Vegetarian Dog Diet

You have recently welcomed a furry companion into your home.  Your four-legged friend has adopted you as her own.  Now that you have become a true pet owner, you need to decide what to feed your pet.  You eat a vegetarian diet, so you would like your new dog to follow these same guidelines.  Is a vegetarian diet right for your dog?

Let's take a look at what dogs eat in the wild.  A wolf or stray dog typically will kill an animal or scavenge until she finds an acceptable fare.  In the wild, a dog will consume grains and vegetables, but the dog's diet also contains meat.

Taking a look at your pet's teeth, you may notice that grinding and tearing surfaces are present.  This is one indication that dogs are omnivorous.  This means that dogs are biological meat and plant eaters.  Straying from nature can be a difficult task, but may not be impossible.

It can be possible to feed your dog solely vegetarian meals, but this type of diet is not typically recommended for your pet.  Your dog's diet must be well balanced and nutritious to support good health and optimal body function.  A completely vegetarian lifestyle may be perfect for you, but difficult to achieve for your dog.

A healthy diet should allow your pet to thrive not simply survive.  A vegetarian dog diet will, too frequently, result in a dog who shows signs and indications of a lesser quality of health than a dog fed a well balanced diet contain animal products.

Your dog's body requires high amounts of protein.  Protein is frequently provided through animal tissue and bones in the wild, as well as, in most varieties of manufactured dog diets.

Amino acids are also key to your dog's health.  Only 12 of the 22 essential amino acids can be produced by your dog's body.  The other 10 amino acids must be provided to your pet through your dog's diet.  A vegetarian dog diet has trouble meeting the requirements to allow your dog to thrive under these circumstances.

As with any change you would make to your own diet, you would want to consult your physician for medical advice.  Talk to a professional about the advantages and disadvantages of feeding a vegetarian dog diet to your pet.  Depending on your specific plan, he or she may be able to recommend some supplements to add to the prospective vegetarian diet that will create a healthy balance for your new furry friend.  If supplements are not available to create the healthy and balanced diet your dog deserves, then the two of you can discuss other options to determine a dog diet that works well for your pet and satisfies your lifestyle.

A vegetarian dog diet goes against nature so to speak and is typically not recommended for dogs.  Talking your situation over with a veterinarian will help you to determine the best way to achieve your dietary goals for your pet.  Your dog's diet must be well balanced and nutritious to provide essential nutrients and amino acids to your furry friend.  Supplementation may help you to achieve your goal.  Keep in mind that you and your vet both want what is best for your pet and you will undoubtedly determine a dog diet that works for your family.

A Dog's Diet Influences Oral Health

Your dog is your very best friend.  Every single time you walk through the door your dog is so happy to see you that he wags his tail and practically smiles at you.  How can you show your pet how much they mean to you?  Well, one way is to take care of that smile for your pet.  Did you know that your dog's diet can influence their oral health?

Humans need to brush and floss their teeth regularly to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums in good condition.  Research has recently shown a link between good oral health in humans and a lower risk of heart disease.  If good oral health can have such a profound affect on people, then it only makes sense to consider the impact it can have on man's best friend.

It is important to brush your dog's teeth frequently to keep plaque and tartar from becoming an issue.  Even wiping his gums with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial.  

Your dog's diet also plays a role in your pet's oral health.  Do you typically feed your dog canned or dry dog food?  What kind of treats and toys do you provide for your pet?  All of these things can affect the likelihood of trouble with your pet's teeth.

When your dog's diet is nutritionally sound, containing essential vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes, your pet's oral health will be at its very best.  Feeding dry dog food rather than a moist canned variety is best for your dog.  The tiny kibbles' hard surface rubs against the teeth to remove and reduce plaque.  The simple act of moistening the dry dog food with water or gravy eliminates this property from dry dog food.

The treats you give your pet are part of your dog's diet just like snacks are part of a person's diet.  As humans, we tend to want to overlook our snacking habits, so it can be easy to overlook the treats you give your dog.  This is not a good idea.  Carefully consider any and all items your dog will consume.  

Do you give your dog bones, rawhides, jerky treats, or dog biscuits?  Maybe your pet prefers greenies or corn starch chews.  You may not have considered it, but tossing Spot a rawhide chew is like giving him a candy bar.  The rawhide, for example, contains calories and is often provided between meals.  

Many of the treats and snacks you provide in your dog's diet can be just empty wasted calories.  Some treats, alternatively, provide excellent opportunity to improve oral health.  Greenies, rawhides, bones, and hard dog biscuits all help to keep tartar at bay.  The softer snacks, such as jerky treats, do not provide much relief from plaque.  The healthy treat, on occasion, will also prevent your dog from having bad breath.

Your dog's diet must be healthy to ensure excellent oral health.  Dry dog food is best whenever possible.  Don't forget to select treats for your pet that will enhance your dog's diet.  Consciously monitoring your dog's diet will positively influence your  best friend's oral health.