Has anyone heard of a dog that cannot eat any meat or fish? I had never come across it before, although I have come across people who choose to feed their dogs on a vegi diet. I can only assume that this dog is having problems with either fats or protein? 

Anyone come across this?

Yes I've had one. Long story but essentially it was a food allergy. He would get serious wet excema/hot spots all over (staphyloccocus) if he ever had meat or fish. Half a dropped meatball did it once.

Wow Goldmali It just struck me as really odd. This dog has the runs something dreadful if it goes anywhere near meat or fish.

How did you manage to give it a balanced diet?

Well it was extremely difficult, and I'm not sure if the diet WAS balanced enough...but it was all done in conjunction with my vet (she was the one who worked our the diet). Essentially he was fed on rice, other grains (boiled to a porridge), vegetables, potatoes, bread and also pancake for the protein in the eggs and milk. Vitamins and calcium and corn oil added.

One of the reasons that this chap has spoken to me is that his vet has the dog on a complete food, which is costing almost £60 per month. However they do not appear to have done any tests as to what exactly the dog is reacting to, they have just spent the first 14 months of its life switching it around different commercial foods. Since the dog is still not doing 'well' on this diet and is a working dog he has concerns about being able to keep weight on her during the season. 

Have they done tests to check that there isn't a problem wth for instance pancreas? Sounds like it could be a possibility.

Yep it does sound as if they are treating the symptoms rather than the cause :(

I will have to sit down and have a proper conversation with him (and possibly his vet). At the moment it has been snatched bits of conversations in between other things, which is not really enough. Thinking about it I dont see why they couldnt try something like cottage cheese, porridge or cooked veg to boost the complete food and make it go a bit further - lord knows that for that money it could be living off of prime steak if it wasnt allergic!     

I have one that cannot touch cooked lamb, makes her sick with the runs.  Okay with other meats in very small quantities.  Too much and she gets the runs.  Fine with commercial dog food though.  Always been like that since we've had her from 13 months old.

Years ago an acquaintance of mine had a GSD who was allergic to meat, poultry and fish. It's a long time ago, but I remember she fed him on either Wafcol Vegetarian or Happidog.

Also worth remembering, that some dogs may have a HORRIBLE reaction to cooked meats and meats that are processed into dog food, but be fine with raw meats.

The opposite is also sometimes true!

Id be advising the person tos ee a vet who treats teh problem, not the symptoms!

Em