. It is common to find a bit of sputuum on the carpet with a few strands of half-digested grass in it.

Please read some of our threads on picking a good dry dog food and apply those standards to whatever dog food you choose. And DO give your dog eggs, you do not have to cook them, even. Think about adding a fish oil supplement, or a flax oil supplement if you want to be really truly vegan. I don't think this is a good idea, but if you are going to do it, make sure you are not feeding your dog any form of sugars - from corn syrup on down. Empty calories are not going to be good for your pup. The dog food listed above is junk, with salt and sugar and partial foods. Get one that uses whole foods, not just fragments. Can you compromise and be vegetarian (give eggs, cottage cheese and maybe fish oil) and not totally vegan?
blue_velvet_elvis
16 years ago
Dogs eat grass to throw up. That does not mean that they should eat grass. In fact, it would seem that perhaps it's not well tolerated.
timbulb
16 years ago
There is so much mis-information and baseless facts in this thread it's ridiculous.

Don't make your dog a vegan. Feed him a decent dry dog food and he'll be happy and healthy. If you can't stand the fact he eats meat get a guinea pig.

And khushboo, perhaps if your typing was easier to read by those of us who know english, you may get better advice and less attacks.
anita22
16 years ago
Folks, FWIW, there's an appalling number of vets out there who support the position that dogs are omnivores. AND that feeding grain is a necessary/healthy part of the diet.

khushboo, glad to hear you are doing research and working with nutritionists. But PLEASE critically consider the source of your research and the information nutritionists use to make recommendations, and take any research/info funded by most commercial dogfood companies and their affiliates with a grain of salt.

BTW, I'd like to recommend a very helpful site for dog nutrition -- dogaware.com. The owner is a respected researcher, nutritionist and free-lance writer for Whole Dog Journal (another source I'd recommend if you still want to consider going vegan).

As other posters remarked, would you consider compromising on a purely vegan diet and feed your pup eggs, cottage cheese, and maybe fish? You may not see immediate damage from a vegan diet given so young. Lack of enough bioavailable protein will affect all organ development, skin, bones, immune system, etc., and as in all living things, if it happens at a young enough age, the damage is irreversible. (I work in the educational system and I have seen too many at risk kids and babies who were nutritionally deprived and permanently damaged.) I think you will agree that you are not doing your pup any favors by setting him up for such a life.

Hope this helps.
gabro14
16 years ago
Dogs do not eat grass in order to vomit. That is a myth.

And Khushboo, are you purposefully making errors while typing? I can't even follow this thread because I get a headache when reading your posts. Who types like that?? If you are going to ask advice on a forum, it would be in your best interest to type better so that people can actually understand what you are trying to convey.
"I m jus gona raise him as if its my baby...n im sure il do everythin to keep him healthy...n wid al our luv n care.."

HUH??
User
16 years ago
It's a younger person's typing style. They purposely spell incorrectly for the sake of brevity or something along those lines. Also, English does not appear to be his/her first language. I'm pretty much thinking this is somebody who is trying to ruffle feathers.
beegood_gw
16 years ago
IMHO This thread is beginning to look like a dog chasing it's tail. Going nowhere but in circles.
joepyeweed
16 years ago
"I m jus gona raise him as if its my baby...n im sure il do everythin to keep him healthy...n wid al our luv n care.."

A translation for you:

I am just going to raise him as if it was my baby. And I am sure I will do everything to keep him healthy. And with all our love and care...

Its text message language... if you are typing into a phone with 10 or 11 keys, people shorten up the type...
gabro14
16 years ago
Thanks :) But I knew the translation....it's just that I find it rather irritating when people ask for help and it takes me (and others) 2-3 times as long to figure out what they are saying!

I never got the feeling that English was this person's 2nd language. It just doesn't seem that way. It seems like it's a hoax - this poster will go from saying something like:
"I m jus gona raise him as if its my baby...n im sure il do everythin to keep him healthy...n wid al our luv n care.."
And then will say:
"This is absolutely my last comment on this...I am not going to give my puppy away...I just said that I would do it in case I see any starts to suffer and before he creates a bond so that it is easy for him to move on...not get him to a stage where he is a total goner".

That sounds like 2 different people. This is a hoax.
oceanna
16 years ago
It may well be a hoax, and I thought so from the start. But the fact remains that a number of people these days are trying to feed their dogs (and in some cases even cats) a vegetarian diet. So the topic is a fair one for discussion.

On the one hand we have millions of years of evolution for the dog and his ancestors eating primarily meat and bones. On the other hand, we have what studies on them being vegetarian, and over what period of time?
gabro14
16 years ago
I agree that even though there is a high likelihood that this is a hoax, it is still a good topic for discussion.

However, this is not the place for it. This is a PET forum, and this had turned into a debate. Since a thread was already started in the ANIMAL DEBATE forum about this topic, I think that it would be more appropriate to take this discussion there (for those who want to further discuss this).

Just my opinion...
sally2_gw
16 years ago
This is a troll. I have seen posts on other forums from time to time, with similar spelling and grammatical errors saying preposterous things, getting people riled up. Don't be fooled.

Sally
sylviatexas1
16 years ago
"...I hope i get an equally enthusiastic response (41 posts!!!)on other queries I post :).... "

duh.
clg7067
16 years ago
http://www.rugerdachshunds.com/faqs.html

The only nutritional education vets receive is from the dog food companies. I know a veterinary student. Fortunately, she's smart enough to see beyond the hype.

Here is a link that might be useful: What to feed dogs.
bigshoes213
16 years ago
Since your puppy is going to be a large breed dog do not feed him puppy chow for very long. It is not healthy. You can feed puppies adult food and that will be fine. I made that mistake with my first border collie. She was unable to walk when she was 6 months old because her bones were much longer than her joints could handle. It took almost a month before she was back to normal. At a year old she developed extreme pain in her hips and needed a hip replacement all because of being feed puppy chow for too long. Good luck with your new puppy!!
ines_99
16 years ago
"the only nutritional education vets recieve is from dog food companies"
Ha! What a surprise! Sort of like how most of the nutritional information we get in school as kids comes in the form of charts stating the "important food groups" - and these charts are made up by the Meat and Dairy Industry, who makes a profit off of us all growing up to be consumers of their products

I want to make my pup a vegetarian/vegan...any suggestions?

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