h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was wondering if anyone had any information/knowledge about keeping pets (specifically in this case, a dog) on a vegetarian diet?

My dog will eat just about anything(!), but it is obviously important to meet the nutritional requirements of an animal that is naturally carnivorous.

Not only is opening tins of dog food/meat one of my most odious daily tasks, but I think the faeces of a vegetarian dog is likely to be pleasanter and less hazardous to humans.

Any advice/info gratefully received.

~A~

Hi Pegasus.

My dogs are almost vegetarian. I feed them on Vitalin and Pascoe's Original, mainly. It's like museli. It's not 100% vege. It's easier to cope with than cans of meat or boiled ox cheek, tripe and other such ghastly stuff. My last 2 dogs lived till they were 14 and 17 on the same diet, so obviously, it's perfectly healthy.

Hi Sal.

Tripe! *shudder*

Is it dried food you're talking about? I've tried my dog on dried food before without much success, whether dry or moistened. Macaroni cheese and pizza seem to be appreciated though, and the occasional curry!.

I suppose what I had in mind was a diet of 'leftovers' of the veggie kind, with perhaps an egg or so thrown in to keep up the protein levels. The dog seems to get all the scraps anyway, in addition to dog food, hence the currently rather 'solid' build. *I do of course mean the dog's!*

~A~

Yes, I think we're probably talking about the same sort of stuff. The Vitalin and Pascoe's are mainly cereal flakes but with other stuff in it. You add boiling water and it swells (a bit like porridge), you give it a stir when it's cooled down (my dogs like it warm) and that's it.

Left overs are also very popular with them. Their favourite is pasta. I think that up until 20 or 30 years ago, most dogs got mainly left overs. Anyway, they're omnivores so as long as they get plenty of variety, they should do ok. I also give mine a Bob Martin condition pill every morning. Spoilt brats

I don't think I've tried serving it warm, so perhaps that might work. My dog certainly prefers warm chips to cold ones! And pasta is a definite favourite.

I wonder if vegetarian cats are possible? A cat is next on the list to swell the family, then it's back to square one on the tinned meat front! *yuck*

St.~A~

Hello again Pegasus.

I don't think you'll manage to have a vegetarian cat. Their nutritional needs are quite different to a dog's. Cats really are almost 100% carnivore in a state of nature whereas dogs really are omnivores.

If you feed a dog on cat food (which has more protein in it) they're likely to get kidney problems because they need veg in their diet and too much protein is bad for them. If you feed a cat on a vegetarian diet, they'll just go and catch their own food and they might even leave home if some friendly neighbour gives them meat.

Good luck with the dog's diet. I sometimes put a bit of grated cheese in with my dogs' food or a bit of scrambled or boiled, mashed egg - you know, just for a treat.

Sal

If you live in the UK, Pegasus, may I suggest you try "Happidog" dog food. I fed two large dogs (a Rough Collie and cross border collie) for years using "Happidog". Both dogs loved it, were disgustingly healthy and lived to a ripe old age (they also didn't have smelly farts! ).

Your local pet shop may be able to order it for you if they don't keep it in stock, as mine has done. However, when I used to live in Hampshire, I had it delivered directly from the manufacturer.

Below is information that I have copied from: http://www.veggies.org.uk/acd/europe/uk/trading.htm

HAPPIDOG PETFOODS
Top Number Feeds Ltd 1 Fulbeck Road
Aycliffe Ind. Park
NEWTON AYCLIFFE
County Durham
DL5 6TX
Tel: 01325 311444 / Fax: 01325 313311

Vegetarian dog food (vegan on request).
Puppy weaning food: 'Happipup'.
Crunchy nuggets.

Believed to be sympathetic to the promotion of veganism, or to supply vegan goods or services, but may not have any vegan proprietor, or might not be predominantly vegan.


Good luck and do please let me know how you fare!

Thanks Gwennie. That sounds interesting. I'll look out for it.

Cats... yes I know. Maybe that's why I'm not so keen on one of our own any more. But then I do love them... still miss mine, who's been dead and gone many years now.

Perhaps I should just stick with nice vegetarian horses.

~A~

PS (Or find someone else to feed the cat for me)

I believe it's possible to find vegetarian recipes for, or suppliers of vegetarian cat food and seem to remember reading about it in the past. However, I have five moggies (I'm "game for a tin" and end up taking in all sorts of waifs and strays) that are all fed with regular cat food. I don't enjoy feeding them meat, but they are carnivores after all, so look on it as a necessity. Besides, my hubby eats meat so I'm quite used to handling and preparing the yucky stuff!

You're very brave. 'Preparing' meat is something I definitely couldn't stomach. Mind you, if my daughter wants a cat, I guess she can have the job of feeding it. *until the novelty wears off... about a week later!*

~A~

LOL! Believe me, a litter tray is far worse than the tins of cat food and if you get a cat/kitten, don't give it milk because it will get diarrhoea, which will make this chore even more unpleasant! There are lactose reduced cat/kitten milks available that are available in pet stores or supermarkets, but are rather expensive. Also, make sure that there's plenty of water available, especially if you use cat biscuits to feed your cat/kitten.

Try contacting your local branch of the Cat's Protection League/Blue Cross/RSPCA as they always have cats/kittens that need homing.

Gwennie! I can't believe you used the word "fart" in a posting! Frankly, I'm shocked!!
OK. Cats. I give mine tinned meat (yuk) and mostly push the feeding and litter emptying on to the other half. Some types (you have to be careful here) of dried cat food are a "complete" food, and as long as the moggy has a goodly supply of water.
And, if a cat goes outside anyway, they're bound to catch and (not always) eat little furry creatures. It's their nature.

And at the top of this Forum, I couldn't help but laugh at the idea that a veggie diet for a dog would stop his "poo" or "farts" (sorry, IRL i'm very dainty ) from smelling. Most dogs I know love sprouts. 'nuff said.

I'm soooooo sorry that I offended your "dainty" senses young Sho!


Would one rather I had used the term "botty burps" in place of "farts"???

*Reaches for some air freshener*

We (that is my girlies and I) use the expression "trumpy bum" much to the amusement of our German neighbours

(first post from my brand spanking new computer - yaayyyy! h2g2 at home, at last )

We (that is my girlies and I) use the expression "trumpy bum" much to the amusement of our German neighbours

(first post from my brand spanking new computer - yaayyyy! h2g2 at home, at last )

Congratulations! I can tell you're enthusiastic because you posted twice! LOL

I thought you must have your new "toy" as I just stumbled across your last posting at Greebo's party! Have you still got the same Email address at home and did you get my last one of a couple of days ago?

My neighbours are moving house and are trying to find a home for their two puss-cats. I dearly wish I could take them in but that would mean that us having seven cats and I'm not sure John would wear that... *sighs*

Why can't they take them with them????? I (and I don't want to upset you if your neighbours are good friends) get really mad when people just "get rid" of pets. We schlepped our cat all around Germany and the UK, and when he died I was devastated. I will accept some circumstances (ie. if one of your children has an allergy) but ....... ah, don't get me started.

I have the same e-mail address, and yes I got your message. When I stop playing with my new toy, and get the scanner up & running you'll hear from me.

btw: how do you cope with "dog breath" do you clean their teeth for them?

'Spect that Q was for Gwennie. Hope you don't mind my interference. Some dogs' breaths don't smell bad. If you have a dog with pongy breath you can use "breath busters" which are nice biscuits that my dogs love (even though only one actually needs them) and you can get several other types of dog treats that improve the breath smell.

Oh, yes it was. But it's a general question too.
Regarding dogbreath: I used to see ads for dog toothpaste. Liver flavoured. I could never work out how that would "improve" the smell. Yeuucchhhh!