"Vegetarian" kibble?

[BeckyNC]

I told a friend I'd post this thread for her. She is a vegetarian and would like her dog to eat as little meat as possible. She currently feeds a kibble that has minimal animal protein in it. She could not recall the name at the time we spoke, but it is purchased at Petsmart. Two vets have told her the kibble is of good quality and she does give her girl treats that contain animal protein.

Today my friend was in an independent pet store and got into a conversation with someone who might has well have been a BW member. LOL. The woman told her vets do not get appropriate training on nutrition and her dog needs a higher quality kibble--one with more protein. The woman also gave her a website re dog nutrition. I've asked her to send it to me b/c I am curious.

Anyhow, my friend is curious to know if someone can recommend a kibble that might meet her "specifications."

Before I say "any thought?" please don't jump all over my friend for her pref. She really does want what's best for her dog and that's how this topic came up. I have told her how important it is that animal protein be at the top of the list of ingredients and how ground yellow corn is a no-no, so she must watch out for it. I feed Canidae and think it would be a great choice for her girl, but she'd like to know what you all think. I think a kibble that's high on the animal protein would be most appropriate (not high as in puppy high, but more like the norm for a high qual kibble), but it's not my dog. BTW, her dog is about 3, I think, and is a mix, probably 25 lbs or so.

 

[armyboot]

Meat is the most important part in a dog's diet period. Using one of those vegetarian kibbles is not a good idea. The WDJ actually specifically identified the Beneful (I believe that's a veggie food can't remember for sure though) brand of food as having no real benefit.

To see the benefit of meat in a dog's diet, just look at all the success RAW feeders are having. Heck, look at all the success stories here on BW of people switching from a low quality kibble to a higher quality one.

A lot of great information can be found here.

In summation, feeding a dog as little meat as possible is a bad idea.

 

[BooBoo & Riley]

There was a past WDJ article about feeding dogs vegeterian.. and they mentioned a small mix dog that had been feed vegetarian since he was 8 weeks old... and that he ended up living to 23 years old!

But the story I remember also mentioned that he was on a raw veggie diet and not on a processed veggie kibble diet that contributed to his long life.

 

[armyboot]

There was a past WDJ article about feeding dogs vegeterian.. and they mentioned a small mix dog that had been feed vegetarian since he was 8 weeks old... and that he ended up living to 23 years old!

But the story I remember also mentioned that he was on a raw veggie diet and not on a processed veggie kibble diet that contributed to his long life.

Was it entirely vegetarian? If so, did it mention what veggies they used to provide adequate amounts of protein?

 

[BeckyNC]

Thanks for your responses. I will share them with my friend.

ArmyBoot--when I first adopted Tae she was on Beneful and I felt there was no reason to change....then I learned ground yellow corn was a low quality filler. I looked at the bag and was horrified to see it was the first ingredient. I changed kibbles within a couple days, first to Nutro Max, then Chicken Soup and since then we've settled on Canidae, as it seems to be the best for Tae's "system" LOL. As everyone will agree, the higher quality kibbles are remarkable--less poop, softer and shinier coat, etc. I should also mention the fact that less food is needed since they higher qual kibbles contain fewer fillers.

 

[Stacy W.]

I just wanted to mention that there are SOME dogs that may do okay on a veggie diet. My parents Dalmatian for instance has a severe sensativity to excess protein. She has had a sibling from her litter that died of complications due to this problem (I believe it caused kidney problems?). Anyway, the Vet told my parents to put the dog on a low protein diet a long time ago because this is a problem with many Dalmatians. Reciently, though, after the sibling passed away, my Mom was told to put her on a veggie diet. She has done that (I can't remember what the food is called, but it was the food my parent's vet recomended) and she is doing well. If I think of it I will ask my Mother about the food.

 

[Orionsmomma]

I realize this post is a little old, but please forgive me. I haven't been online since the beginning of December.

Dick Van Patton's Natural Balance has a vegetarian formula you might want to check out.
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/products/Vegetarian.html
From what I understand it's a great alternative to kibbles with made with meat, and it's human grade. :D

 

[skhstar]

Vegetarian boxer

I have a 15 month old male boxer who has recently been switched to a fish and potatoe food by Eukanuba. He has the worst allergies and a vegetarian diet is supposed to help boost his immune system! So far he really likes it and it has helped with his allergies a little bit!! Other than the price of the food, having a less itchy and scratchy pup has been wonderful!!