Be The Healthy U!
  • Healthy Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Online Cooking Classes
  • I Can Help
  • 28-Day Program
  • Healthy Dog Blog
  • About Terri
  • Resources
  • Ask Dr. Terri
  • Testimonials

Vegan Dogs

7/3/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
No, I’m not referring to vegan hot dogs. Yes, my dogs are vegan. Or to put it a better way, my dogs are plant-based.

Last weekend as Kona (right) raced around our campsite, running circles around and tiring out one of her younger playmates, a friend walked up and commented as she watched Kona run full speed, lap after lap:

     “Now there’s a great testimonial for a vegan diet for dogs!”

Last October I switched both of my dogs over to V-Dog, a plant-based dry dog food. In addition, I continue to add chopped up fresh veggies and brown rice to their meals, and I always share my green smoothie with Sena (Kona hasn’t taken to the green smoothies). I also sometimes slip a little tofu into their meals as well. And they are both thriving!

The main reason I switched my dogs away from animal-based dog food is the same reason that I stopped eating animal-based food myself. Namely that the science shows over and over again in thousands of peer-reviewed publications that plant-based foods promote excellent health and prevent diseases, while animal-based foods promote poor health.

I know from working in the pharmaceutical industry that efficacy in dogs is tested after efficacy in mice or rats is achieved and often indicates likely efficacy in humans, meaning that if an intended result is achieved in mice or rats, and then in dogs, it will also likely be achieved in humans.

Numerous results indicating efficacy of a plant-based diet for promoting excellent health and preventing chronic degenerative diseases in both mice and humans have been published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. So I hypothesized that dogs should experience similar healthful benefits on a plant-based diet. And while my study population is only two dogs (N=2), I’m happy to report that both of my dogs are full of life and energy for their ages (Sena is 12 and Kona is 5), their coats look like they were just bathed, and so far, two veterinarians have commented on how healthy they both are.

V-Dog derives its protein from peas, lentils, and potato protein, and is loaded with whole plant-based ingredients, including grains (oats, sorghum, quinoa, millet, alfalfa), nuts and seeds (peanuts, sunflower seeds, flax seeds), veggies (carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, spinach), and fruit (dried cranberries and blueberries, both powerful antioxidants), along with supplements formulated for pets (V-Dog is available in some pet stores or at www.v-dog.com).

I couldn’t be happier with my decision to feed my fur-babies exclusively plant-based foods, just as I do for myself, so that I can have them around and healthy for as long as possible!

2 Comments
Kaia Schroeder
7/8/2014 12:36:08 am

I too have my dogs on Vdog. Be aware though that if they get a urinary tract infection that they are at risk for Struvite stones. The urea is broken down into ammonia molecules by the bacteria. In an alkaline urine which is caused by their plant based diet, this ammonia causes the struvite to precipitate out from the magnesium and phosphorous in the urine. Unfortunately, this dog had to have surgery to remove the stones and is now on a prescription diet to keep them from forming again. It is not a plant based diet anymore.

Reply
Terri link
7/8/2014 03:59:59 am

Hi Kaia - thank you for your comment! I was not aware of the risk of Struvite stones in the event of a urinary tract infection due to the alkaline urine, and will definitely learn more about it. I know that in animal studies, those fed diets with less than 10% animal-based foods essentially had all the benefits of a plant-based diet. I wonder if that's worth trying.

So do you still feed V-dog to your other dogs? If so, do you supplement their diets to bring down the pH somewhat?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Terri Quenzer, PhD

    Terri has a passion for good health and for helping others find happiness in themselves through better health! Through her scientific and life experiences, her goal is to help you reach your healthy goals!

    ​Be The Healthy U!: nominated for San Diego's Best Nutrition/Cooking Classes of 2016!

    Picture
    Catch Terri's interview about plant-based nutrition on KCQB 1170 AM - click here.

    How Not to Die: Terri interviews New York Times Bestselling Author Michael Greger, MD. Listen below.
    Terri speaks with Jordan Hoffman of Jordan Hoffman Acupuncture about what to eat and East vs West.
    Picture

    Click Here To Sign Up For Your Free Newsletter

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    September 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All