Are Pets and Veg Compatible?

I was just curious to hear some views from you fellow vegans/vegetarians out there on  pets. Do you feel it coincides with a non-meat diet and the ethics that are involved?

Also, if you do have pets; I've recently been hearing a lot about vegetarian dog and cat food. Does anyone use this to feed their animal friends? I was considering whether or not it is a healthy diet for our canine and feline buddies, especially because these animals are naturally (as far as I know) carnivorous. Any thoughts or insights?

-Crystal

Re: Are Pets and Veg Compatible?

I think pets are very compatible with the veg lifestyle if you are getting an animal from a shelter or something similar. I wouldn't feel right about getting a dog from a breeder or giving my money to a pet store. Pet stores are usually really sad places to be.

In terms of veggie pets, I know that it's pretty easy for dogs to be vegan. It's a little more tricky for cats. But, contrary to popular belief, they can get taurine from veggie food. Almost all taurine in normal cat food is synthetic, according to this book, Obligate Carnivore which is a pretty good & quick read. You just want to be informed and educate yourself on the subject if you're planning on having a veggie pet. My friend Ravi has had vegan dogs and cats and I learned a lot from him on the subject. I just can't reason myself through the idea that it's okay for many animals to die so that my particular pet can live and eat them, especially when there are alternatives.

Re: Are Pets and Veg Compatible?

I know this post is very outdated, and will be surprised if anyone reads this.  Still, it is cruel to enfore your beliefs on an animal that naturally eats meat.  I think you should encourage eating vegetables and fruits that are compatible with your pet's body, but to strictly enforce it is rather silly.  It is important to research your animal's natural diet, and try to mimick that as much as possibly for a healthy and happy friend.

Re: Are Pets and Veg Compatible?

Marcy, one should discuss everything - it is good to do so. I look forward to seeing others participate in this discussion.

I do not know much about 'pet food' and how it is made. But have often wondered about the food we give our the animals who live with us. Mostly it is bought, packaged, not that fresh anymore and they get fed the same food day after day. I have wondered what the biscuits/tins, etc of pet food contain and how close it is the the natural diet of the animal.

love

Re: Are Pets and Veg Compatible?

My friend's dogs were fed vegetarian food and lived to be a ripe old age. Fresh food was cooked for them daily - wheat bread [called roti in India] and milk and perhaps more variety that I can check with her and find out.

Re: Are Pets and Veg Compatible?

This works for pets. & this site on Bach's Flowers
It is natural and is Calm… for things that may be missing from their diets in any food and it's not a “med”.

Thanks for starting a thread on this.

Re: Are Pets and Veg Compatible?

Thanks for these.

Re: Are Pets and Veg Compatible?

When my daughter was young(she's 23 now) we had a pet rat.
We fed him only fruit,veggies and whole grains(cheerio's, because they were cheaper than regular feed) and he out lived his littermates by three years!
this should have been a clue for me then.