Pet Insurance Company Reports More UK Pets Eating Veg

From a press release by LV= insurance company:

40% of pet owners now feed their pets up to three portions of fruit and veg a day and according to the new research by pet insurer LV= there are now more than 145,000 cats and dogs in the UK on a vegetarian diet.

In turning their animals vegetarian, these pet owners are following celebrity dog-owners such as Alicia Silverstone* and Paul McCartney** who feed their dogs a vegan and vegetarian diet respectively.

You can read the entire press release here.

News Flash!

The online Vegan Dog Nutrition Course from the Vegan Dog Nutrition Association appears to be up and running. They're asking for a minimum $25 donation, and you receive a certificate of completion after passing their test.

According to the myspace page for the book Obligate Carnivore: Cats, Dogs, and What It Really Means to be Vegan, a 2nd, updated edition (said to be "a million times better" than the 1st edition) is in the works. Release date is given as "summer 2008", but I haven't heard any more about it. The first edition is currently out of print, but copies are still easily obtained.

Vegancats.com has been redesigned, and is offering a few new products. DownBOUND.com has quite a few treat options now.

I've removed the link to Missing Link Vegetarian Supplement in the supplements post, due to new information from Vegan Essentials that Missing Link has added a dairy derived ingredient. Such a shame, as that was a good product that I had used in the past. The good news is that Vegan Essentials is planning on expanding their selection of vegan companion animal supplies.

Got any news relevant to the topic of vegan dogs? Let me know! Most google searches lead me back to my own blog now (not a bad thing, I suppose, but it makes it harder for me to find new info and links).

I'll leave you with a photo of my friend Nico, enjoying the vegan birthday cake I baked for him. He doesn't mind that I have the cake decorating skills of a 5 year old on a sugar high. Isn't he sweet?

Vegetarian Dogs...in 1939?

I just happened to stumble across this ad from an August 1939 edition of Popular Mechanics. It shows dogs riding in luxury on the French ocean liner Normandie. The dogs were provided with their own heated kennels, drinking fountain, life jackets, and gourmet menu. Something on the menu caught my eye.


Here is the menu, enlarged:

Interesting, no? From what I can tell, the meal involves fresh veggies and pasta. Or so my French-English dictionary tells me.

Healthy Supplements For Vegan Dogs

Good nutrition is the foundation for good health. Supplements can never fully make up for a poor diet. But if you want to add something a little "extra" to a healthy diet there are a few vegan options on the market.

Skin and Coat Supplements:

NuHemp Peanut Butter Smoothie Omega Sauce- This "sauce" contains a blend of canola and hemp oils, which are great sources of omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids can help improve poor skin and coat quality, and should be included in every dog's diet.

Sparkle by The Honest Kitchen- Contains burdock, dandelion, nettle, rosehips, and nutritional yeast (that's it!)

Pet Guard Yeast and Garlic Wafers- Brewers yeast and garlic supplements have been popular for decades as a natural flea repellant and aid to coat health.

General Health Supplements:

Green Mush- A blend of "superfoods", including spirulina, barley and wheat grasses, kamut grass juice, sea vegetables, and so much more.

Invigor by The Honest Kitchen- An herbal supplement to support the immune system. Said to be good for older pets. Contains kelp, astralagus, hawthorne berries, olive leaf, spirulina, and watercress.

Probiotic and Digestive Enzyme Supplements:

Prozyme Vegan- Claims to increase the absorption of vital nutrients and improve digestion.

Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes and Probiotics- Contains both probiotics and enzymes to aid in digestion.

Dr. Goodpet's Canine Formula Digestive Enzymes- According to the company, it can be used for animals with problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Pancreatic Enyme Insufficiency.

Perfect Form by The Honest Kitchen- A herbal supplement for digestive health. Claims to be good for pets with IBD, colitis, or occasional digestive upsets. Contains fennel, papain, papaya, pumpkin seed, plantain, pectin, and slippery elm.

Frozen Treats for Hot Dogs!

Ah, summer. Sizzling temperatures mean miserable collies who spend the hot afternoons snuggled up to the air conditioner (or at least that's what it means in my house!) Wading pools, cooling bandannas, and ice cubes to lick can help, but sometimes a special treat is needed.

There are many dog "ice creams" on the market, unfortunately almost all of them contain dairy, and sometimes meat products too. But there is hope! Polar Pups frozen treats come in 3 vegan flavors: Barkin' Apple, Berry Bite, and Puppy Nutter (the Beggin' Banana flavor contains honey, but is otherwise animal product free.)

Unfortunately Polar Pups are currently only available in the Chicago area, Michigan, and Wisconsin, but shipping is available (though expensive) to individuals. The website also mentions that they are currently looking for a national distributor, so let's keep our fingers and paws crossed! Until then, I guess I'll just have to deal with the large fuzzy animal hogging my A/C.

UPDATE: While on vacation on Cape Cod, I stumbled across Mr. Barksmith's Cool Treats. The fruit flavor is vegan (containing only pureed fruit, peppermint, and Vit C!) The boxes contain little individual plastic cups, and they freeze solid after a few hours in your freezer. Sable loves them.

(Photo from the Polar Pups website)

Alicia Silverstone's Dogs Go Vegan

According to this article:

Actress Alicia Silverstone - who hasn't eaten meat or dairy products for 10 years - says refining the eating habits of her four pets has stopped them passing wind.

She told UK TV talk show host Graham Norton: "I really care about animals, there's so much unnecessary suffering going on.

"All four of my dogs are vegan, they don't fart any more! I eat delicious food but without cruelty."

Fashion for the Veggie Dog

If you don't mind the fact that ignorant passers-by will try to argue with you that "dogs need meat!", then why not show off your dog's veggie pride with a doggie T-shirt? (Scroll down, there are several Veg*n styles!)

Is your dog a "Level 5 Vegan"? Let the world know with this doggie shirt (made in the USA).

I'm always on the look-out for new vegan dog products and info, so if you find anything, please send it along and I'll post it on my blog.

New Vegan Dog Nutrition Book

Just stopping in to alert you guys to a great new resource. Vegan Dogs: Compassionate Nutrition by James O'Heare, is now available as a downloadable pdf file. The book contains in-depth information on nutrition for vegan dogs, as well as a balanced vegan recipe. It is a free download, however they ask that if you find it useful, that you consider donating to the association. Get it here.

Patience is a Virtue.

Hello, loyal readers!

Expect a break in posts for a little while. I do have some things coming up. Sable's 8th birthday is June 1st (she has been veg for 5 years now)! There will be cupcakes this year, I think, instead of a big cake. Sable is a lucky dog.

Also, I have purchased some VegeDog, and am trying out a few of the recipes. I'll try to get some pics for you, and let you know how Sable likes them (she likes everything, though, so there shouldn't be any problems!).

Thanks for reading, and remember, there are lots of interesting articles and websites in the links on the side of this blog.

(It's vegan. I say so.)

FYI

As I receive new info on subjects of older posts, I go back and update them with the new information and links. It's a good idea to skim through past posts every once in a while, to keep up-to-date! As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or suggested topics.

Meanwhile, let me introduce you to my other vegan pets, and Sable's best buddies, Karma and Kismet:
Pretty cute, huh? If would like a bunny buddy (or two!), animal shelters are overflowing with these little guys who are looking for responsible homes.

Joint Supplements for Vegan Dogs

As dogs age, they can begin to experience stiffness and pain in their joints. There are many canine "joint supplements" on the market today, but unfortunately most of them are animal-derived. Luckily, there are alternatives.

Glucosamine is one of the most widely used joint supplements for dogs. It is usually made from shellfish, but in recent years, companies have found a way to make grain-derived glucosamine.

Vegancats.com carries Prescription 2000 Glucosamine HCL, in an easy to use powder form.

Deva Glucosamine with MSM & CMO comes in tablets. MSM helps produce collagen, and CMO reduces inflammation.

Both the Deva and Prescription 2000 glucosamine formulas are marketed for humans, so you just have to figure out the dosage for your dog. The average dog dosage according to a vet is 250 mg per 10lbs given twice daily.

UPDATE: I have found a third vegan glucosamine supplement, made specifically for dogs. ActiPet Vegan HA Supplement contains plant sourced glucosamine, MSM, Hyaluronic acid, Vit C, organic alfalfa leaf, and manganese. It is available for purchase from Vegan Essentials here.

Vitamin C is suggested as possibly helpful for arthritis. It is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, and also in supplement form.

Omega fatty acids might also be beneficial. Good vegan sources for omega fatty acids are flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, canola oil, olive oil, and soybeans, among others.

Acupuncture, massage, swimming, mild exercise, and physical therapy can be very helpful to arthritic dogs, as can keeping them from becoming overweight.

Please remember to check with your veterinarian before putting your dog on any supplements or exercise programs.

Minimizing Chemicals for Your Pet's Health

A new study by an environmental group has revealed high levels of chemicals in the blood and urine of pet dogs and cats. (Thankfully, the samples were taken from pets at an animal hospital, not a laboratory!) 35 chemicals were found in dogs, and 46 in cats. These chemicals included flame retardants, mercury, and perflourinated chemicals. Read an article about the study here. There is concern that pets could be mirroring the problem in the human population. In honor of Earth Day (tomorrow) and for your pets' health, here are some tips to help minimize your companion animal's exposure to chemicals.

Carpeting: Yes, wall-to-wall carpeting may look nice, but it attracts and holds onto all sort of dirt, dust, hair, mold, and yuckiness. Not to mention the chemicals used in manufacturing and treating the rugs before they're even installed! Since your pet spends her time a lot closer to the floor than you do, she is breathing in much of this "stuff". Natural wood or bamboo floorings are lovely, and some natural fiber throw rugs can brighten up a room. (Plus, do you really want to vacuum anyway? Rip up those old carpets!) More info here.

Furniture: Yes, I know, furniture can be a bit of a necessity. Unfortunately, furniture that is "stain proof" is often marketed to dog parents, and this generally means it has been treated with extra chemicals. Try to go as natural as possible. Keep your furniture clean and dry, and avoid chemical laden cleansers or odor neutralizers.

Your Dog's Bed: Again, many of these have been treated with chemicals to make them stain-proof, fire retardant, whatever. Some are made of "PVC", which releases chemicals known as phthalates over time. Luckily there are "natural fiber" and "organic" dog beds available. Wash your dog's bed frequently, it's probably a lot dirtier than you think! Use all-natural hypoallergenic laundry detergent, please.

Your Dog's Toys: Would you buy a cheap, vinyl, made-in-China, painted-with-cheap-possibly- lead-paint toy for a child? No? Well, how about your dog, who not only plays with his toys, but puts them in his mouth and chews on them? Many, many dog toys are made with PVC. If a dog toy does not state the materials it is made out of, don't buy it! There are many alternatives--natural rubber, organic cotton, hemp, etc. In general, avoid cheap "squeaky" toys, as these are the worst offenders. There is a very good, in-depth article in the latest Whole Dog Journal on this subject. ("The Dangers of Vinyl Dog Toys", April 2008)

Your Dog's Bowl: No plastic! You don't want any chance of chemicals leaching into your pet's food or water. Stainless steel is the easiest to clean, food-quality ceramic (make sure the glaze is not lead based!) is another choice. Wash the bowls frequently with a nice natural dish detergent.

Food Storage: For the same reason, don't dump kibble or treats into those useful plastic storage bins. Keep food and treats in their original packaging, and close the boxes and bags securely each time to keep food fresh.

Food: Three words: Clean, Fresh, and Organic. If your dog is vegan, you're already doing her a favor by not exposing her to the antibiotics in meat or the mercury in fish!

Water: Get a filter for your tap. Tap water is tested to make sure that contaminants are "within acceptable limits", but I would prefer NO contaminants, thank-you-very-much. The water in his dish should be changed at least once a day.

Grooming: Natural grooming products are widely available now. I have some listed here. Toothpaste can be made out of a simple baking soda/water paste.

Flea and Tick Control: If you must use pesticides, get the stuff from your vet. Avoid over the counter drops, powders and shampoos. Some people swear by adding brewer's yeast and garlic to the diet to repel fleas and ticks. I use an herbal collar on Sable, as well as Tick Guard when we are out on walks. Ticks must be attached to your pet (or you) for 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease, so carefully examine and comb out your dog at least twice a day in warm weather, and remove any ticks you find. Also, any shampoo (not just pesticide "flea shampoo") will kill fleas if you let the lather sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. And remember to mow your lawn! Ticks and fleas find a nice home in brush and tall grass. Keeping your yard clear of brush and keeping the grass mowed will keep it from becoming prime tick habitat.

Your Lawn: Speaking of your lawn...your dog probably spends quite a bit of time out there, romping around, lying in the sun, maybe snacking on the new shoots of grass. All good reasons for you to avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides! A study published in the April 15, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association found that Scottish Terriers exposed to lawn herbicides had four to seven times the risk of bladder cancer than Scotties not exposed! There is so much information out there now on natural and organic lawn care, so start googling!

Household Cleaning Products: Now, come on, you know these things aren't healthy when you have them safely stored high up in a locked cabinet so that no dog, cat, child, horse, or vegetable can come into contact with them. Plus, you probably are aware that most traditional cleaning solutions are tested on animals. You have two options here: go to Whole Foods and shell out big bucks for cruelty-free, super natural cleansers in biodegradable bottles, or make your own cleaning solutions using every day household items, like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters are widely recommended now, especially for people with allergies or asthma. You can also buy air filtration systems for your home.

Don't forget: Fresh air, Sunshine, and exercise for your pup!

Now, all these suggestions may seem overwhelming, but they are easy to be put into place. And not only will they be helping your pet, they will also be reducing your exposure to chemicals! Good for you, good for your dog, and good for the earth!

Pet Food Article in VegNews

The May/June 2008 issue of VegNews magazine has a great article on pet food, covering the 2007 recalls, pet food ingredients, and the issues with the lack of regulation in the commercial pet food industry. It makes a compelling argument for why you should be cooking your dog's food yourself, and discusses vegan diets for dogs and cats. There is also a list of commercial veg food and treats. The issue hits stores soon, so if you aren't subscribed be on the look-out for it!

For more information on what's wrong with the commercial pet food industry:
What's Really in Pet Food- an API Report
The Truth About Commercial Pet Food
Meatless Meals for Dogs and Cats

Books:
Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts about Pet Food and Protect Your Pet: More Shocking Facts, both by Ann N. Martin
Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
The VegNews article mentions this book, which is scheduled to be available in May 2008:
Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Commercial Dog and Cat Food

The only way to be 100% sure of what is in your pet's food is to make it yourself!

Heartworm Pills for Vegan Dogs

We recently had a conversation about this on the Post Punk Kitchen forums, and it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to post the info on my blog to help others. If you live in an area where heartworm infection is a risk, your vet has probably recommended monthly "heartworm pills". Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites, and an untreated infection is fatal, so preventative medication is usually prescribed in areas where mosquitoes are a concern. Many of these pills today are in meaty treat form, to entice dogs to eat them. For many years, however, heartworm pills were just non-flavored pills, not "treats", and today they are still available in pill form. You can ask your vet to order them in special for you, and some vets may have them in stock already, for dogs with meat allergies. Make sure you specify that you are looking for tablets, and not gelatin capsules. Ivermectin, which is the main ingredient in Heartgard brand products, is also available in many forms, such as liquid and paste, due to its popularity as a deworming medicine for livestock. There is even a topical product that you apply to your dog's skin that combats heartworms along with fleas, however I have heard reports of some dogs suffering skin irritation from this. You vet should be willing to discuss the pros and cons of each medication to find an acceptable solution for your dog.

With the warmer weather arriving in many areas, mosquitoes aren't the only concern, so remember to check your pets for fleas and ticks after your walks!

The Vegetarian Dog Health Survey

This survey was done in 1994, and was one of the first resources I came across while researching vegan dogs 5 years ago. Peta recruited members who had vegetarian/vegan dogs to answer a series of questions about their dogs' diet and how it affected the health of the dogs. You can view the survey here (PDF file). The comments by participants at the end of the survey are also interesting. This site also has the basic results information, along with helpful charts. The only potential problems they found were the need for taurine and l-carnitine supplementation, and the alkalinization of the urine in some dogs (you can read about prevention of urinary alkalinization here.) Unfortunately, a "control group" of meat eating dogs was not used in the survey, so it is difficult to compare the veg dog population to dogs on an "standard" diet. Some of the questions were also very subjective (asking the dog guardians to rate their own dogs' health as "good", "excellent", etc.) Nevertheless, the survey was an important milestone in proving that dogs could survive and thrive on a veg*n diet.

Attn Readers: I am currently seeking feedback and suggestions. Is there an issue related to vegan dogs that you would like me to cover? (No promises, but I'll do my best.) Have a great vegan dog biscuit recipe you'd like to share? Let me know! I would also like to know if you have found the blog useful/interesting so far. Please feel free to leave me a comment (all comments are moderated and must wait to be approved. This is to keep this blog a safe place for guardians of vegan dogs. Thank you for your understanding.)

Basic Canine Nutrition Guidelines

I always advise learning basic dog nutrition requirements, especially when you are home cooking your dog's diets. A really basic primer on dog nutrient requirements is available here, from the National Resource Council (PDF file). It uses info taken from the NRC's Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, which is now available as a comprehensive book- for $265.00! (Personally, I'll stick with the free info!)

A few of the books listed in my last post give some basic nutrition info, either for dogs in general, or geared towards veggie dogs in particular. There is also a lot of information available online, but always consider the source, and remember anyone can toss some words on a webpage and call them "facts". You can check out the links I have posted on the side of this blog, many of the sites discuss veg dog nutrition.

The Vegan Dog Nutrition Association will have an online "Vegan Dog Nutrition Course" in the future, for a "suggested donation" of $25 or more.

I personally have taken a pet nutrition course sponsored by a pet food company. (It was made available for vet techs and others who work with animals.) I had to wade though a lot of promotional info, but I was able to learn about the digestive system, energy requirements, and nutrient requirements for different lifestyles and lifestages. I have 2 notebooks filled with notes, which I refer back to often. It really is worth it to learn this stuff.

Lastly, nutritiondata.com will give you the nutrient profiles of individual foods. You can also have recipes analyzed to find their nutritional data.

Happy learning!

Book Round-Up!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I actually had this one all written up, took me an hour to do it, and then my stupid elbow hit the keyboard and the whole post got deleted! So, here we go again...

Today we will be looking at books that promote (or at least are accepting of) veg diets for dogs. If you have to pick and choose, the first two books listed are essential for guardians of vegan dogs and cats.


First up is Obligate Carnivore: Cats, Dogs, and What it Really Means to be Vegan by Jed Gillen. If you have vegan pets, or are considering switching your pets to a vegan diet, you need to read this book. It discusses the ethical arguments for putting pets on a vegan diet and refutes the misconceptions that many people have on this topic. UPDATE: Now available in an updated and expanded 2nd edition!

Then we have Vegetarian Cats & Dogs by James Peden (one of the developers of the VegeDog and VegeCat supplements), which is currently only available on CD-ROM. UPDATE: I have been able to obtain a used copy of the print version of this book. The copy I have is from 1992. It covers the reasons why people might choose vegan diets for pets, basic nutrition info, has stories of people who have been successful feeding a veg diet to their dogs and cats, and lists and refutes common arguments against veg pets. This book has tons of good info, and I recommend picking it up. It wasn't easy to find an affordable print copy, so the cd version is probably your best bet.

There is also an older book called Dogs and Cats Go Vegetarian by Barbara Lynn Peden. This one is currently out of print, but you can locate used copies online. The one I have is from 1988 and mostly discusses the history of the VegePet supplements, along with the reasons people have veg pets, some basic nutrition info, and recipes meant to be used in conjunction with the VegePet supplements.

Next is Vegetarian Dogs: Toward a World Without Exploitation by Verona reBow and Jonathan Dune. This book has basic nutrition info for dogs, as well as vegan dog food recipes and a few stories of the authors' vegan dogs.

UPDATE: There is a new e-book, Vegan Dogs: Compassionate Nutrition by James O'Heare. It has in-depth nutrition information for vegan dogs, discusses feeding a homemade diet, and includes a balanced recipe. According to the introduction, the book will be updated periodically, as new information becomes available. The book itself is free, however if you find it useful, please consider donating to the Vegan Dog Nutrition Association.

UPDATE: A brand new book about vegan dogs, is now available. The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book contains information on vegan diets, expert opinions from vets, and many recipes.

UPDATE: Another brand new book, It's A Vegan Dog's Life is now available! It covers lots of topics and has over 50 vegan treat recipes.

I also have a few books that, while they aren't specifically about veg diets for dogs, are supportive of the idea.

First is the classic Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, Ph.D. and Susan Hubble Pitcairn. The book is a great resource on natural health and nutrition. There is a section on vegetarian diets for dogs with some ovo-lacto veg recipes, and even a section on why people should go veg! The book is not as supportive of vegan diets, but it is amazing for a vet to promote even ovo-lacto diets in such a popular book. The copy I have is the 2nd edition, printed in 1995, the 3rd edition printing is available now.

Another "natural health" book is The Complete Holistic Dog Book: Home Health Care for Our Canine Companions by Jan Allegretti and Katy Sommers, DVM. Both of the authors are vegetarian, and one of them has a vegetarian dog. The book has a section on vegetarian diets for dogs (which includes the wonderful quote "many dogs actually blossom when switched to a meatless regimen",) and has a short section on what the authors feed their own dogs.

There are many books out there about home-cooking for dogs and dog nutrition. One that is frequently recommended is Home Prepared Dog and Cat Diets by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, Ph.D. It includes basic nutrition information for dogs and cats, info on cooking for your pet, and recipes. There are several veg recipes for dogs and puppies, some of which are vegan except for the use of bonemeal as the calcium source. If one wanted to, one could certainly calculate the amount of calcium in each bonemeal dosage and substitute with a vegan calcium supplement.

I also have two vegan dog cookbooks. One is the Yummy for Dogs cookbook, which I already mentioned a few posts down. It has tons of recipes for meals and treats, for all occasions. They are all vegan, except for a couple of recipes that use honey.

The second cookbook I have is The Wholesome Dog Biscuit: A Barker's Dozen. This is a great resource for dogs with allergies, as all the recipes are wheat and corn free and most are soy free. It has 13 vegan dog treat recipes, with helpful info on the easiest way to prepare and bake dog biscuits, as well as short articles on safe and toxic foods for dogs, dealing with food allergies in dogs, and living with vegan dogs.

It seems veggie dogs are becoming more widely accepted. I picked up the Collies magazine from the Popular Dogs series, and in the feeding section it mentions "dogs can get along quite nicely on vegetarian dog food...". Now that is something I didn't expect to see in a mainstream publication. The magazine DogFancy even had a short blurb on veg dog foods several months ago that was very positive. I hope to see this trend continue.

Free Balanced Recipe!

I don't know how long this promo code will work, so if you want to do this, do it fast! Go to BalanceIt.com, select their pet lovers page and formulate a recipe. You have to choose a protein source and a starch source; their only vegan protein source is tofu. Then you choose a recipe option. Check the details on each one, it will tell you the ingredients (some have added chicken broth for flavor, but some are totally vegan.) Then you have to fill out your name and email, your pet's name, breed and age, etc. It will give you the option of getting the recipe formulated using normal human vitamins, or their own BalanceIt supplements. Go ahead and check off only the one with "normal" vitamins, unless you want to pay for their supplements. Then on the order page, you must fill out the contact info, but you do NOT have to fill out any credit card/payment info. Enter "homemade" (without the quotes) in the "Promo code" box on the right. This will retally your price to $0.00. At that point, you will be able to view your recipe. I recommend printing it out immediately. I just did this 5 minutes ago, so I know it works as of today. The recipe will be balanced for your dog's size, age, and breed!

The Vegan Dog Nutrition Association

From their site: "The Vegan Dog Nutrition Association is a network of professional consultants, writers, educators, other dog care experts, and dog guardians that share an interest in advocating for vegan diets for domestic dogs and informing others."

They have articles, recipes, resources, and an email list dedicated to the discussion of vegan dogs.

Check it out here.

Recipe- Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes

I've been getting a lot of hits from people searching for a way to make their own sweet potato dog chews, so here you go. I've never done this myself, but it's simple enough.

Sweet Potato Chews

Thoroughly wash sweet potatoes. Cut down the middle lengthwise. Cut long lengthwise slices about 1/3 of an inch wide and place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

Bake in the oven at 250 degrees for about 3 hours. This will leave them with a chewy texture. For crunchier treats, bake longer until they are the desired consistency.

Vegetarian Dog Videos

It's Only Natural-Vegetarian Dogs?
A short video promoting V-Dog food, but interesting for the fact that they interview veterinarians who are comfortable recommending veg diets for dogs.

VegTv-Organic Vegan Dog Food
An interview with a representative from PetGuard foods discussing their vegetarian and vegan dog foods, and how dogs do well on these diets.

These next two videos feel a bit like you've accidentally wandered into a strange church, and they are subtitled in about 15 different languages (which can be distracting or useful, depending on your situation). Very soothing though.

Vegan Food for Animal Companions
An interview with the founder of downBOUND.com (which sells vegan dog and cat food) on the topic of vegan diets for pets. Part 1 of 2.

Vegan Food for Animal Companions Pt. 2
An interview with the founder of downBOUND.com (which sells vegan dog and cat food) on the topic of vegan diets for pets. Part 2 of 2.

A Collection of Recipes

If you haven't checked out the Yummy for Dogs site, you should do so right now! They are providing vegan recipes for dogs free of charge. They even encourage you to sell their treats, as long as you give all the profits to animal rescue. This would be a great fundraiser for your local animal shelter, or you could even bring some of the cookies to the shelter to treat the homeless pups.

Their recipes are organised into the following categories: Biscuits, Entrees, Desserts and, for our non-doggie friends, Wildlife Food, Bird Food, and Rat and Mouse Food. There are also a couple of recipes for Grooming Products! It is recommended on the site that you use a supplement, such as Vegedog, with the entree recipes, as they are not formulated to be "complete and balanced".

You can also purchase the Yummy for Dogs cookbook through Lulu.com. All proceeds are donated to animal charities! (I'm not sure if the cookbook has the same recipes as the website, but Sable and I are definitely purchasing it. The money goes to help doggies, so I recommend you purchase it too.)

P.S. Sorry for the lack of updates lately, I've been a bit too busy!

UPDATE: I got my Yummy for Dogs cookbook in the mail today. It has lots more recipes than the website, even recipes for holidays and other special occasions. All recipes are vegan, with the exception of honey in a few recipes. If you avoid honey, it would be fairly easy to replace with other natural sweeteners, most dogs aren't picky! There is also a section in the back of the book on starting your own Yummy for Dogs program to raise money for animal shelters. Two paws up!

Cruelty-Free Grooming Products

People who are vegan for ethical reasons know that it's about more than just diet. Just as you check to make sure your shampoo isn't tested on animals, you should be checking your dog's too. Obviously as a collie, Sable requires quite a bit of grooming. I have been able to discover many cruelty free shampoos, conditioners, grooming sprays and more! This list is far from comprehensive, check around, there are new products and companies arriving on the scene all the time!

J.R Liggett's, My Dog Fergie's Shampoo- I just used this shampoo to bathe Sable, as well as my dad's two German Shepherds, Basko and Lobo. All three dogs came out incredibly soft and shiny. And poor old Lobo (who has such sensitive skin that other shampoos have caused him to break out in hives) looks fantastic, and is not itchy at all!

Cloud Star, Buddy Wash- A large selection of shampoos, conditioners, and grooming sprays. I have linked to the entire product line, please check the ingredients of products before purchase.

Earthbath Pet Products- Environmentally friendly shampoos, conditioners, grooming spray and pet wipes- the wipes are extremely useful for "spot cleaning". Some products, such as their bath bar, contain honey, so please check ingredients before buying.

Tropiclean, SPA- Not much info up on their site yet, but the local pet supply store carries their shampoo, and it says 100% cruelty-free on the labels. Interesting products, such as doggie bubble bath and facial scrub.They do not seem to be listing ingredients on their website, so contact them if you are interested.

The Well Adjusted Dog Co., Dog Nose Balm- For dry, cracked noses. Also works on paw pads! Natural, 100% vegan ingredients.

Mullein Ear Cleaner- Natural, vegan, cruelty-free ear cleanser for dogs.

Sable says "It's not easy being this beautiful."

Coupon for Vegan Biscuits!

Good until March 31st, by using the code VDAY8SQ986 at Boston Baked Bonz, you can save 10% on your purchase! The code can only be used 25 times, so I suggest you move quickly! Boston Baked Bonz is a 100% vegan dog bakery, they sell a variety of fresh-baked dog biscuits, along with hand painted collars, and gift boxes for special occasions. Sable loves their ginger cookies! (As a disclaimer: I do earn store credits when the code is used.)

The Need to Gnaw.

A dog's gotta chew what a dog's gotta chew. Alright, enough puns. You've probably noticed by now that most dogs enjoy chewing on things (like your shoes, your furniture, your mp3 player...). It's important for a dog to have his own safe chew items, especially for young dogs. Obviously for vegan dogs, rawhides (yuck), pig ears (double yuck), and many of the chew bones marketed for dogs are out. Worry not. I have searched far and wide to find chewies for your pup!

First, the "non-edibles". These toys are very durable.

Nylabone-UPDATE: In an email from the Nylabone corporation (thanks healingpaws!), they give the following info on which products contain meat and which do not:

Nylabone Non-Edible "Original" flavor chews (including Dental Chews) contain a small amount of chicken or other meat-based powder. The "Chicken," "Liver" and “Bacon” lines have extra flavor, meal or powder added. Our Dog-Safe Chocolate Flavor is an Original flavor bone coated with a chocolate-flavored caramel coating.

The following chews and toys do not contain meat or meat-based protein of any kind:

For Strong Chewers: Double Action Chews, Double Action Dental Chews, Bar-B-Chews T-Bone

For Moderate Chewers: Bar-B-Chews Cob Bone and Rib Rack

Interactive Toys: FRISBEE flying discs, Chubby Buddies (plush), Flexible Tug Toys, Rhino rubber Cones and Bones (vanilla scent), Rhino Tug Toys & Rope Toys (vanilla scent)

I hope this information helps you select an appropriate Nylabone for your dog.


Sincerely,
Christa Wilding
Nylabone Consumer Care
PO Box 427
Neptune, NJ 07754-0427
info@nylabone.com
www.nylabone.com
Tel: 732-897-6897 / 800-631-2188 x8976897

So it seems that their "chocolate flavor" does contain traces of meat. (Aaargh!!!) Sorry for any confusion. The good news is several of their new items do not contain animal products, according to the email.

Kong-the other classic. A great toy for keeping your dog occupied, they can be stuffed with food to keep your dog interested. Good for keeping your dog out of trouble when you aren't home. (Their website is all graphics-y, so if you don't have a high-speed connection, be forewarned.)

Smart Chew- Sable was obsessed with these for a while. They are made by the Greenies company, but are not the edible chews (which are not veg by the way). These come in different "strengths" (Hard, Medium, Soft). The "Hard" seems to be made from nylon, like nylabones, The "Medium" and "Soft" are more rubber-like. They have "a burst of melon flavor", which could be why Sable liked them so much. (Yes, I did try to taste one, no, it didn't taste like anything.)

Now for the edible chewies:

Sam's Yams-I talk about these a lot, huh? Sable loves them. They are dehydrated sweet potato chips, great for dogs with food allergies, since sweet potato is the only ingredient. They don't last super long, but take longer to chew than a biscuit.

Vegan "Pig Ears"- Again, these don't take long to chew up, but they are a definite hit with most dogs.

Healthy Edibles Bones: Vegetable with Vitamins- According to Nylabone Co. these are a "100% vegetarian product". They come in various sizes, please find the one appropriate for your dog, and supervise to make sure she is not swallowing large pieces.

Cloud Star Farmstand Slices -Available in Sweet Potato, Carrot, and Apple. These are round, flexible slices that hardly last longer than a biscuit for large dogs, but Sable loves them just the same.

These various chews aren't in the U.S. unfortunately, but I believe the site will ship to you if you pay extra. There's a good selection listed here.

UPDATE: Ami Vegan Bone Chew Treats are now available in the US through vegancats.com!

All aboard the chew-chew train!

Commercial Vegan Treats

Sometimes you just don't have time to bake your own dog biscuits. These vegan treats are available at many pet supply stores.

PetGuard:
Mr. Barky's Vegetarian Dog Biscuits
Mr. Pugsly's Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Cloud Star:
Buddy Biscuits Sweet Potato Madness (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Buddy Biscuits Molasses Madness (Corn and Soy Free)
Buddy Biscuits Peanut Butter Madness (Corn and Soy Free)
Buddy Biscuits Veggie Madness (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Farmstand Slices: Apple, Carrot, and Sweet Potato (Wheat, Corn, Soy, and Grain Free)
Muttos Oatmeal and Blueberry Flavor (Corn and Soy Free)
Muttos Peanut Butter and Green Apple Flavor (Corn and Soy Free)
Trail Hounds Peanut Butter Flavor (Corn and Soy Free)

Old Mother Hubbard:
Just Veggin' (Corn and Soy Free)

Front Porch Pets:
Sam's Yams (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Green & Clean (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Berry Yammy (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Newman's Own Organics:
Vegetable Formula Treats (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Meyer Country Farm:
Bellyrubs Peanut Butter Dog Treats (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Bellyrubs Veggie Flavor Dog Treats (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Nature's Animals:
Original Bakery Biscuits Peanut Butter Flavor (Soy Free)
Gourmet Select Organic Carrot Crunch (Soy Free)
Gourmet Select Organic Peanut Butter and Carob (Soy Free)

Northern Biscuit:
Harvest Vegetable (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Peanut Butter Crunch (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Copacabana Peanut Butter Banana (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Bark Bars:
Peanut Butter Crunch (Corn and Soy Free)
Wheat and Corn Free (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Brownie Delight (Corn and Soy Free)

Onesta Organics:
Veggie Hides-Original and Banana (Wheat, Corn, Soy, Rice, Gluten and Grain Free)

Sojourner Farms:
Monzie's Organic Dog Treats (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Wet Noses:
Pumpkin Cookies (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Apple-Thyme Biscuits (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Dooces (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Darford:
Vegi-Hearts and Mini Vegi-Hearts (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Super Premium Peanut Butter Biscuits (Soy Free)
Organic Veggie Hearts (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Organic Triple P'Nut (Corn and Soy Free)

Zuke's:
Mini Bakes Peanut Butter n' Berryz (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)
Superfood Biscuits: Very Berryz, Mean Greenz, and Health Nutz (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Boston Baked Bonz
All Biscuits are Vegan!

I have been able to find all of these treats in local stores. They are all vegan according to their ingredient lists I have found online, however ingredients can change without notice so please check the packages before you buy. If you find any of this information to be incorrect, please let me know.

Happy Treating!

Vegan Dog Food Recipe #4

This recipe comes from Halo, Purely for Pets. They manufacture non-veg dog food, but this recipe happened to be vegan. You may even want to share this with your dog, if she'll let you!


HEALTHY CORNUCOPIA FOR DOGS
Yield: About 8 Cups

1/2 cup brown rice
1/2 cup celery, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup carrots, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup acorn squash (or yellow squash), coarsely chopped
1/2 cup zucchini, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup tofu
1/2 cup portabella mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon tamari (or natural soy sauce)
Dash of oregano
Dash of rosemary
4 to 6 cups spring water

Combine all the ingredients in a stainless steel pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the rice is tender. Remove from the heat and let cool. Serve at room temperature topped with one or all of the following condiments: a sprig of parsley, 1 teaspoon crushed garlic, and/or 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger. Using ziplock bags or plastic containers, make up meal-sized portions and freeze whatever you won't use within 3 or 4 days.

*Remember to rotate recipes frequently! (Are you sick of me saying that yet?)

Vegan Collars and Leashes

I had been looking for a while for a sturdy, comfortable collar for Sable. Obviously leather was out, and nylon didn't seem too comfy to me (and since my dog wears her collar 24/7, I wanted it to be comfy!) Then one day, I came across a pretty hemp collar by Planet Dog. It was very soft and flexible, and the fact that it was made with hemp, a renewable resource, was a plus. Check out the collars here (and don't forget to put an ID tag on that collar!). They also have matching leashes and assorted toys for sale, some made from recycled materials. The toys shaped like artichokes, eggplants, and strawberries seem especially appropriate for vegan dogs!


Hope all doggies out there are doing well and having fun. I'll be posting more recipes soon, promise!

Check out these happy vegan dogs!

Veg For Life's Vegan Pet Photo Gallery (Sable is there too!)

Vegepet's Gallery of vegan pets and their stories

Vegan Dog Food Recipe #3

This sample diet is from the Animal Protection Institute (API). They note that the diet has not been formulated for daily feeding over a long period of time. (I'd like to stress again, no recipe should be fed daily for a long period of time. "Variety, Variety, Variety" is essential for a balanced diet.) Please read their full instructions for feeding using this recipe. I've provided the recipe utilizing their vegan food options only to simplify it for you. Be aware that the taurine and carnitine dosage suggestions they list on their page are much much lower than usually recommended, and are not (I feel) high enough for vegan dogs.

DIET FOR ADULT DOGS:

Amounts given are adequate for one day’s feeding of a 20-35 pound dog (depending on age & activity level). Adjust amounts proportionally for your dog’s weight. Starches may be decreased or omitted in case of digestive problems or for weight loss.

CHOOSE ONE PROTEIN SOURCE:

• 1/2 cup tofu, firm
• 1 cup soybeans, cooked
• 1 cup lentils, cooked

CHOOSE ONE STARCH SOURCE:

• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 cups cooked potato, with skin, chopped or mashed
• 2 cups cooked macaroni
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup plus cooked black-eyed peas
• 2-1/2 cups rolled oats, quick, cooked (1-1/4 cup raw)
• 1-1/2 cups cooked brown rice plus 1 cup cooked kidney beans

SUPPLEMENTS:

• puréed veggie mix (up to 1 cup)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil, or 1/2 Tbsp olive and 1/2 Tbsp flaxseed oil
• 400 mg calcium (elemental, as calcium citrate or carbonate)
• 1/4 tsp salt substitute (potassium chloride) — give 3 or 4 times a week
• 1 multiple vitamin-mineral supplement (human quality)
• 1 probiotic/digestive enzyme supplement

Vegetarian dogs should get Vitamin B12, carnitine , and taurine supplements.

Hey folks.

Updates may not be as frequent for now as they were in the beginning, due to my schedule. I'll just be posting a few dog related links today.

A great article on dog trainer Dr. Ian Dunbar

Itchmo.com- where I get my daily pet-related news.

Petfinder.com- Find a new friend!

If you have any questions for me (about vegan dogs or dog issues in general), please ask away. I'll always do my best to help.

Sable says "Time for a rest!"

Vegan Dog Food Recipe #2

This was the second dog food recipe I tried. It is great for breakfast or a mid-day snack (for your dog, silly!) In case your computer is like my mom's and has a stroke at the mere mention of adobe acrobat, I will post the version of the recipe that I make here.

Vegetarian Dog Food Recipe by Asians for Humans, Animals, and Nature (AHAN)

1 Cup Quick-cook oats
1/4 Cup smashed, cooked Pinto Beans
1/4 Cup Wheat Bran
1 Tbs Soy Lecithin
1 Tbs Nutritional Yeast
1 Tbs Wheat Germ
1 Tbs Ground Sunflower Seeds (unsalted)
1/6 Tbs Blackstrap Molasses
1 tsp Ground Flax Seed
1/2 Tbs Oil (Canola, Coconut, Hemp, etc)

Combine all ingredients. Add hot water to form an oatmeal-like consistency and let sit for 20 minutes. Serve.

You can add in any healthy veggies and fruit you have on hand for a little flavor. The soy lecithin I was able to find in the vitamin/supplement section of my local Whole Foods. The sunflower seed I purchased (already shelled) and ground myself. I don't always have wheat bran on hand, so I do leave it out occasionally (its main purpose is providing fiber, which most vegan dogs get plenty of.) I usually double the recipe, you can keep leftovers in the fridge for a few days, or freeze them in meal-sized portions.

Remember, variety is important to your dog's diet, so don't just make the same recipe over and over. Don't be afraid to experiment with different recipes and food!

Yummy For Dogs Birthday Cake

Every year, I bake Sable a cake from this recipe. (Yummyfordogs.org has tons of vegan doggie treat recipes. Bookmark their site!) It's super easy and a big hit with the dogs! Carob chips can be a bit tricky to find, try your local health food store, or order from an online store. *Do not replace the carob with chocolate!* These are photos from Sable's 7th birthday last June. I tried to make the number 7 with Mr. Barky's dog biscuits. It didn't work out too well.

Happy New Year!

Hope 2008 is a great year for all you vegan doggies and your humans!