vegetarian diet for dogs

[jan]

Is it safe to feed a dog a vegetarian raw food diet if you would like your dog to lose weight? I know that cats must have meat in their diet but is this the same for dogs? I know that they are natural omnivores but do they actually need meat?

[char]

I think you can actually feed dogs a vegetarian diet. I know they don't require meat like cats...but I don't know why you'd want to do this. I don't know if it's necessarily healthier for a dog unless they've got some kind of allergy or food sensitivity to meat. Definitely talk to your vet about that.

[Ron]

I think that there are other ways that you can help your dog lose weight than putting them on a vegetarian diet. I'm no vegetarian but I think it's more about how much you feed your dog (treats included) and how much you exercise him that will make a difference to his weight and not whether he's vegetarian.

[Maggie]

It's safe as in it won't hurt your dog as long as you don't feed him dangerous food like onions, avacado, grapes, etc. However, this is something you should discuss with your vet. If you're going to be changing your dogs diet you've got to not only think about why you want to do it but whether or not this will be good for your dog.

[brightstar]

Talk to your vet. It's the only person you should really be consulting when it comes to your dog's diet and health.

[Beth]

Please don't turn your dog vegan/vegetarian. If he has a health condition where this is necessary that's one thing, but to turn him on to this diet for his weight or because you're also a vegan/vegetarian just doesn't make sense to me. Meat isn't the enemy and can provide your dog with a lot great nutrients. There are better ways to help him lose weight. Please talk to your vet!

[jan]

Please don't turn your dog vegan/vegetarian. If he has a health condition where this is necessary that's one thing, but to turn him on to this diet for his weight or because you're also a vegan/vegetarian just doesn't make sense to me. Meat isn't the enemy and can provide your dog with a lot great nutrients. There are better ways to help him lose weight. Please talk to your vet!

Don't worry :) I won't just make my dog a vegan haha. I was just wondering what you guys thought. I have made a vet appointment. We'll see what she has to say!