Vegetarian Dog Food - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
Like humans, dogs are omnivores, meaning they can thrive on a well-balanced vegetarian or vegan diet. If you want or need to feed your dog a vegetarian diet, a commercial vegetarian dog food is your best bet, as it will be complete and balanced to contain all the nutrients your dog needs. Many people feed their dogs vegetarian food to be ethical, which is an entirely valid choice, but it's also worth noting that meat protein is one of the most commonly allergenic foods for dogs, so you may need to eliminate meat from your dog's diet for his health.
When looking for the best vegetarian food for your canine companion, there's a lot to consider. You will need to find out what protein source the food contains and look at the overall quality of the ingredients. There are also decisions to be made, such as whether you want wet food, dry food, a complete dog food or a Mixed
We've selected our best vegetarian dog foods for you to peruse. If you're not ready to buy just yet, read on for our complete guide to vegetarian dog food.
Key Considerations
- Protein
If you're a vegetarian or vegan yourself, you've probably been asked the classic question, "Where do you get your protein from?" Now it's time to find out where your dog gets his protein from when he eats a vegetarian food. The good news is that there are plenty of vegetarian protein sources.
Many vegetarian dog foods contain legumes such as green peas, chickpeas, and other beans. They are all excellent sources of protein, and have the added bonus of being vegan, too. If you're not worried about your dog's food being vegan, eggs are another great source of protein. It is easily digestible, making it ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Of course, grains, starches, fruits, and vegetables also contain some protein, so most of the ingredients in your dog's food will add to the total protein content.
- Wet vs. Dried
You can find both vegetarian wet dog food and vegetarian dry dog food. You can choose to feed one type exclusively or a mix of both.
Wet dog food is ideal for puppies, small dogs and older dogs that have trouble eating kibble, thanks to its smooth texture. That said, any dog can eat wet food. Some dogs find it tastier than dry food, making it ideal for picky eaters. On the downside, it is more expensive than dry food and needs refrigeration once opened.
Dry dog food is easy to keep fresh, lasts a long time once opened, and costs less than wet food. This is especially worth considering if you're feeding large dogs that require a lot of food. However, some dogs find eating dry food boring as each piece has the same taste and texture.
Complete Food vs. Mixed
It is important to know the difference between a whole food and a Mixer. A complete food contains all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to stay healthy. If you feed a complete food, that is all your dog needs to eat.
Mixerd can also be called enhancers or base mixes. They are foods designed to be mixed with other ingredients to form a balanced diet. Unless you... are well versed in canine nutrition, we recommend avoiding mixes.
Characteristic
- Taurine and l-carnitine
Taurine and l-carnitine are both amino acids. They are not listed as essential amino acids, so not all vegetarian dog foods contain them. However, current research suggests that a deficiency of taurine or l-carnitine may be detrimental to heart health, particularly in breeds prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This includes Doberman pinschers, boxers, and golden retrievers.
- Palatability
Dogs are individuals with their own tastes and preferences, so it's difficult to gauge palatability just by looking at a product. However, vegetarian dog food tends to include natural flavors like brewer's yeast to increase palatability.
Tips
Know that not all dogs thrive on all foods. Name a dog food that objectively has premium ingredients, and we'll find you a dog that just doesn't like it. There can be some trial and error in finding the right food for your dog, so if you don't like the first vegetarian food you buy, try another brand.
Avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Dog foods that contain these artificial ingredients are often not of the best quality.
Find the correct serving size for your dog. Check the package to find the recommended serving size for your dog's weight, but remember that this is only a guide. Monitor your dog's weight for a few months after the food change. Adjust portion sizes accordingly if you notice undesirable weight gain or loss.
Don't be afraid of pimples. In recent years, there's been a trend toward grain-free dog food, but there's no need to avoid grains unless your dog is allergic to them (which is much less common than meat allergies). In fact, current research suggests that a grain-free diet may be detrimental to canine health.
Other Products We Consider
You've seen our favorite vegetarian dog food, but we've found some more great options during our research. Drools Vegetarian Adult Dry Dog Food is specifically designed to maintain healthy skin and coat, with added omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The ingredients are predominantly vegetarian, except for vitamin D3. There is a vegetarian recipe and a venison recipe, so be careful to choose the right one.
Meat Up Veg Adult Dry Dog Food uses a completely vegan formula consisting predominantly of brown rice, oats, peas, and barley. Taurine and l-carnitine have been added for heart health. Most dogs love the taste, and there are many reports that it improves allergies.
FAQ
Some worry that their dog will not like the taste of vegetarian food when switched from a standard food that contains meat. Commercial dog food that contains meat does not actually contain a large amount of meat, usually between 30% and 40%. Therefore, your dog may not even know the difference, flavor-wise, between vegetarian and meat-containing dog food, especially if he's used to eating dry dog food, which typically contains large amounts of grains and starches.
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