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Is there vegan/ vegetarian dog food out there??
Started
by Jen
on November 3, 2009
I just got some vegan dog food. It's called Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula. Won the 2009 Veggie awards (? not sure who awards that). It also contains the daily requirements for taurine and Carnitine. I emailed the company to see if it had all the required nutrients for dogs, and they very promptly replied to me, that yes, no additional supplements were required. I am slowly moving my dogs to this formula. So far so good - they like it. Has anyone else tried this?
I tried Natural Balance for my dog before I tried Evolution and he didn't digest it well, even after a long time on it he would frequently regurgitate it soon after eating. That has never been a problem on Evolution, but I'm sure every dog is different. Mine has a particularly sensitive stomach, and he went from a LOT of trouble digesting meat-based food, to some trouble digesting Natural Balance, to no trouble digesting Evolution!
Hi Nic. I've not seen Evolution around. Is it kibble? Is it complete and not necessary to add supplements like Taurine and Carnitine? I will see if it's available in Canada. My dogs are just making the transition, so it would be nice to try a few brands to see which they prefer. I'd rather not have to worry about adding nutrients.
Christina,Evolution is kibble, but they recommend you soak it in water a bit before feeding to better hydrate your dog and to help them eat less and be more full (since there are a lot of problems with obesity in companion animals these days). I just put some in a bowl, cover it with water, let it sit for about 10 minutes and then feed. It is complete, although they do have recommendations for if you want to add some supplements. My dog has eaten evolution plus random (vegan) leftovers of ours like carrots, brown rice, pasta, etc. (anything but onions, grapes, garlic, and cruciferous vegetables really) with no supplementation other than some flax oil for his joints for about eight years, and his blood work from three days ago was perfect!
Where do I buy taurine and l-carnitine to supplement to my dogs? Also, how much do I give them?
Nic, thanks for the info. I live in Toronto, and am going to see if I can have my local pet food store order the Evolution for me. Feel better that there are lots of good examples of dogs thriving on a vegan diet. We are so programmed to think they need meat. Will feel better not having to buy it.
Nic, thanks for the info. I live in Toronto, and am going to see if I can have my local pet food store order the Evolution for me. Feel better that there are lots of good examples of dogs thriving on a vegan diet. We are so programmed to think they need meat. Will feel better not having to buy it.
Nic, thanks for the info. I live in Toronto, and am going to see if I can have my local pet food store order the Evolution for me. Feel better that there are lots of good examples of dogs thriving on a vegan diet. We are so programmed to think they need meat. Will feel better not having to buy it.
Nic, thanks for the info. I live in Toronto, and am going to see if I can have my local pet food store order the Evolution for me. Feel better that there are lots of good examples of dogs thriving on a vegan diet. We are so programmed to think they need meat. Will feel better not having to buy it.
sorry about the multiple responses - didn't see that a new page had started :)
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