The Vegetarian Dog - Feeding Your Dog A Healthy Vegetarian Diet
The Vegetarian Dog
Many dog owners are looking for a healthy way to feed their dog. One way to do that is with a vegetarian diet. If you are already following a vegetarian diet yourself, feeding your dog in the same way should be simple. If you are not a vegetarian, but wish you dog to be, the following are some simple suggestions on how to do just that.
Dogs have a higher protein requirement than humans. Although no optimum protein level is known, a vegetarian diet can meet the standard with a variety of legumes or other foods. There are many people who practice a vegetarian diet and are as healthy as those who do not. There is no reason that dogs cannot follow a similar diet.
To Vegetarians, the following is nothing new, but for everyone else, a little common sense and plenty of variety will make nutrient deficiencies unlikely and make your vegetarian dog healthy and happy.
A vegetarian dog would probably do better with multiple feedings as opposed to the one feeding with dry dog food. Larger vegetarian dogs should be fed twice a day while smaller breeds may need to be fed three or four smaller meals spread throughout the day.
Hint: Dogs do not get worms from drinking milk. Diarrhea or constipation is common due to your dog's inability to break down lactose.
Wholegrain cereals like muesli or Shredded Wheat in milk would be good for your dog's first meal. The later meal should be some combination of each of the following groups:
Protein
1) Cheese, eggs, nuts, textured soy protein, cooked lentils or beans, tofu, seeds (sunflower, sesame). Feed several of these at one meal to get a good balance of amino acids.
2) Raw or cooked vegetables and raw or dried fruit.
3) Brown rice or whole grain bread.
You may also want to mix a teaspoon of vegetable oil in your dog's food to provide some of the essential fatty acids that he needs.
Foods to avoid
Macadamia nuts, Grapes or raisins, and raw onions should all be avoided as they can be toxic when ingested in large enough quantities. Chocolate and other caffeine products should also be avoided as it can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.
Puppies that are weaned can be fed four times a day rotating the cereal meal and the later meal ingredients. Once they reach eight months to a year old, you can cut back to feeding them three meals a day and then down to two meals a day.
If your dog has been brought up on a regular meat diet, make the changeover to a vegetarian diet gradual. If your dog is very active there may be a problem of bulk to energy. Make sure you consult your veterinarian to ensure that sufficient energy can be obtained from the amount of food given.
Milk alone may not be an adequate source of calcium for puppies. Rapidly growing dogs of heavy breeds particularly need a high calcium intake, please consult your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your dog's vegetarian diet.
Related Tags: dogs, pets, training, dog nutrition, vegetarian diet, dog feeding
Wayne Kostencki is a dog lover. He has owned or lived with dogs since he was a small child. During that time, Wayne has struggled to learn how to not just train his pets, but to be able to enjoy them as companions. You can find more information on his website, http://www.averagemansguides.com/. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea