Feeding a vegetarian diet

[paulag1955]

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. An acquaintance on a non-dog-related forum has seasonal issues with her dog's skin and someone else recommended a vegetarian diet as a possible resolution. I don't think the dog owner is likely to adopt one, but I'd like a little information I could pass along just in case it appears as though she's considering it.

I'm thinking if it's seasonal, it's more likely to be an environmental allergen anyway.

Thanks!

[BlackGSD]

IMO, dogs are NOT ment to be vegetarians. They are not herbivores. And I agree with you, if it was the food, it wouldn't be "seasonal".

[MicheleMarie]

Originally Posted by paulag1955

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. An acquaintance on a non-dog-related forum has seasonal issues with her dog's skin and someone else recommended a vegetarian diet as a possible resolution. I don't think the dog owner is likely to adopt one, but I'd like a little information I could pass along just in case it appears as though she's considering it.

I'm thinking if it's seasonal, it's more likely to be an environmental allergen anyway.

Thanks!

i think it's the worse thing you can do.
if it's seasonal they should find out what it is that is causing that and fix that. also if it's seasonal i don't see how taking meat out will fix anything. she can research fish oil supplements, eggs, yogurt. even oatmeal and yogurt baths will help

[Hillary_Plog]

I see no correlation between animal proteins and seasonal (airborne environmental) allergies, and don't think that a vegitarian diet would positively impact the seasonal allergy symptoms.

If your friend wants to truly narrow down what is causing her dog's symptoms and how she can treat them (or if she is suspecting some kind of a food allergy may be a part of the problem), maybe she should get an allergy test done to give her more insight.

[Lucy Dog]

Vegetarian diet for a carnivore? This would be an absolute last resort after every other possible diet has failed miserably.

[King&Skylar]

I can't see how a veg. diet would help a seasonal allergy. I also don't think dogs are meant to be vegetarians- and I'm a vegan

[Good_Karma]

I have a couple friends who are vegan and raise their dogs as vegetarians. Both dogs are notorious poop eaters. Connection? Possibly.

I think it is very hard to properly maintain a good balance of nutrients if you are trying to feed a very limited diet. Not saying it can't be done, I just think you just have to really know what you are doing. I personally would only use it as a last resort kind of thing.

[paulag1955]

Of course it sounds especially insane to me because Shasta would turn down vegetables in favor of dirt and rocks (just kidding!) if they were the last food on earth.

[Salix]

Originally Posted by paulag1955

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. An acquaintance on a non-dog-related forum has seasonal issues with her dog's skin and someone else recommended a vegetarian diet as a possible resolution. I don't think the dog owner is likely to adopt one, but I'd like a little information I could pass along just in case it appears as though she's considering it.

I'm thinking if it's seasonal, it's more likely to be an environmental allergen anyway.

Thanks!

Instinct tells us that dogs need animal meat. However I would challenge this. I think you will run into more difficulty preparing meals of adequate sustenance and the dogs may need to eat more frequently because it takes longer for animal meat/flesh to be digested. But I don't think it can't be done. And I don't think it's a crazy idea if you're very committed to it and in tune with your dog's nutritional needs/adequate replacements and supplements. I don't think this is something for the novice.

Dogs are actually omnivores for a balanced diet. They aren't carnivores. Berries, grasses, roots as well as good old animal meat. Denver is on a primarily fish (salmon) diet and I find this is sufficient.

Denver had sores develop on his underbelly when he was exposed to beef or a red raw meat diet. This progressed to a staph infection. These sores that opened up due to the allergy to beef liver, minced beef and beef kidneys are about the size of a coin each. These sores become inflamed and itchy, flaky and ooze pus and other fluids. They progress all the way up the underside of his neck and are concentrated especially in his arm/leg pits and joints and his underbelly. They are painful and itchy and easily infected by bacteria.

I was told that hormones in beef could play a big part in the allergic reaction. I ceased all beef products.

Denver is fine with chicken and salmon. I have opted for the salmon diet.

I am not sure about seasonal allergies. There's not enough information in the post - age of dog, change in diets recently, what the dog eats now, what exactly is the allergic reaction (descriptions?). If it's anything like Denver's, I think it has something to do with the hormones in red meat or an allergic reaction to the meat itself. You can try organic, antibiotic-free, totally natural meat from a brand or local farm and narrow it down from there. Or simply move to a fish diet.

[paulag1955]

Salix, I'm not trying to argue, just want as much info as I can get. Why do you think it would be food related if the symptoms only show up seasonally?