"Jasi" wrote in message
...
Hi, I'm new. By way of introduction, I'm Jasi, and I have a five year old
Chinese Shar-Pei named Musi. She's generally healthy except for some
seasonal allergies (not food related).
I'm curious whether anyone has any experience with feeding a dog a
completely vegetarian diet. I've been veg for years for religious
reasons. And while I don't believe in pushing my religious beliefs on
others - dogs included - I also don't like having meat products in my
home. More importantly, some of my guests (the all important Mother In
Law) are so appalled by the idea of meat that they are uncomfortable
visiting me. I've stopped feeding bones and animal based treats, which
was easy enough, but I'm not sure whether feeding a totally vegetarian
diet is OK health-wise.
Thoughts? Experiences? Flames?
-Jasi
The easy answer is, "No, dogs are not vegetarians." Which they aren't. But
I know a couple of dogs who were fed a vegetarian kibble and seem to do OK.
One of them is dead now (my sister's boxer), but the other one I know of
that's still living has terrible teeth, but he's a Shih Tzu, so he may have
bad teeth anyway. But he seems to be doing alright.
I have to wonder how your guests know what kind of food you're feeding your
dog? Do you announce it as they come in? "Welcome to our vegan house (for
religious reasons) but, by the way, the dog eats chicken in his kibble, so
don't let him lick you, or you're damned." How does this come up in
conversation? What business is it of anyone what you feed your dog?
Dogs don't have religion. They are animals. So are you, but I won't get
into that. A dog doesn't care what you think your chosen invisible ghost
has to say about what people eat. Why any god would give a rat's ass about
what anyone eats I can't imagine, but then again, there's the whole "not
getting into it" thing again. Dogs care even less. All they want is to be
fed, loved and housed, almost always in that order. Feed your dog a good,
high quality kibble, and tell the nosy M-I-L it's kosher, or veggie, or
hallowed or whatever you need to. It's none of her damn business, but if it
keeps peace in the family, whatever. All kibble looks the same, if it's
high quality.
Dogs aren't vegetarians.
--
Phyrie
Kiba the Cav's Pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phyrie/...758930/detail/