Vegan diet of dogs vegetables instead of bones

If the dog has to live vegan

01/10/2014

Vegan is trendy - and not just among humans anymore. For example, vegan pet food is now finding more and more customers among dog owners. „What is good for master and mistress, can not be bad for the dog“, seems to be a common, but also controversial assumption. Because while the one vegan pet food praise beyond measure, is the vegan diet of dogs for the other animal cruelty. The news agency „dpa“ Talked to experts about tofu sticks and vegan pig ears instead of bones and rumen.

More and more vegans feed their dogs without animal products
In many health food stores vegan pet food belongs to the fixed assortment. Because those who feed themselves vegan - meatless and without animal products such as milk, eggs and honey - would usually like to give this dog, judged by many as a particularly healthy diet. Instead of conventional sausages are then tofu sticks or vegan pig ears as in the feeding bowl. In addition to so-called meat substitutes, which are also available for humans, vegetables, lentils, nuts, pears, rice and vegan animal feed mixtures are also on the menu for vegan dogs. The trade has long since recognized that there is now a considerable market for vegan pet food. The number of vegans is rising steadily, according to the press secretary of the Vegetarian Federation of Germany, Stephanie Stragies, to the news agency. „More and more people are vegan and do not make a detour through the vegetarian life.“ Many of these people also feed their pets vegan.

„To live vegan is associated with a certain attitude“, Trend researcher Peter Wippermann told the news agency. One or the other would also transfer this to other living beings. „This includes pets.“

Ellen Kienzle, veterinary specialist for animal nutrition and dietetics at the Department of Animal Nutrition of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, sees the vegan diet of dogs critically. Many people underestimate the high calcium requirement of dogs, she explains in an interview with the magazine „Mirror online“, which they cover, among other things, by bones. If there is a calcium deficiency, skeletal disorders such as brittle bones will occur, which could manifest within two years. Puppies are particularly vulnerable, Kienzle says.

More and more vegan dog owners want to feed their animals vegan. „The need for vegan dog food is steadily increasing“, is confirmed by the specialized trade. Helen nonsense from the vegan supermarket chain „Veganz“ describes the customers like this: „It is our vegan customers who feed their animals vegan or customers who are not vegan themselves, but who feed their dog vegan for health reasons“ This is the case, for example, with allergies. The range includes 30 to 40 vegan pet food products. The absolute bestseller are the vegan pig ears.
No species-appropriate dog nutrition?
But not all vegans are fully behind it. „It is not an appropriate dog food“, says Christina Müller. „The topic splits“. A randomized long-term study on this topic does not exist, according to the FU Berlin. But it is important in any case, „To prevent deficiency symptoms“,as Susan Kröger stresses. Therefore, it is best to consult the veterinarian before the dog owner decides that the animal is served exclusively vegan food. The latter can then decide which additives are needed in order not to endanger the health of the animal.

It often comes to mistakes when the vegan dog food is prepared at home, also confirms the deputy head of the Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Britta Dobenecker. In addition, there are too few ration components in the vegan diet, which is why the preparation is even more difficult. This can lead to deficiency symptoms of vitamins A, copper, zinc or essential amino acids, if they are not administered extra. Actually, vegan dog food items should contain these ingredients. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Therefore, a ration calculation makes sense, as the expert further explained.

In principle, a dog can be fed vegan. The prerequisite is that all essential nutrients are given in addition, says Dobenecker. Questionable is the vegan food but when the bitches are pregnant or must nurse. Also, the claim of puppies in the growth phase is much higher. (Ag)