Vegan/vegetarian dog and cat food?

Question

Do you believe it's ok to feed natural meat eating dogs and cats a diet without any meat in it?

I USED to be a member of PETA before I discovered http://www.petakillsanimals.com - why does PETA euthanize the animals that come into its care? It could extremely easily afford to make a nonkill shelter - instead they choose to take the way that's not as expensive. Kill them.

Therefore I am reluctant to believe them. I AM a vegetarian, but was one BEFORE I found PETA. I was absolutely outraged when I read that PETA recommends feeding meatless diets to pets! Dogs and cats NEED meat.

What's your opinion on feeding vegetarian vs. meat pet food to dogs and cats?

Answer 1

Dogs do not need meat, their food can be formulated without meat as they are omnivores and kibble is still kibble.

Cats can be fed vegan and meat-based food to reduce the amount needed but every cat is different and most vegetarian pet food companies advise extreme caution and the highest level of attention when trying a partially vegan diet with cats.

http://www.vegancats.com/pages/1007/FAQ....

Answer 2

If all you people have nothing better to worry about, it's all sad. Just because you're a bleeding heart who doesn't understand the food chain, doesn't mean Fluffy should suffer. And by the way, PETA is a load of c**p. Complete and utter c**p. And yes, they do have animals euthanized. For a complete mind-blower, watch Penn and Teller's BS episode where they talk about animal rights groups. It's probably on youtube. While you're at it, watch all the episodes.

P.S.

If you support PETA and own a pet, guess what? PETA tries to make it illegal to own pets, operate zoos, horse racing and anything else that requires domestic animals. They are calling for total animal liberation. So chew on that.

Answer 3

Honestly, it is natural for dogs and cats to eat meat.  They do in the wild.  It isn't fair to make that decision for them.  They need the protien.  If you feel THAT strongly about it, I very much suggest that you should talk to a vet before making such a dietary change to ensure that your pet gets all that they need out of their food.

Answer 4

To Krystal, nobody said eating meat was a crime, though as much as you may not like to believe it, cruelty is. If anyone were to treat a dog or cat like we, as a society, treat livestock they would be sent to jail.

I'd like to see the source of which you've gathered your information about PETA. You sound like a confused person. Go and get an education! We are trying to reduce animal suffering, and instead of breathing down our necks with your negativity - join the cause!

If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Didn't your mother teach you that? A little etiquette would do you know harm either. Learn some manners.

Answer 5

Dogs can live on a meatless diet, very few of them look healthy though.  Cats can't live without meat.  If anyone claims to have a healthy vegan cat it's only because it is eating lots of birds and mice when they are not looking.

Answer 6

Most of the pet food we give to our pets are man-made food. We now have ways to create vegan pet foods with all the nutrients we need to raise happy and healthy vegan cats and dogs.

Since most of us give our pets man-made food, I don't think it would be an issue if we do not give them meat as long as the pet food we give them has all the nutrients they need.

When people say dogs and cats NEED MEAT, it would be more correct to say they need certain nutrients from meat. As long as you find a non-meat substitute for these nutrients, it would be as good or better than meat-based pet food.

Meat-based pet food does not always mean it is good for pets. Just last year, we had a major pet food recall. Cats and dogs can die eating crappy meat-based pet food just like they would die eating crappy vegan food. It has to be good quality.

I would like to stress that domestic cats and dogs have been living with humans for thousands of years. Comparing them to their animal ancestors is irrelevant. They are no longer the same as them. I can't stand it when people say "cats and dogs in the wild". They aren't wild animals any more. They are tamed domestic animals. They have evolved and adapted to eat the food we give them. It is natural for them to eat the food we give them and live in our homes.

Answer 7

There are many health cats and dogs that consume vegetarian diets. In fact, one of the oldest dogs (that will probably make history in a few years) is a vegetarian (http://dogsinthenews.com/issues/0209/art...

For a long time, everyone thought people had to eat meat too (oh wait, a lot still do). But...isn't it strange that there are a lot of vegetarians roaming this planet that are...*gasp* alive and healthy??? Amazing...must be a miracle because everyone believes it just can't be. My point is, obviously, if there are both humans and dogs that are vegetarian and healthy- I don't see what the problem is. Diets in both need to be adequate and you need to measure how health and behaviour is after any dietary change.

As for if it is right for your animal to eat meat or not is a personal decision just as your own diet is. However, pets, like children, should be fed properly. I see some people saying it is wrong to force a vegetarian diet upon your pet HOWEVER, you control their food and environment as you think is healthy and appropriate so this is no different than making sure your pet gets proper nutrition, walks, etc. You, as a pet owner, are EXPECTED to force (healthy) food upon your pet in proper proportions.

As for PETA and your attitude, I don't know why it is even in this question. You could have just asked about dogs/cats eating vegetarian diets.

Answer 8

Nope. Dogs need meat. Just as you and I need our food groups, without meat, you will end up with a very sick and starving animal.

Answer 9

Dogs and cats live off meat both domestically and non domestically.  You need to feed them thier natural diet or else you are asking for health issues. Please do not let your personal issues get in the way of your pets diet

Answer 10

I agree that meat eating animals need meat.

There are essential amino acids, among other things, that our pets need that can only be had from high quality protein--which is mostly meat.

It would be inhumane to withold what nature meant for them to have.

Answer 11

Just so you know, that anti-PETA site was created by a front group for the meat, alcohol, and tobacco industries. The organization is trying to scare people away from supporting animal protection groups. It has attacked groups like Greenpeace, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and even the American Medical Association! More info: http://consumerdeception.com/

PETA refers adoptable animals to well-known shelters with a high rate of public traffic. People don't drop off healthy animals at PETA's office (since PETA doesn't have an adoption service). The organization deals with the worst of the worst situations -- animals who are suffering from injuries, ravaged with diseases, are dangerously aggressive, etc. Also, PETA focuses its resources on spaying & neutering animals to prevent animal overpopulation and homelessness. Its mobile spay and neuter clinic provides free and low-cost spay & neuter surgeries -- almost 45,000 to date.

Puppy mills, breeders, pet stores, and people who refuse to fix their pets are the problem.

Anyway, I know someone with vegetarian dogs and they seem very healthy and energetic. Dogs are omnivorous like us, so it's easy to feed dogs a well-balanced vegetarian diet. With cats it's a little more tricky because they need taurine, and cats are more finicky. I personally feed my cats meat.

You might be interested in this article:

Vegetable-Eating Dog Lives to Ripe Old Age of 27

http://www.dogsinthenews.com/issues/0209...

"An exclusively vegetarian diet of 'rice, lentils and organic vegetables every evening,' coupled with good exercise, has propelled 'Bramble' the Collie into her 28th year.  Guinness World Records is currently considering whether that makes her the oldest living dog in the world."

Answer 12

I am fine with it if people want to be a vegetarian but to force their beliefs on animals is just wrong. You wouldn't throw a piece of beef to a horse and expect them to eat it and thrive. Nature has decided what animals eat and to think that we are so far above nature to think that we should decide who eats what is wrong. Imagine if zoos put tigers and lions on a vegetarian diet, people would be outraged and those animals wouldn't live as long as they should.

If you can't stomach feeding your pet what they should be eating then you shouldn't have that kind of animal as a pet.

Edit: To the answerer above me, dogs do indeed NEED MEAT. To just give them the nutrients from meat is not enough. Dogs need a high amount of protein and their digestive systems are not equipped to break down plant protein. Without a meat source in their diet they do not get an adequate amount of proetin and their organs, muscles and other systems suffer. Do a little research, dogs do not have the long digestive system of an omnivore that is required to properly break down plant proteins, they have the short digestive system of a carnivore.

It's not okay to feed a dog vegetarian just because it is fortified with vitamins. And no, they have not evolved to eat whatever we give them, they have evolved to continue to eat a MEAT based diet. Just because they can survive on a vegetarian diet does not mean they will thrive.