The impact of food and pet food production on the environment is a hot topic resulting in more and more people choosing a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.. But how does this work for our dogs? Can (and should) you feed vegetarian puppy food? Is it even good for our pups? In this article, we’re answering all your questions, and unravelling our take on vegetarian puppy food.
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Can dogs eat a vegetarian diet?
Trends in human food consumption tend to trickle down to pet foods eventually. With so many people going vegetarian and vegan, it’s no surprise that there’s been a rising interest in people wanting to feed their pets a meat free diet.
So can dogs eat a vegetarian diet? Technically yes, they can. Dogs are omnivores so they eat and process both meat and plants. But the bigger question is: should a dog eat a vegetarian diet?…
Should a dog eat a vegetarian diet?
Just because you can doesn’t always mean you should, right? Well, that’s pretty much the case here. Whilst I’m sure many owners want to do the best for their puppies and the environment, the BVA (British Veterinary Association) doesn’t recommend feeding a puppy or adult dog a vegetarian diet. The main reason for this is that it would be very difficult to meet all your dog’s nutritional needs from solely vegetarian dog food. This is further true for vegan diets. There are many vegetarian and vegan pet food products available in pet stores. Food manufacturers are keen to meet a rise in demand for vegetarian dog food, but there isn’t enough evidence available yet to determine how nutritious and satiating they are for our dogs long term.
The pros and cons of vegetarian dog food for puppies
Pros
- Satisfies owners need to live a meat-free lifestyle
- Sustainable and ethical, although it’s important to note that in the UK all pet food meat comes from the human food chain.
- A commercial vegetarian dog food is more likely to be balanced than trying to produce a home made vegetarian diet for your dog.
Cons
- Currently insufficient research and evidence to determine how healthy and nutritious vegetarian food is for puppies and dogs
- Deficiencies in minerals derived from meat products
- Pet food comes from the human food chain, and often consists of animal derivatives that would otherwise go to waste.
- Potential behavioural impact on dogs left feeling hungry and less satiated.
- Mineral deficiencies are more likely in vegetarian and vegan puppy food
- Commercial vegetarian dog foods will often contain supplements to cover nutritional shortfalls, research is lacking in how good these are for our pets long term.
Essential nutrients and nutrition for your puppy
Puppies need a good balance of essential nutrients to ensure they can grow and develop properly. Puppies and adult dogs also need good nutritional balance to learn, so it’s really vital that whatever type of diet you feed your pupp is nutritionally balanced.
The six essential nutrients that puppies require daily are:
- Water
- Protein
- Fats
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins
- Minerals
You can read more detail about puppy nutrition in our article Puppy Nutrition: What and how much should they eat?
Are you struggling with puppy feeding?
Knowing how much and what to feed your puppy can be overwhelming. If you’re struggling, our puppy feeding guide will be a good help.
We know all about the rollercoaster of raising a healthy and happy puppy – but you can totally trust Zigzag to help that rollercoaster be actually somewhat enjoyable and smooth. Whether you are concerned about feeding, training or general health, the Zigzag app contains everything you need to know to raise a super confident, happy, healthy pup – we even have a wonderful team of puppy coaches who are happy to help you 24/7 in case you run into any trouble. Come on then, download Zigzag to start your free trial today, and enjoy the ride!
FAQs
Is vegetarian dog food healthy for dogs?
According to the BVA, there isn’t enough evidence or scientific research about this to determine if a vegetarian diet is good for dogs. With any diet or change in diet it’s always best to seek advice from your vet who can look at your individual puppies needs and advise accordingly.
What vegetarian food can I feed my puppy?
There are many commercially produced vegetarian and vegan puppy foods on the market. Dogs can eat and process many vegetables and eggs, but these don’t replace the essential vitamins and minerals found in meat.
Does my puppy need meat/fish?
Your puppy needs a good balanced nutritious diet. Meat and fish contain many vitamins and minerals that your puppy or dog will need in order to grow and learn.
