Dogs are classified as carnivores, but from the perspective of biological evolution, they are omnivores, which means that they can get nutrition from various food sources, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, grains and livestock products. Unlike cats, dogs can obtain and synthesize necessary nutrients from food sources.
Catherine, an associate professor of veterinary medicine and nutrition at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, said, "The most important thing is that you should feed your pet in a way that can meet its nutritional needs. It is entirely possible to find a high-quality pet food without meat products."
Good for vegetarian dogs. Studies show that a plant-based diet has a positive effect on your pet. Studies have shown that this diet can increase the health and vitality of pets, improve immunity, better control weight, and reduce the incidence of cancer, infection, thyroid degeneration, diabetes, arthritis and cataract.
A study by a multi-disciplinary digital publishing agency shows that dogs can thrive on vegetarianism as long as their owners can ensure that they get the nutrition they need. Purebred dogs may encounter health problems, but these problems are also common in carnivorous dogs.
For Xiao, a freelance photographer in San Diego, vegetarianism helps her dog avoid diarrhea and hot spots on the skin. She gave her golden retriever vegetarian dog food, which contained plant protein, homemade smoothies and vegetables. Shelley feeds her German shepherd every week with beans, sweet potatoes and brown rice with ear infections. After five months, the infection disappeared, and her dog's fur was healthy and beautiful, and there was no bad breath.
In addition to these health factors, the owner can also make the dog turn to a plant-based diet according to environmental and genetic reasons. If you are preparing to make such a change, it is very important to choose the right pet food. Michelle strongly advises pet owners to choose pet food that has been tested by the American Feed Inspection Association. If you plan to start preparing food again, you'd better consult a dog nutrition expert. This will ensure that your dog gets the necessary nutrition. Diet should contain protein, vitamins and minerals such as soybeans, peas and potatoes, and amino acids such as vitamin B 12 and calcium must be supplemented. Dogs need more protein than people, which is why it is important to choose enough sources of protein.
Many veterinarians are still considering whether plants and nutritional supplements can provide enough nutrition and whether there are meat substitutes, so it is best to consider what your dog needs most. You know them better than anyone. With the help of a veterinarian, you are most sure whether vegetarian food is suitable for your pet.