Vegan Diet for Dogs

Many people treat their dogs like a four-legged, fur-covered child. That dog IS their fur baby and a part of the family. So, it should be no surprise that many humans who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet also provide a vegan diet for dogs in their lives. However, is this the best option? Aren’t dogs supposed to be meat eaters? 

At Vitalize, our team is made up of dog-crazy pet owners who want the very best for our fur babies. We take extra care to provide them with a balanced, nutritional diet that contains the nutrients they need to thrive. That’s why we have created a blog. We want to dig in and explore if a vegan diet is the best choice for your canine companion. So, let’s get to it. 

How Do You Define a Vegan Diet for Dogs? 

There are 2 levels of vegan diets for dogs – vegetarian and vegan. 

• Vegetarian or plant-based diets aim to avoid animal meat-based ingredients.  
• Vegan diets intend to avoid all animal products, including ingredients like eggs and honey.  

Vegetarian and vegan diets for dogs have been have been effective in some cases. Certain medical situations may even require one of these meat-free diets. However, it is important to ensure that your dog nutrition is balanced and contains essential nutrients. 

Risks of a Vegan Diet for Dogs 

Speaking frankly, dogs are not naturally vegetarian or vegan. It’s a diet that’s not going to work for every pup. In fact, it may be downright dangerous. We want to encourage you to consult with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist when feeding a vegan diet to ensure that your dog is getting every nutrient it needs. 

While some dogs do just fine on a vegan or vegetarian diet, this type of regimen for your dog isn’t without risks. You can also discuss these with your veterinarian. Here’s what you need to know off the bat:  

• Your dog could be missing out on important protein. 
• Your dog could experience an imbalance of certain amino acids, such as taurine and L-carnitine. These important amino acids support brain, muscle and heart function as well as work to increase overall health and immunity. 
• Your dog could suffer from vitamin or mineral deficiencies. 

Vitalize Completes Your Dog Nutrition  

If you do decide a vegan diet is best for your dog, they are going to need supplements to support their overall nutrition. We encourage you to include a nutritional supplement from Vitalize in your daily routine. Vitalize is a line of supplements for companion animals with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing.   

Vitalize is powered by two proprietary ingredients: AO-Biotics^® Amaferm^®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, and MHB3^®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. With Amaferm improving digestibility, we know that your dog will be healthier, as 70% of the immune response is found in the digestive system. Further canine studies show that dogs that have been fed Amaferm experience fewer stillbirths, produce larger litters, and wean more puppies.   

Here are the supplements Vitalize offers for your dog’s overall and gut health: 

Vitalize^® Dog  

Vitalize^® Dog is a granular vitamin and mineral supplement for dogs designed to support breeding and performance. It contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, omegas for healthy skin and hair, and a high-quality blend of vitamins and minerals for daily support of any diet.   

Vitalize^® Alimend^® K9   

Vitalize Alimend K9 is a liquid product for dogs designed to support gastric health and GI tissue and may relieve occasional gastric issues. In addition to Amaferm, it contains MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid that coats the stomach and supports GI tissue integrity. It also contains beta-glucans to support the gut and immune system.   

Vitalize^® Dog Gel   

Vitalize Dog Gel is a prebiotic and nutrient-rich gel for dogs. It immediately supports the digestive and immune systems. It contains Amaferm and MOS to help normalize gut microflora and the immune system. The gel works fast to support appetite and hydration.   

The Final Word  

We hope you have found this blog useful. Yes, you have choices when choosing a diet for your favorite four-legged friend. However, you can’t go wrong with a few final words of advice.  

Always consult a veterinarian.

Your animal doctor knows what’s best for your dog. Listen to him or her, and make sure to have your dog examined annually. That is the best way to build a veterinary-client relationship with your dog and the vet. That also helps with dog anxiety, and the dog won’t think going to the vet has to be just for troubleshooting or sickness.  

Read and follow labels.

We cannot emphasize this enough. Even on our Vitalize products, we put labels there for a reason, and if you don’t read them, your dog might not be getting the best nutrition possible, regardless of how good the nutrients are in the bag.  

Monitor your dog’s health.

Just because they lick the bowl clean every time doesn’t necessarily mean that food is the best option. Does your dog have bright eyes, a shiny coat, and seem happy and active? Those are good signs. If those signs change, take note and consult your veterinarian.  

Get your Vitalize Today!     

If you do plan to provide a vegan diet for dogs in your home, be sure to support them with Vitalize. And because we value our customers, we have made purchasing Vitalize as easy as possible.    

You can visit a local supplier to purchase Vitalize products. Not sure who has it? Locate a store near you!    

Are you looking to pick up some Vitalize without leaving your home? You can shop online and have Vitalize delivered right to your front door.    

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