Can dogs be vegan?

The difference between being vegan and vegetarian is that the former totally exclude all products related to animals, such as milk and eggs, while the latter admit these foods in their diet.

Being vegan is a trendy lifestyle, as it is believed to be healthy for the body and can extend life.

Many people who have chosen to be, have also wanted to pass it on to their pets, so the question we ask ourselves is:  can dogs be vegan? To find out, read on.

What does it mean to be vegan?

Vegans are those who do not eat any products of animal origin. We have always heard of the vegetarian current, but now it is reduced.

Veganism, on the other hand, eliminates not only meat or fish from the diet ,  but also eggs, milk, dairy products, gelatin and even honey.

The main ingredients that vegans eat are: cereals, rice, vegetables, fruit, legumes and dried fruit.

The question that many ask themselves is whether, through this type of diet , it is possible to obtain the nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the organism.

Legumes, soy and some types of nuts not only contain a high level of hydrates, but also of protein,  so they provide everything the body needs.

Vegetables provide fiber and vitamins,  as does fruit, which provide extra unprocessed sugar concentrate.

Therefore, everything seems to indicate that a human being can live without problems following a vegan diet. But is it the same for dogs?

Let’s find out if dogs can be vegan

The difference between vegetarians and vegans is that the former eat foods from animals as long as they have not caused their death to obtain them, such as eggs, butter, milk and yogurt .

But being vegan is something else,  and many are against this type of diet. But what about animals? The cats , for instance, are carnivores and need animal protein to survive, but for dogs is another story. What does science say?

There are processed foods from which proteins are obtained from vegetables and plants,  and it is claimed that they comply with all nutritional standards suitable for preserving animal health. These foods contain soy, potatoes, peas, minerals, vitamins and amino acids, which are recommended for dogs.

Although veterinarians claim that a balanced diet is essential for dogs, some doubt that vegetables and plants provide these animals with all the nutrients they need.

Contrary opinions

Several veterinarians, doctors and scientists claim that meat is necessary for the body of dogs. According to one of them: “We know a lot about dog nutrition, but there are many more that we don’t know. Even if we want them to have a balanced diet, we cannot be sure that they acquire all the necessary nutrients through a vegan diet. It is already difficult to do it through a normal one ”.

Studies show that of the 24 foods tested, most do not meet the minimum standards required and that, therefore, meat is needed to make up for these deficiencies. “If people provide vegan-type nutrition to their dogs because they believe it is healthier, they are wrong,” said Dr. Freeman, who participated in the research.

Favorable opinions

Then there is the other side of the coin, namely those who are in favor of a vegan diet. It has been shown that  some dogs are allergic to certain types of meat, as well as some dairy products,  and that this type of diet is the best choice to solve this problem.

Many vets recommend following this type of diet for about 12 weeks to see if the allergies improve and if the animal is healthy.

The problem for which  a conclusion has not been reached as to whether or not dogs may be vegan,  is because the feeding of some specimens has not been controlled for a prolonged time to carry out research.

It is known the case of two brothers who both died of cancer: one followed a vegan diet and the other conventional. This example at least proves that it is not harmful.

It seems that you can decide whether a dog can become vegan or not, always paying attention to the changes that your pet can experience in the organism.

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