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RELATED CONTACTS FOR VEGAN PET FOOD
Evolution Diet
makes only vegan dog and cat food. The quality of ingredients is
superior. www.petfoodshop.com
Harbingers of a New
Age
offers supplementation products to add to your home-cooked whole
food meals for vegan cats and dogs and is a good source of information.
The owner,
James Peden, was the first to sell vegan pet food products and has authored a
book entitled: Vegetarian Dogs and Cats.
www.vegepet.co
Doggy Delights
Organic vegan treats by a totally vegan company. www.vegan-delights.com
VegetarianDogs.com
information on feeding dogs a vegan diet and a book entitled:
Vegetarian Dogs; towards a world without exploitation www.vegetariandogs.com
Dogs Own Pantry
vegan owned company offering gourmet canine treats.
www.dogsownpantry.ca
Wow-Bow
Distributors - home made pet treats.
www.Wow-Bow.com
VeggiePets.com
based in the U.K., offers information and products.
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DOGS CAN BE VEGAN
TOO!
Although dogs
are by genus classified as carnivorous, metabolically, they are omnivorous. I
have been fortunate to share my life with a number of vegan dogs, and I can
attest to the fact that you can feel safe knowing that you can raise your dog on
a vegan diet. In fact, with careful attention to their nutritional needs,
(as you should give to your own), they truly thrive on plant-based food. In my
experience, dogs become gentler, cleaner and more lovable, as well as healthier. In fact, the good health of our dogs has surprised a few conventional vets.
In the United States, quite a
few companies (see below) produce a complete, plant-based, canned dog food
which meets canine nutritional needs. These are obviously superior in
quality to commercial dog foods, most of which consist of slaughterhouse
by-products and other unimaginable ingredients.
Just like
for
humans, a varied diet is essential
to ensure your dog's adequate nutrition.
My preference is
to mix the plant-based commercial food with wholesome homemade meals, similar
to what you yourself would eat. Serve meals at room temperature or slightly
warmed along with a clean bowl of water. Also please note that it is reported
that onions (in large amounts) and chocolate (in small amounts) can be toxic
to dogs.
Non-vegan dogs
generally eat one meal a day, whereas vegan dogs should eat smaller meals twice
daily, as well as snacks. A snack could be several vegan dog biscuits (see below) or a
handful or two (depending on the size of your dog) of vegan kibble (see below).
Or it could be a few bites of your own healthy snack (such as whole grain toast) that your
dog would love to share!
CARBOHYDRATES (50-75%)
A large portion of their meal can be made up of
a variety of whole grains (well-cooked), which are a source of protein as well
as carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals. Some recommended
grains are brown rice, quinoa, millet, corn grits/polenta or corn kernels
(blended), oats, pasta (whole grain) and bread (whole grain).
PROTEIN (35-50%)
A dog's protein
requirement is greater than ours. Approximately a third to a half of
their meal should consist of a source of protein, such as beans (well-cooked),
lentils (cooked or sprouted then ground), chick peas (sprouted and/or cooked)
hummus, soy beans, tempeh, tofu, potatoes, seitan (wheat-meat; high in protein).
Protein supplements can be used when convenience is required, but should not take the
place of whole protein sources.
ENZYMES & FIBER
Raw
food is essential for
vitality, for animals as well as humans.
Grated raw carrots, beet root, sprouts (such as
lentils) and barley grass powder are good additions to your dog's food.
Some authorities recommend adding digestive enzymes to a dog's
diet. The enzymes that dogs need specifically are Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Cellulase and Lactase. Another
one that may be included is vegan acidophilus.
Harbingers of a New Age sells Prozyme, an enzyme supplement for dogs.
OIL
Oil requirements can be
met with avocado, if available. It is a rich source of vitamins. Most dogs love it, but it
might take a little getting used to. Another source is
1-2 tablespoons of tahini, which is a rich source of calcium.
Essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6, & 9)
To ensure they receive
these necessary nutrients (also essential for vegan humans), add 1 teaspoon to 1
tablespoon of a vegan "total essential fatty
acid blend". Mustard
seed oil contains all the essential fatty acids. If this is not
available, an
alternative is flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, or 1 teaspoon of ground or
soaked flax seeds, which are less
complete, but are a good addition to the meals. Flax or
total EFA oil also serves other purposes such as joint function, hormonal
balance and
coat health. There are many studies that confirm the powerful healing
benefits of giving dogs flax seed oil. I believe these oils to
be especially important for senior dogs.
B-12
Another supplement to be included in a vegan dog’s diet is Red Star Vegetarian
Support Formula nutritional yeast (for our U.S. readers). Alternatively,
supplement with a savory nutritional yeast rich in B vitamins and a source of
Vitamin B-12 (either in fortified plant milks or meat analogs) or simply a
supplement. Although a sprinkle of spirulina is a very good addition to your
dog’s meals, don’t rely on it as the only source of B-12 (for you or your dog), as it
can be a B-12 analog and can actually interfere with real B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)
absorption. Dogs enjoy nori, kelp, and other sea vegetable flakes. They are a
good replacement for salt in their meal and are rich in trace minerals.
You can also try nori sheets in bite-size pieces added to the meal.
CALCIUM
Your dog's calcium requirements can be met with tahini (sesame seed butter) and/or finely chopped raw dark greens
added to the meal, and also by mixing in some canned pure vegetarian dog food
which they find irresistible! We mix some of the marketed moist food in with
meals to help meet the nutritional requirements.
TAURINE
Taurine is an amino
acid (naturally found in meat) that should be supplemented in a vegan dog’s
diet. Most dogs can live healthy lives without it, but certain breeds
can not. Without taurine supplementation, older, physically challenged
dogs can develop disorders of the heart. Vegetarian dog
specialists and most companies that sell vegan
dog food advise adding taurine to the diet of a vegan dog. It is an
inexpensive preventative measure.
L-CARNITINE
L-carnitine, also an
amino acid naturally found in meat, can be supplemented. A deficiency of this
nutrient can also cause dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious illness in which the
heart becomes large and flabby and can no longer function. This illness
generally strikes middle-aged dogs who are deficient in L-carnitine or taurine
because of breed, size, genetic makeup or diet. L-carnitine is
expensive and can be bought at your local health food store.
Solgar Maxi L-Carnitine 500 mg. tablet is my recommendation and is vegan.
SENIOR DOGS
As dogs age and degenerative diseases occur, anti-inflammatories
such as ginger rhizome in v-caps can be included in the meals (or stuck into a
treat, to disguise the potent taste).
For
dogs showing signs of arthritis or degenerative disc disease, you can
try supplementing with vegan glucosamine, which is produced by several
companies. Bone support vitamins could also be beneficial for these senior
dogs. There has been
research that recognizes MSM to be helpful in animals for joint function.
Prescription 2000, a vegan company in the United States, has both
a vegan bone support and vegan glucosamine powder (better than tablets).
ADDITIONAL
INGREDIENTS
Wheat germ is an
important addition for a healthy coat.
One teaspoon of bran aids in
elimination, if necessary.
Dogs manufacture their own vitamin C, but you can
supplement the meal with 1/2-1 tsp. of vitamin C powder (must be Ester-C,
non-acidic or buffered to be gentle on the stomach). Holistic vets have
recommended 1,000 milligrams twice daily for healing purposes.
If your dog
will eat pieces of fruit or salad, that is wonderful! Some dogs will
turn their nose up at such foods. Do include some
vegetables in with the meals, raw and/or cooked.
Add 1/2 to 1 clove of
diced raw garlic into the dinner bowl to prevent and decrease worms and
intestinal parasites.
A teaspoon of soy lecithin helps heart function.
Co-Enzyme Q10 has been recognized by the holistic veterinary world as quite
beneficial for canines, for heart function and for healthy gums. (Keep your
companion animal's teeth brushed and clean).
Following this
meal plan,
you can feel confident that on a cruelty-free diet, your dog will have a sleek
and clean body, clean teeth, a healthy coat, and plenty of energy to join you
for walks in the country!
M.Joy Katz, Gentle World
Co-author of
Incredibly Delicious; Recipes for a New Paradigm
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RELATED CONTACTS FOR VEGAN PET FOOD
Vegan Pet
Australia's own all-vegan pet food company, especially knowledgeable on
feeding cats vegan. www.veganpet.com.au
www.VeganCats.com
Jed Gillen offers a range of vegan pet products and is the author of a book entitled:
Obligate Carnivore.
Pet Guard
offers a vegan moist dog food and two varieties of vegan dog biscuits (and
many non-vegan products) www.petguard.com
Natural Life
offer a moist vegan dog food and dry kibble (as well as many non-vegan pet
food products) www.nlpp.com
Downbound.com
sells Animal Spirit vegan organic dog treats.
Natural Balance Pet
Food vegan kibble called Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula.
www.NaturalBalanceInc.com
Evangers Dog & Cat Food
offers a vegan canned
dog and cat food called
ALL FRESH
VEGETARIAN DINNER (Most of their products
are not vegan)
www.evangersdogfood.com
Incredibly Delicious
Recipes for a New Paradigm
PLANT-BASED
ALTERNATIVES
food
household
supplements & vitamins
cosmetics & toiletries
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VEGAN CATS
The issue of raising cats vegan
remains unclear at this stage of our evolution. I have read and heard
claims of thousands of healthy vegan cats, but I have yet to personally
experience this. Unless a cat is kept confined inside a home, it will
most likely have the instinctual need to hunt. We do not deliberately
bring cats into our homes for this reason. Some cats have wandered into
our lives, however, and they eat vegan food supplemented with nutrients
designed for vegan cats. Unfortunately, they also hunt and eat gecko
lizards, spiders, insects, birds and mice. At least they are evolving
towards a more gentle diet. It is heartwarming to watch our stray cat,
Charisma, lap up his vegan meal!
Cats are generally more finicky than dogs, and their nutritional requirements are more complicated.
Cats have very specific metabolic requirements for several nutrients found
naturally in animal products, such as taurine, (an amino acid-like nutrient),
the amino-acid L-Arginine, (a protein amino acid present in the proteins of
all life forms) and arachidonic acid, (an essential fatty acid), according to
research from the Center of Veterinary Medicine. These are found in appreciable levels only in animal tissues.
Additionally, cats cannot convert the beta-carotene in plants into vitamin A. Instead, they require "pre-formed" vitamin A. Synthetic versions of these
nutrients are available, and it is up to the caregiver to ensure that a
cat is receiving necessary supplements. Insufficient
amounts of vitamin A may cause loss of hearing, as well as problems with skin,
bones and the intestinal and reproductive systems. A feline lacking taurine
can lose eyesight and could develop cardiomyopathy.
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SUPPLEMENTS
When using nutritional supplements or nutraceuticals to reverse or treat disorders, allow 30 days or
more to see improvements. I say this from experience as well as from
veterinary advice. Having said that, I have noticed rapid change
in dogs' coats and skin from supplementation. I once observed an incredible change in a
dog's coat in just ONE WEEK of adding flax oil to the meal.
A bad-tasting supplement, in tablet or
vegetarian-cap form, can be given to a dog by sticking it inside a piece of a
vegan hot dog or meat analog. This makes it fun for them to take their
supplements. It usually works, but Baba got sick of taking supplements
after a while, and managed to eat the treat and leave out the supplement,
every time! I sometimes put a vitamin B-12 sublingual dot (vegetarian
formula) under their tongue or in the mouth.
The Ultimate Meal is a nutritionally complete
meal powder, which is excellent for both humans and animals. We have
used it for animals who are in need of emergency supplementation, as it
ensures adequate nutrition even if a dog is unable to eat solid food.
www.TheUltimateLife.com
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