Hi all

I have had a puppy enquiry from what sounds like an ideal home, the only draw back is that for religious reasons the dog will have to be fed a vegetarian diet.

I know of several veggie dog foods for adult dogs but not a puppy food. Does anyone know of any?

Kate

If it is the ideal home and knowing that their religious beliefs mean that they will not be able to feed any puppy they acquire meat, have they not looked in to what they intend to feed a puppy before checking for the availability of puppies?

Dogs are naturally carnivorous - surely you shouldnt impose that on a dog ??
Lel

I would be interested in finding out which Religion prohibits letting a carnivore eating meat :) Maybe something for you to check into before parting with a puppy?

I know that a fair few children every year end up in hospital because their parents don't have a full understanding of a growing babies needs. Whilst I am aware that a child CAN be bought up as a vegetarian , it does take very careful thought and substitution ...I would think it would be even more important for a puppy who is a carnivore rather than omniverous like humans

Melody :)

I don't think that it is that the religion prohibits the dogs eating meat, rather that the person can't handle it. I have a veggie friend who manages to feed raw AMP meat - but can't bring herself to give chicken wings etc. She only gives raw bones outside in the garden. She forces herself to do it for the dog, but it isn't a religious thing. These people maybe Hindu - they are veggies.

Daisy

Hi Daisy ..in that case , I would suggest they feed a complete ....they wouldn't have to handle meat as such. The puppies welfare is going to be your first concern , naturally enough , and personally I would be quite worried if they were thinking of feeding a growing pup a vegetarian food. I know there are Veggy completes available for when the pups have finished their growing ...but you will need to have a google on a Search Engine to find out further info

Melody :)

I'm vegetarian, but i feed my dogs a complete (non vegetarian) diet. I will occasionally give meat, however there are some meats and fish that i cannot bear to be in the house.
I have never heard of children, who have been fed a vegetarian diet, to be poorly because of this. Just because i don't eat meat or fish doesn't mean to say that i don't get all the vitamins i need. I've been veggy now for 13 years and have had no side affects from this whatsoever.
However, being vegan is a different kettle of fish (excuse the pun). Children who are fed this diet by parents who don't fully understand nutrition, can become very ill.
Wafcol do a complete vegetarian food. I've never tried it, and do not know of anyone who has.
Please don't pre judge these people just because they are veggy. Alot of us are seen as cranks, i'm not, i'm just your ordinary/average person.
Maybe suggest that they look into a vegetarian diet for dogs before they decide. Also you could do some research into diets before making your mind up.

Snoopy, no one was pre-judging anyone and no one has suggested that vegetarians or anyone else are cranks :-) I think the main concern in this thread is one of the nutritional requirements of puppies. Is there such a thing as a vegetarian puppy food and if not, why not? If there is not, then maybe that tells us all we need to know?

Admin i didn't suggest that anyone on cd was calling vegetarians cranks.
Wafcol do a puppy food, if this helps. Also the vegetarian society for the uk have info on feeding pups a vegetarian diet.
I personally wouldn't consider this, why should i enforce my views on my dogs. However, i don't see any reason for others not to feed their dogs a veggie diet.
I was just giving my view being a vegetarian.
Maybe there is a lack of vegetarian puppy food because there's no market for it. Like i said i don't know of anyone who feeds their dog a veggie diet.

Thank you for the information Snoopy. I looked at the site you recommended and found this:Dogs - A Vegetarian Diet?

Hi Kate,

From what I've read - i.e. I'm not claiming any techie knowledge on this myself - as dogs are omnivores rather than carnivores, they can be fine on a veggie diet. Re. your concerns on the growing period, why not have a chat with Wafcol about supplementing their adult vegetarian with such things as cheese and eggs, and fish if they are prepared to use that? May not be appropriate, but perhaps worth a little investigation?

M.

Thank you for your replies - both the helpful and the slightly sarcastic!

I am a vegetarian myself and have been for over 15 years. I am perfectly aware that maintaining a healthly vegetarian diet isn't just a case of eating vegetables. My dogs are not vegetarian and are fed complete food and fresh meat - which I do not have any objections cooking/handling etc.

The family interested in the puppy are very strict Hindus. Not only do they themselves not eat meat but they are not allowed to handle meat or any animal products (including leather, suede etc) nor are they allowed any meat or meat based products in the home.

As someone who used to work in a vets I am aware that some dogs do have an intolerance to meat and can survive perfectly well on a balanced vegetarian diet. However, these were adults not puppies.

My main concern is ensuring that the puppy gets a balanced diet which will help them grow and mature into a healthy adult.

Kate

Kate , did you check out the link that Admin gave you?

Melody :)

thank you, yes I did and sent it on
thanx
Kate