Comments on: Vegan pet food – not a good choice http://consciouscat.net/2009/03/30/vegan-pet-food-not-a-good-choice-for-pets/ conscious living, health and happiness for cats and their humans Thu, 17 May 2012 05:45:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ingrid http://consciouscat.net/2009/03/30/vegan-pet-food-not-a-good-choice-for-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Ingrid Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:50:00 +0000 http://ingridking.wordpress.com/?p=259#comment-15 Hi Shoshanna, I agree - this is a "hot" topic, and people have the best intentions when changing their pets' diets to something they consider better or healthier. The example of the dogs who became ill due to taurine and carnitine deficiencies are a prime example of why I don't recommend home-made diets. It's just too hard to make sure a pet gets all the nutrients he or she needs. I'm not a proponent of raw feeding, although I acknowledge that the benefits can be numerous. Unless you know the source of the meat and can be absolutely sure that it's pathogen and parasite free, the risks outweight the benefits. For people who want to feed their pets a homemade diet, I recommend petdiets.com - veterinary nutritionists will formulate a balanced diet for healthy pets and pets with special dietary requirements. Hi Shoshanna,

I agree – this is a “hot” topic, and people have the best intentions when changing their pets’ diets to something they consider better or healthier. The example of the dogs who became ill due to taurine and carnitine deficiencies are a prime example of why I don’t recommend home-made diets. It’s just too hard to make sure a pet gets all the nutrients he or she needs.
I’m not a proponent of raw feeding, although I acknowledge that the benefits can be numerous. Unless you know the source of the meat and can be absolutely sure that it’s pathogen and parasite free, the risks outweight the benefits. For people who want to feed their pets a homemade diet, I recommend petdiets.com – veterinary nutritionists will formulate a balanced diet for healthy pets and pets with special dietary requirements.

]]> By: shoshanna http://consciouscat.net/2009/03/30/vegan-pet-food-not-a-good-choice-for-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-14 shoshanna Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:13:32 +0000 http://ingridking.wordpress.com/?p=259#comment-14 Good morning Ingrid, thanks for the info! This has got to be one of those issues about which you can ask three "experts" and get seven different opinions. I recenly referred to two popular books on natural pet care.. both advocating holistic/ herbal based health and healing. One insisted that a diet of raw, organic meat (bones and all) was the way to go. The other recommended mostly vegetarian fare with occasional cooked meat, no bones. Hmmm. The latter was, however, open minded enough to relate a cautionary tale which I feel compelled to pass along: A Midwest vegetarian, eager to share the health benefits of her diet with her beloved dogs. began to prepare homemade veggie meals for them. Heartbreakingly, two of them later succumbed to DCM ( dialated cardiomyopathy), associated with canine diets deficient in taurine & carnitine. Ironically, many vegans/ vegetarians arrive at that place through a love and respect for nature, yet how natural is a vegan cat? Bowl'o'carrots, please; hold the mouse. Thanks to Ingrid ( trust and appreciate your opinions) and to all that offer insight. Will check out the Natural Pet Store & the products/ services endorsed in the Marketplace. Blessings, Shoshanna Good morning Ingrid, thanks for the info!
This has got to be one of those issues about which you can ask three “experts” and get seven different opinions.
I recenly referred to two popular books on natural pet care.. both advocating holistic/ herbal based health and healing. One insisted that a diet of raw, organic meat (bones and all) was the way to go. The other recommended mostly vegetarian fare with occasional cooked meat, no bones. Hmmm.
The latter was, however, open minded enough to relate a cautionary tale which I feel compelled to pass along: A Midwest vegetarian, eager to share the health benefits of her diet with her beloved dogs. began to prepare homemade veggie meals for them. Heartbreakingly, two of them later succumbed to DCM ( dialated cardiomyopathy), associated with canine diets deficient in taurine & carnitine.
Ironically, many vegans/ vegetarians arrive at that place through a love and respect for nature, yet how natural is a vegan cat? Bowl’o'carrots, please; hold the mouse.
Thanks to Ingrid ( trust and appreciate your opinions) and to all that offer insight. Will check out the Natural Pet Store & the products/ services endorsed in the Marketplace.

Blessings, Shoshanna

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