Vegan Diets For Pets Are Not Complete, According To Experts
Vegan diets have become a trend that has been applied to pets, but experts warn that these are not complete enough for them. In this article we will point out the scientific foundations that support this thesis, controversial but correct from a biological point of view.
To better understand professional concepts about the impact of these diets on pets, it is necessary to understand where the living beings that we know today as domestic animals come from, as well as the way in which their feeding strategies have changed. We tell you all this and more.
What are vegan diets for pets?
As a scientific article on veganism points out, this lifestyle is based on following a diet that does not consume food from animals. Thus, people and pets that follow this diet do not eat animal protein, milk or its derivatives, eggs or honey. Many vegans also avoid products that have led to the exploitation of an animal, even if they are not food.
A study published in Plos One and applied in the United Kingdom indicates that 1/3 of vegan tutors provide a diet equal to their non-human peers. Among the motivations expressed by the respondents to make this decision are concerns for the health of their pets, their commitment to sustainability, environmental preservation and empathy for other animals.
With these ideas in mind, for some vegans it is a contradiction to carry this diet individually but proportionally to their pets meat-based feed. Especially because its production leaves a high carbon footprint and requires a large amount of water. But how does this diet influence them? Continue reading.
Dogs and cats, carnivores, omnivores or herbivores?
Dogs and cats were not always our companions. Thousands of years ago, they were wild beings and fed on their own. Hunting other animals was their main method of obtaining food. In fact, as studies indicate, the wild ancestor of the dog is the wolf, being the first species domesticated by man.
Today, we are the guardians who provide the food, which in turn must supply all the necessary nutrients to maintain the general health of the pet. Although these animals have left behind practices such as hunting, their metabolisms still have related demands that must be considered.
Studies indicate that dogs are genetically omnivorous, that is, they eat both meat and vegetables. It is important to emphasize that these canids are not “adapted” to digest one type of food over another, so they are considered to have a general diet.
For its part, research indicates that cats have the need to consume tissues of animal origin to fully satisfy their nutritional needs, taking into account that they are strict carnivores. It is described that the protein requirement is fundamental for this species, due to its contribution of taurine, arachidonic acid and preformed vitamin A.
Why are vegan diets for pets not complete?
Being omnivores, it is likely that a dog can better adapt to a vegan diet, however, it is not the best option. In the case of cats, essential nutrients for their optimal growth and development are being subtracted. We are not just saying it, as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is one of the institutions that have proven it.
Recently, international media reported how the RSPCA made several visits to a couple in Australia who fed their dogs an almost vegan diet. The result was his malnutrition after 3 years. The couple was sentenced not to be able to have dogs for the next 3 years and to pay a fine of almost $7,000.
Beyond malnutrition, there are various pathologies that can occur in the long term if you opt for veganism in your pet. We are going to tell you what could be the most serious effects of this diet.
Heart disease in cats
Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats. The correct functioning of your heart muscle, your vision, your digestive and reproductive systems depends on this. According to research, dilated cardiomyopathy is the main consequence of a deficiency of this essential amino acid in cats.
Taking into account that the organism of feline pets does not have the ability to produce taurine, providing a diet with a deficiency of this compound can trigger serious problems for the cat. In addition to pathologies related to your cardiovascular health, this deficit can lead to blindness.
Infections
Domestic animals often have different types of infections. Among the main ones are renal, urinary and reproductive tract, epidermal ( pyoderma ) and gastrointestinal.
On the other hand, some pathologies, such as cystourolithiasis, urethrolithiasis obstruction, bacterial cystitis, anatomical defects and neoplasms, are included under a single term: Feline Lower Urinary Tract disease (FLUTD). This pathology is typical of cats and is treated as a multifactorial condition.
It has been argued that an improper diet can lead to cats suffering from it. Reasons include low mineral intake and inadequate urinary pH control, which in turn can trigger bladder stone formation. Although it affects cats more, it is a condition that also includes dogs.
It’s also common for a vegan diet to promote diarrhea. One of its possible causes is the ingestion of foods that are difficult for the animal to digest, which in turn leads to an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota. The consumption of prebiotics (live microorganisms), as indicated by studies, favors the growth of bacteria that promote the intestinal health of pets.
Bone problems
As professional documents explain, vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body of pets. Therefore, it is essential in the normal development of the bone structure of the animal, especially in its earliest vital stages.
Although the sources of this vitamin are varied, it is estimated that vegan diets do not provide the necessary amount and foods of animal origin are those that have the greatest contribution. Even in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom the only approved form of vitamin D for pets is D3 or cholecalciferol , derived from lanolin in sheep fleeces.
Vegan diets for pets are not complete!
Throughout this article, we have explained why, according to experts, vegan diets for pets are not complete. There are several affectations that can be triggered in dogs and cats if this nutritional aspect is chosen, mainly because their organism is not the same as ours.
Since we are different species, we cannot extrapolate our decisions to dogs and cats without first considering all the factors. In fact, before making the decision to change the diet of pets, it will always be necessary to consult with the veterinarian, to guide the best way to do it.
