While most dog foods contain protein from meat sources, you can switch your dog to a vegetarian diet if it contains sufficient amounts of other types of protein. As omnivores, dogs can live on a meatless diet made up of vegetables, eggs, beans and dairy products like cheese. With a slow transition to his new food, your dog can acclimate to his new diet with little gastrointestinal distress. Monitor your dog through this process and during the initial transition to see that he tolerates his new food well and does not have any food allergies to the vegetarian diet.
Step 1
Speak with your veterinarian about the ingredients in the food you plan to feed to your dog. Ask her what the amounts of nutrients, not provided by vegetarian sources, are needed to supplement your dog's diet. Homemade vegetarian foods will require specific supplementation with vitamins, amino acids and minerals.
If your dog suffers from a chronic, debilitating condition such as kidney disease or diabetes, ask your veterinarian if a meatless, lower-protein diet is appropriate for him.
Step 2
Purchase ready-made vegetarian dog food, which usually requires no supplementation, or make the food yourself. Choose a commercially made vegetarian diet that has been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials to ensure it is nutritionally complete for your dog, recommends the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. AAFCO conducts food trials to ensure that a dog food contains all of the necessary ingredients to sustain a healthy dog.
If making the food, add pre-made vegetarian dog food supplements, typically found in pet supply stores or through an Internet retailer. Ask the retailer if these supplements have been approved by a veterinarian or AAFCO.
Step 3
Slowly introduce the new food to your dog over the period of two weeks to a month. This will lessen any stomach upset in reaction to the new food. Feed your dog 1/4 of a portion of the new food mixed in with 3/4 of a portion of his existing food. Increase the amount of new food, and decrease the amount of old food, by 1/4 of a portion every three to five days, depending on how your dog reacts to the new food.
Transitioning to a canned variety of vegetarian food may take less time than switching to a dry version because canned food smells more appetizing to a dog.
If, at any point, your dog has loose stool or stomach upset, slow the process down and allow for a few extra days for each transition.
Step 4
Tempt your dog to try the new food, especially in larger amounts, by sprinkling grated cheese or chopped, hard-boiled eggs on top. These vegetarian ingredients provide extra protein for your dog and will encourage him to try the new food.
Step 5
Take your dog to a veterinarian to have a complete blood panel performed after one or two months on his new diet. This test will evaluate whether your dog is getting the nutrients he needs from his new food. The doctor will also physically examine your dog to evaluate his weight and coat for any signs of distress due to the new diet. Continue to monitor your dog's health with a veterinarian every six months.
Warnings
Vegetarian diets are only appropriate for adult dogs, not growing puppies under 1 year old. Younger dogs require greater amounts of protein in their diet from animal sources while still growing.
Without proper amounts of protein, and high amounts of vegetables, in your dog's new vegetarian diet, his urine can become alkaline, leading to the formation of crystals in his bladder and kidneys, according to the VetInfo website.
Tips
Provide your dog with fresh water at all times, especially during a dietary transition.
Nonmeat sources of protein to include or look for in a prepared diet are eggs, cheese, soy-based proteins like tofu, beans and legumes.
Warm your dog's new vegetarian diet for a few seconds in the microwave to enhance its scent to your dog, making it more desirable. For dry vegetarian kibble, add a bit of vegetable broth to it prior to heating. The food should be warm, not hot, to the touch.
An occasional serving of fish, such as jack mackerel, can help give your dog the protein and omega-3 fatty acids he needs.
Items You Will Need
- Vegetarian dog food
- Vegetarian dog food supplements
- Grated cheese
- Hard-boiled eggs
References
- PetPlace.com: Commonly Asked Questions About Dog Nutrition
- "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats"; Richard H. Pitcairn and Susan Hubble Pitcairn
- Best Friends Animal Society: Your Dog's Diet
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Vegetarian Dogs
- VetInfo: Dietary Kidney Stones Treatment for Dogs
- VetInfo: Vegetarian Canned Dog Food
Photo Credits
- naughty dog image by MichMac from Fotolia.com