The impact of food and pet food production on the environment is a hot topic recently, 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 giving you our take on vegetarian puppy food.
While you’re here, have you downloaded the Zigzag training app yet? If not, what are you waiting for? It’s a full training program tailored to your puppy’s breed type and life stage – we’ll walk you through all there is for you and your pup to know and learn. We also know how overwhelming puppy training can be, so if it all sounds like it’s too much, you can always reach out to our team of puppy coaches. They’re there to help you out 24/7, no matter what hiccup you’re trying to get over. Give it a try – download a free trial today; we can guarantee you’ll have no regrets.
Can dogs eat a vegetarian diet?
Yes, trends in human food consumption tend to trickle down to pet foods eventually. So with such a big wave of people turning to a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, it’s no surprise that more and more people have started wanting to feed their pets a meat-free diet.
But here’s the big question: Can dogs eat a vegetarian diet? Technically yes, they can. Dogs are omnivores so they eat and process both meat and plants. But the even bigger question is: should a dog eat a vegetarian diet?…
Should a dog eat a vegetarian diet?
Like your mum would say: Just because you can doesn’t always mean you should. While 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 purely vegetarian dog food. This is even more true for vegan diets. There are many vegetarian and vegan pet food products available in pet stores because of their rising demand, but there isn’t enough evidence available yet to determine how nutritious and filling they are for our dogs in the long term.
The pros and cons of vegetarian dog food for puppies
Pros
- Goes well with owners who live a meat-free lifestyle
- Sustainable and ethical
- A commercial vegetarian dog food is likely to be more balanced than trying to make a homemade vegetarian diet for your dog.
Cons
- Currently insufficient research and evidence to determine how healthy and nutritious vegetarian food is for puppies and dogs
- There are deficiencies in minerals that would normally be 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.
- Commercial vegetarian dog foods will often contain supplements to cover what they lack nutritionally. There’s not enough research to determine how good these are for our pets in the long term.
Essential nutrients and nutrition for your puppy
Puppies need a good balance of essential nutrients to make sure they can grow and develop properly. Puppies and adult dogs also need good nutritional balance to learn, so it’s really important that whatever type of diet you feed your puppy, it’s balanced well nutritionally.
The six essential nutrients that puppies require every day are:
- Water
- Protein
- Fats
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins
- Minerals
We’ve got a lot more information about this you’ll find useful in our article: Puppy Nutrition: What and how much should they eat?
Are you struggling with puppy feeding?
It’s actually not as easy as you think to know how much and what to feed your puppy. Some people can get quickly overwhelmed by this…but if you’re struggling, you’re in luck. Our puppy feeding guide will tell you everything you need to know.
We know all about the rollercoaster of raising a healthy and happy puppy – but you can totally trust Zigzag to help that rollercoaster actually be at least smooth. If you have questions on feeding, training or general health or anything else puppy-related, the Zigzag app will have everything you need to know. Our team of puppy coaches will always be there to catch you when you stumble – just a text or call away, 24/7. Trust us – you’ll raise a puppy to become a super confident, happy and healthy pup much faster than you think. You can do it!
FAQs
Is vegetarian dog food healthy for dogs?
According to the BVA, there’s not enough evidence or research about this to say if a vegetarian diet is good for dogs. But what we do know is that with any diet or change in diet, it’s always best to ask your vet for their opinion. They’ll be able to look at your puppy’s own needs and give you some good pointers according to what they see.
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 you find 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.
