Should My Dog be Vegan?

So, I'll preface this blog with a statement; I'm vegan and have been for over 19 years. The Vegan Society defines "vegan" as "a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose." The vegan population has grown exponentially since I began living the lifestyle, and just recently (between 2014 and 2017), "the number of U.S. consumers identifying as vegan grew from 1% to 6%; a 600% increase!" - www.forbes.com. Unfortunately, along with that diet/lifestyle comes a lot of negative trash talking from others. It's as if other non-vegans feel attacked, somehow, by how I choose to live my life. Well, that's their problem I guess. HaHa! So anyhow, I have a dog. Not just any dog, but the best and most awesome dog in the entire world (we all say that about our dogs, right?)! His name is Cairo and I found him when he was still trying to nurse. Someone must have abandoned him. I seriously don't understand how someone could be so cruel. It baffles me. He's turning nine this month and we have been through so much together! When he came into my life, I asked myself, "can dogs be vegan?" And then, I asked myself another similar (yet very different) question; "should dogs be vegan?"

I went back and forth for a while about what to feed Cairo. What I have learned in the nine years that I've had him can't be summed up in one sentence. Eating vegan for me is one thing, but I wanted him to be healthy and to thrive as much as he possibly could. Perhaps I'll get crap from my vegan friends about this blog, but I decided to feed him non-vegan high quality food and treats. Okay ... I won't lie. He gets junk food treats sometimes too. That's the route I decided to go. Yes, I purchase food and treats containing meat. Call the vegan police if you want. I do want to make it clear that I've done plenty of research on this topic, and it is possible for dogs to thrive on a vegan diet. Most people consider dogs to be carnivores (where meat is a necessity), however this is inaccurate. Dogs are actually omnivores. Their digestive systems can easily digest and derive nutrients from fruits and vegetables. The thing is, most dog food (almost all dog food) on the market, contains meat. There's only a small percentage of food and treats that are actually vegan, which can make it a bit more annoying in the overall scheme of things. I, also, went the route of letting my dog choose for himself, what he wanted to eat. I purchased a vegan dog food for him to try out. He ate it, but I could tell that he didn't love it. So I tried a few other brands and settled on one that had multiple flavors to choose from, but was not vegan in the least. There's definitely a fine line as to wanting your dog to be healthy, wanting your dog to be living by "your" ethical standards, and wanting your dog to be happy. It's really up to you and your dog.

Okay, so the short answer is that, yes, your dog can thrive on a vegan diet. But, you also need to watch out. Finding a meat and dairy-free dog food that has all the proper nutrients for them to live their best life is pretty difficult. A canine's digestive system has an easier time processing animal matter than it does plant. Vitamins and antioxidants from plants are fantastic, but fats and protein aren't as readily available. Basically, if you do decide to put your dog on a vegan diet, make sure you know what you're doing. Do your research. Chat with someone who's already doing it or a professional who knows about it firsthand. And don't trust just anyone. A lot of people out there are biased and will just tell you that it's cruel and/or impossible for your dog to be vegan. It's true that it may be a bit more annoying, but it's definitely doable. I have a good friend who has been feeding his dog a vegan diet for years now ... and he's very healthy. Basically, do your own research as well as seeking advice from others, and keep in mind that making your dog vegan could lead to health complications and malnutrition if done improperly.

Ultimately, it's up to you as to whether a vegan diet it right for your pup. There are pros and cons to both sides. There are dog foods out there that are vegan, but do they actually have the proper nutrients in them for your dog to be healthy? Will your dog actually like the food? You can always consider a compromise where you feed your dog a vegetarian dog food (but not vegan). Or, maybe you'll find the perfect vegan food for them containing all the proper nutrients and he/she will love it! Just remember though, if you're vegan for ethical reasons, it can be tough to find a happy balance involving you and your dog. It is possible, but what it really boils down to, is that you are responsible for the life in front of you (your dog), and it's his/her life that should come first and foremost. Good luck!

Here are some vegan and vegetarian dog food options...

- V-Dog Vegan Kibble Dry Dog Food

- Halo Vegan Garden Medley Dry & Wet Dog Food

- Evolution Food for Dogs

- Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food

- Nature's Recipe Healthy Skin Dry Dog Food