I am a Vegetarian..My dog is not.

I had guests over to my house one night, everyone was milling around, chatting when one guest went to the freezer to get more ice. He returned with a perplexed look on his face and said "You said you were a Vegetarian...but your freezer is full of meat!"

I'm a vegetarian...my dog is not.

Dogs are Carnivores

Recently, there seems to be a large spike in vegetarian and even vegan dog foods. This is extremely unsettling to me as a nutritionist and as a trainer. Many pet food companies, veterinarians & canine experts are leading people to believe that dogs are omnivores, and as such, can survive quite well on a vegetarian or vegan diet much like humans who choose to eat this way. This statement is not only wrong, it has the potential to cause long-term harm to your pup. Vegetarian/Vegan dog foods are full of supplements and synthetic vitamins to try and make up for nutrients that are missing from the food itself. I think we all know that the best way to get our vitamins/minerals and essential nutrients is from whole fresh foods...this is just as true for your dog! Fresh, whole food for your dog means feeding a species appropriate raw diet including raw meaty bones & organs.

(Read more about the Myth of Dogs as Omnivores)

I am a Vegetarian

I have been a vegetarian for many years. And even before I excluded meat all together from my diet, I didn't consume much of it. I've never had a rack of ribs, and never eaten a steak. I made this conscious decision for myself. But what about your dog? As your dog's guardian, you make this decision for them. Many vegetarians have chosen this diet because they refuse to support the horrific practice of factory farming and the egregious suffering of animals raised for human consumption. So it would make sense that many vegetarians carry these same values over to their dog food purchases. I applaud the idea.

Thriving? Meh..

I have met many vegetarian & vegan fed dogs. Often the owners are very quick to point out all the benefits they have seen since switching to this diet. I can honestly say that I have never met a vegetarian/vegan fed dog that looked as if they were thriving. Shiny coats, sparkling eyes, spunk in their step? Hardly. Often I see dull coat, skin & eyes, itching, and more. While many owners claim that their dogs do much better on this diet...it begs the question...much better than what? Quite possibly the diet they were on previously, but better than a species appropriate raw diet, no.

You feed what?

While I will always advocate a prey model diet for your dog, I understand that many people cannot make this diet a reality for a variety of reasons. Whatever choice you make for your dog, you have the power to make one you can feel good about! Whether you feed a dry dog food, freeze-dried raw, dehydrated or wet food, take the time to investigate the company. Things to look for:

- Where does the meat come from? Many companies process their treats & food in USA with meat from China. Always check the fine print!

- How was the meat-raised? Look for specific phrases like cage-free, free-range, organic, minimally-processed, hormone & antibiotic free. Words like 'naural' and 'healthy' don't cut it.

- Where was the food processed & how? A high-quality food should be processed in a high-quality facility to maintain it's integrity. Not sure about where to find this info? The store or boutique you purchase your food from should be able to give you this information. You can also call the pet food company and ask them directly about their manufacturing processes. Questions to ask: Do they outsource the manufacturing? Does the manufacturing plant process any other foods?

Happy Healthy Pup

Choosing a high-quality food that uses humane processes to raise & farm it's animals for your pet's consumption will not only ensure you feel better about the choice you have made on behalf of your carnivore, it will also be a healthier option for them! Here's to making conscious food decisions for a Happy Healthy Pup!

www.HappyHealthyPup.com