Would A Vegan or Vegetarian Diet Be Good For My Doxie?
A lot of people are turning into a vegan or vegetarian diet to become healthier. For this reason, it is not surprising that some Dachshund owners are also considering to turn their dogs into a no-meat eater.
So, should you let your dog become a vegan or vegetarian?
What is a vegan or vegetarian?
Before we answer our core question for this blog, a quick and simple definition of terms would be helpful.
Some people think that vegans and vegetarians are one and the same. However, there’s a big difference between the two.
A vegan diet is strictly not eating any meat products or products derived from animals. On the other hand, vegetarian diet is a little lenient as it allows its adherents to eat food products derived from animals. The most common would be dairy products and eggs.
There are actually various types of vegetarians. There are vegetarians who eat fish as well. So, this is something you need to consider when planning to make your dog a vegetarian.
Are Dogs Carnivorous or Omnivorous?
It is important to note that dogs aren’t carnivores. They are omnivores, just like us humans. So, definitely, they can eat both plant- and animal-based products.
Of course, some people would like to debate whether dogs are true omnivores or not. There are some indisputable proofs that favor the argument that dogs are omnivorous.
- Their teeth can grind both meat and fibrous plants.
- They can digest carbohydrates.
- Dogs have a gastrointestinal system similar to that of other omnivores.
- Dogs have the ability to digest nutrients and turn them into useful chemicals essential for life.
With all these points, most experts would tell you that dogs are omnivorous. However, this does not stop dogs to be more interested in eating a juicy and delicious cut of meat than a pile of fresh carrot.
Will Veggies Be Enough?
No doubt: dogs, and that includes your doxie, are meat lovers. They eat any meat at a heartbeat. Not only that, but dachshunds can be especially picky when it comes to food and it may be difficult to simply let them eat veggies alone.
So, you might then wonder if giving veggies would be enough for your doxie.
Well, generally speaking, veggies should be enough for your dachshund. Because of their ability to break down vegetables into essential nutrients, they should be able to digest plant-based food.
The issue might set in whether you will become strictly vegan or a little tolerant vegetarian. If you choose vegan, it can be a little trickier. You need to make sure that your doxie gets enough proteins. Thankfully, there are those plants that meet this need. These include soy, whole grains, beans, and corn.
If you choose vegetarian, then at least your dog can eat eggs, which is a perfect source of protein and amino acid.
Once your dog becomes a vegan or vegetarian, there’s a wide range of food your doxie can enjoy. These may include broccoli, carrots, rice, lentils, quinoa, beans, dark and leafy green vegetables, and others.
Before Your Dog Goes Vegan or Vegetarian
Eating the right type and amount of food is vital to your dachshund. Thus, deciding what to feed him would be a major decision to make. Don’t think that whatever you are eating as vegetarian would be enough for your four-legged buddy. If you are not too familiar with what to feed your dog, how to handle your dog’s adjustment to plant-based diet, and its possible effect, you might put your dog’s life in danger.
For this reason, be sure to speak to your vet. Your vet can take into consideration the whole health condition of your doxie and provide you a more personalized recommendation. At the end of the day, we all want the best for our dachshund. So, whatever major decision you make, be sure to discuss this with your vet.
