Can Dogs Be Vegan?

Full disclosure -- I am a failed vegan. For several years, I was determined to not eat or use products made from animals. That is until COVID entered our world in 2020. During that unprecedented time, I decided to comfort myself the only way I knew how -- by munching on copious amounts of cheese. Now, four years later, I am just a vegetarian because I don’t have it in me to shake my habit of eating dairy. Vegans reading this – I am aware I am weak. 

Anyway, even when I was a strict vegan, I still fed my furry friend dog food made out of meat. From my past understanding, dogs can not live a healthy life by adhering to a strictly vegan diet. 

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But what do experts have to say on the matter? 

According to the American Kennel Club, owners can put their furry friends on a vegan diet if they get a go-ahead from their veterinarians. This is because dogs aren’t actually carnivores, but rather omnivorous, just like humans. 

However, a vegan diet is not ideal for dogs, as it can potentially lack protein and vitamins, like B-12. If you decide to go the vegan route for your furry friend, you will need to stock up on veterinarian-recommended supplements.

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Pet MD also warns you to refrain from giving your furry friend homemade vegan meals, as your dog may end up having an unbalanced diet.