Vegan dog food?!

[ShePersisted]

We're getting a new puppy(!!!) in 2 weeks and just considering what food to start her on and to use as she grows. We're attracted to the idea of vegan dog food, from an ethical/sustainable perspective. What has been the experience of other dog owners? Do you feed your pet vegan food? Thanks!

[tabulahrasa]

See... I don’t think feeding a carnivore vegan food is ethical tbh... so no, I don’t.

There are quite a few British pet food manufacturers that use local produce though.

[Monsterjam]

You are going to feed an omnivore who needs a balanced diet a vegan one?

[MagnificentMillie]

We are vegetarian but the dog has meat which is something I struggle with tbh.
Dog breeding in itself is not ethical though in my opinion so unless it’s a rescued puppy I am wondering if you are on a wind up.

[MoominKitty]

Dogs need meat.... If you do vegan you have to supliment with vitamins and enzymes.

Dogs need some animal product in their diet, if you are unwilling to provide I would rethink getting a dog tbh.

[JeffJarrett]

I'm a vegetarian but still feed my DS and Ddogs meat. I don't feel it's fair to enforce my life choices onto others 🤷🏼‍♀️

[iklboo]

Dogs aren't meant to be vegan. Their teeth and digestive systems don't support a vegan diet.

[Jokie]

No, Because dogs eat meat and need it go remain healthy.

[Carolduckingbaskin]

Why would you feed a dog a vegan diet? They are carnivores. Reminds me of this

[zenasfuck]

Please don't get a dog
HTH

[Harakeke]

I’d ask a vet to double check but I wouldn’t dream of feeding my carnivore dog vegan food. Can only imagine his sad face.

[Clymene]

Don't feed a dog a vegan diet. Don't impose your values on a dog.

[Pinkyyy]

Don't get a dog unless you're prepared to feed it meat. I'd class that as animal abuse to be honest.

[DartmoorChef]

Don't be such a dick. You shouldn't be getting a dog as you clearly dont have a clue.

[Sconio123]

With respect, if you don't even know that dogs need a diet that includes meat, perhaps you should reconsider getting a 'lockdown pet'

Or maybe buy a hamster.

[OnlyJudyCanJudgeMe]

FFS! Do people actually do this? Insane.

[tabulahrasa]

there’s no real need for the harshness of some of these answers...

You get commercially produced vegan dog food, it does have everything added to make it a nutritionally appropriate food.

It’s obviously all vegetable products and mostly grain which isn’t the greatest for dogs, obviously - but if you’ve never researched dog food you’d not know that.

The OP obviously isn’t going to feed a puppy on some veg she’s put together herself...

[LongPauseNoReply]

@tabulahrasa nutritionally appropriate food for dogs is meat. Wolves aren't vegan. Ffs.

[tabulahrasa]

“nutritionally appropriate food for dogs is meat. Wolves aren't vegan”

I’m aware...

Vegan dog food has loads of ingredients I wouldn’t feed a dog, but they’re also individually ingredients in lots of foods also containing meat.

So no, it’s not a great dog food and I wouldn’t feed it... but it’s also not animal abuse

[Pinkyyy]

@tabulahrasa actually I think there is a very real need for these responses. Dogs are carnivores, yes maybe they will survive on this vegan stuff, but it will not be nutritional enough and it will negatively impact their health. I'm disgusted that it even exists.

[iklboo]

• You get commercially produced vegan dog food, it does have everything added to make it a nutritionally appropriate food.
  
  It’s obviously all vegetable products and mostly grain which isn’t the greatest for dogs, *
  
  So mostly artificial and not actually very good for the dog. Just so the OP can force her beliefs on an animal that is specifically evolved to eat meat products? She'd be be better getting a guinea pig.

[Carolduckingbaskin]

I see op hasn’t been back

[fairydustandpixies]

Is this actually real?? It's like saying, 'ooh I'm getting a cow but I don't believe it should eat grass so I'm going to feed it meat only, any recommendations for cow meat food??'


Jeez..........

[dementedpixie]

Dogs arent meant to be vegan.I'd feed it a meat based diet

[tabulahrasa]

“So mostly artificial and not actually very good for the dog“

Mostly grains and not very good for the dog...but then so are supermarket own brands and some big brands as well - but with about 4% animal products added.

But if someone asks about them they’re told about the food not being good, not that they’re animal abuse or that they shouldn’t get a dog.

[MissShapesMissStakes]

We are vegetarian and at first I found the idea of feeding meat to my dog (before we got one) tricky. But it's not how dogs are meant to eat. They need their meat.
In the end I looked for the most ethical dog food I could find instead. Where the animals were 'line caught, free roaming' etc.