Bramble!!! Bramble was one of the worlds oldest dogs… and she was vegan. She lived to be 25 years old. Bramble’s owner, Anne Heritage, had four other vegan dogs who lived to be 19-20 years old.
Dogs and cats can thrive on a vegan diet. According to PCM, ” Both cats and dogs may thrive on vegetarian diets, but these must be nutritionally complete and reasonably balanced. Owners should also regularly monitor urinary acidity, and should correct urinary alkalinisation through appropriate dietary additives, if necessary.” It goes on to say, “a significant and growing body of population studies and case reports have indicated that cats and dogs maintained on vegetarian diets may be healthy—including those exercising at the highest levels—and, indeed, may experience a range of health benefits.”
“Benefits commonly reported, after transitioning dogs and cats to nutritionally sound vegan or vegetarian companion animal diets, include: decreased ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice and mites) and food intolerance reactions; improved coat condition; obesity reduction; regression in signs of arthritis; diabetes; cataracts; urogenital disease; and improved vitality.”
When transitioning a pet to a plant-based diet, “special attention to urinary pH is warranted for animals (and particularly, male cats) maintained on vegetarian diets. Regular monitoring of the urine acidity of both sexes of cats and dogs is essential, at least weekly during any dietary transition, illness or instability, and monthly after stabilization. Urine can be collected from dogs using containers such as foil baking trays, and from cats using non-absorbent plastic cat litter available from veterinarians. pH test strips are also available from veterinarians, although electric pH metres provide the most accurate results.”
When addressing commercial meat-based pet foods… “As described previously, these have included potentially pathogenic microorganisms, prion proteins, mycotoxins, antibiotic and hormonal residues, chemical contaminants such as melamine, plastic ear tags, styrofoam packaging, and heavy metal and organic pollutants within fish.
To encourage domesticated cats and dogs to eat such diets, dry food may be sprayed with a combination of refined animal fat, lard, used restaurant grease, and other oils that are sometimes considered too rancid or inedible for human consumption.” (1)
Resources…
http://www.vegepets.info/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-yH564PwJRYENGjeh8euKBbTLtTFeT8m
https://www.amazon.com/Obligate-Carnivore-Really-Means-Vegan/dp/1439211205
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5035952/
