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The simple answer is that dogs can do just fine on a carefully balanced vegetarian or vegan diet, while cats cannot. Sure, you can try to work around the whole cats-are-obligate-carnivores thing by supplementing certain synthetic amino acids, but it gets tricky — not to mention dangerous to the cat’s health.
To Feed or Not to Feed Meat: One Vet's Take on Vegetarian Dog Diets "and Cat Diets"
Seeded on Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:57 AM EST
Article Source: vetstreet.com- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (20)
This is an interesting read for dog owners. Should you let your dog go vegan? It states no for cats, as cats need meat.
- 1 vote
#1 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:58 AM ESTCat's systems are built on being carnivores and while they do eat some veggies, they CANNOT live on a vegitarian diet.
- 1 vote
If the vegetarian diet was as popular as the vegetarians like to tell us where is the big national fast food vegetarian restaurant?
The teeth dictate what kind of diet is best for all living things I personally like to eat vegetables but don't you dare try to take away my meat.
I case of the "end of the world" stay away from the reformed vegetarians because I think that they will be the first one to try to put you into a big pot of boiling water.
- 3 votes
#2 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:19 AM ESTI case of the "end of the world" stay away from the reformed vegetarians because I think that they will be the first one to try to put you into a big pot of boiling water.
My husband's Uncle was annoyed by the fact that I am vegan (he lives in OK). HE said "I bet you'd eat meat if you were starving!" I just smiled and said "If I were actually starving to death I'd eat YOU." "But luckily I'm a modern American with access to a supermarket." I didn't mention that I would have fed some of him to my dog as well....after all, she's MY baby!
- 3 votes
kaviaq, "I didn't mention that I would have fed some of him to my dog as well" even better reason to make your dog vegan? It might save your uncle someday. LOL
- 1 vote
3sheets2thewind, "I think that they will be the first one to try to put you into a big pot of boiling water.". I'm guessing according to this seed your biggest worry might be from cat owners. : )
- 1 vote
#3 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:27 AM ESTThe teeth dictate what kind of diet is best for all living things
That's been my belief for many years 3sheets! Thanks for being only the second person I've ever met that agrees! Most people look at me like I'm nuts!
What other reason is there for incisors and cutting edges rather than all flat, grinding surfaces?
My cat gets an all-meat diet, except for any plant matter he chooses to eat outdoors. He has his own planter of cat grass to carry him through the winter. My dog gets a combination. She enjoys a sweet potato for breakfast and a mix of Blue Buffalo dry and canned food for dinner.
I make sure they get plenty of exercise and they're both trim, happy and healthy.
- 4 votes
#4 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:00 AM ESTI had a Welsh terrier that would joyfully chomp down on his daily ration of doggie food. I would say it vanished within a minute. A few times veggies were put into his food, usually left overs in the fridge. On such occasions and without losing a beat, he would deftly arrange each vegetable piece in a near perfect and evenly spaced line along side his bowl. Clearly he was telling us that this line was absolutely not acceptable.
- 3 votes
#5 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:30 AM ESTWeird, my dog LOVES fresh veggies mixed with her kibble. She'll even eat raw spinach leaves! She's a dachshund and I have to carefully control her calorie intake (nothing sadder than a fat weiner dog) so I mix in chopped zucchini and canned green beans with her food. She wolfs it right down!
I'm vegan but my dog is currently on a prescription food (for bladder stones) that is chicken based. Since my husband is vegetarian the dog is the only one eating meat in the house. I'm planning on putting her on a vegan or vegetarian diet eventually. I'll have to try a few out and see what she does best on. Now that we know why she gets bladder infections I can take her off the special food as long as the new food has a similar effect on her urinary pH.
Since dogs are omnivores like humans they have a lot of "choice" in what they eat. I would never try to put a cat on a vegan diet though. They are obligate carnivores and I wouldn't feel right risking their health (I've heard some cats do fine on a vegan diet and others don't). But since I am allergic to cats anyway I won't have to worry about it.
- 2 votes
My three 4 legged furry people like their meat! That being said, they all LIKE most "people food" except pickles and hot peppers. (UNDERSTAND THAT.....neither do I) My cat......loves chicken and so did the last one we had. Chicken was his weakness.....the ONLY thing he would go in the trash can after.
he would deftly arrange each vegetable piece in a near perfect and evenly spaced line along side his bowl.
I have notice that most of the dogs that I have own love carrots and most soft cooked (still crunchy but not raw) root vegetable general they don't like mushrooms and are not crazy about peas or green bean.
- 2 votes
3sheets2thewind. I just found this top 10 list of recommended pet fruits and veggies.
Interesting list. My hound gets a sweet potato every morning after her walk.
She wanted to share the banana I had for breakfast this morning too. I gave her a very small piece because, (a) I didn't know if she would actually eat it or of it was safe, and (b) it was my breakfast dammit!
The good new is that she ate it with no apparent ill effects, but I see it's not on the list.
- 1 vote
jwc2blue, "My cat gets an all-meat diet" Does this include fish products?
- 1 vote
#6 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:46 AM ESTAs a rule, no. Too much fish can cause steatosis in cats, so my boy gets the occasional (maybe once a week) sardine as a treat. For some reason, he won't touch tuna, or I'd let him lick out the can when I'm making tuna salad.
- 2 votes
human tuna food is bad for cats. They lack the amino acid called taurine needed for cats to eat tuna without problems. Some cats will avoid human tuna but destroy cat friendly tuna. Or at least my cat hated normal tuna. But loved cat tuna.
- 1 vote
Cats also love the hard shell of the shrimp but be warned if they know that you are keeping the soft shirmp meat for yourself they will plot your death.
- 2 votes
human tuna food is bad for cats.
Thanks DT, that's good to know.
- 1 vote
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