tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78779053542736591972024-03-14T00:21:22.698-07:00Sable's SupperSable is my dog. She's a 9 year old rescued collie who happens to be a vegan. I developed this blog to be a helpful resource for guardians of vegan dogs. Please check out my older posts as well as the resource section.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-16843537314593082762010-02-09T10:20:00.000-08:002010-03-14T12:57:15.387-07:00New Vegetarian Dog Food by The Humane Society of the United StatesThe HSUS presents a new organic vegetarian dog food, called <a href="http://thehumanechoice.com/index.htm">Humane Choice</a>. They do note that the sources for vitamin A, D, and B12 may come from animal-based sources . This food will be available at Petco and Whole Foods. The Humane Society will receive 6% of the wholesale price for every bag sold.<br /><br />The food is corn and wheat free, contains no genetically modified ingredients, and is USDA certified organic. The site notes that no animals were harmed in the making of the food, and feeding trials were conducted in dogs' own homes, with their guardians' and veterinarians' supervision.<br /><br />Even if you don't feed kibble, it's always nice to see new vegetarian products for dogs. The idea of veggie dogs has become less controversial and more accepted in recent years, and hopefully this trend will continue.<br /><br />ETA: Please consider emailing the company at info@thehumanechoice.com and asking them to consider switching to 100% vegan ingredients. There are 100% vegan dog kibbles out there, so the ingredients are available. Don't forget to thank them for making a humane dog food!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/S3Gq3H66QZI/AAAAAAAAAJw/eraYpsbNy00/s1600-h/peas-5635.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/S3Gq3H66QZI/AAAAAAAAAJw/eraYpsbNy00/s320/peas-5635.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436314089208562066" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-25740206951433823482009-12-23T19:50:00.000-08:002009-12-23T20:09:07.265-08:00New research shows dogs can thrive on a vegetarian dietThis is pretty significant. This study (published in the British Journal of Nutrition, Vol 102) followed a group of sled-dogs being fed a meat-free diet. They found that during a 10-week racing season, the dogs on the veg diet remained healthy and were able to perform just as well as the dogs on a meat diet. Now (ethical concerns about dog-sled racing aside) this is great news for vegan dogs and their people. The next time someone tells you, "Dogs need meat!" perhaps you can direct them to this study. More info on the study <a href="http://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/news/local/news/general/research-by-une-scientist-shows-dogs-thrive-as-vegetarians/1710403.aspx">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sable wishes everyone happy holidays!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SzLo-fL4j5I/AAAAAAAAAJo/xoV_VLKXUP8/s1600-h/collie+holiday+postcard.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SzLo-fL4j5I/AAAAAAAAAJo/xoV_VLKXUP8/s320/collie+holiday+postcard.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418649461901004690" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-13826324123373367382009-11-18T17:54:00.000-08:002009-11-18T18:06:58.416-08:00Canned Organic Pumpkin and Sweet Potato for DogsOkay, I'll admit, I picked these up because the name was just so dang cute. Introducing <a href="http://www.nummytumtum.com/">Nummy Tum Tum</a>! Just 100% organic pureed pumpkin or sweet potato. Pumpkin is great for dogs with tummy issues (helps with both constipation <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> diarrhea. So talented!) and sweet potato is always a doggie favorite (and healthy too!). The first time I gave Sable a spoonful of the pureed sweet potato mixed with her food, she tried to eat her dish. Just remember to give small portions (start out with a teeny tiny bit and work your way up). It's a great treat for dogs with tooth/mouth problems because it is smooth mush. And seriously, how cute is this packaging??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SwSnC7HCvmI/AAAAAAAAAJg/rMITk-wTQsg/s1600/pumpkinsweetpotato.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SwSnC7HCvmI/AAAAAAAAAJg/rMITk-wTQsg/s320/pumpkinsweetpotato.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405629121420246626" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-71005394874552308692009-11-09T12:51:00.000-08:002009-11-09T13:01:39.796-08:00Another Vegan Dog Book!If you haven't dedicated an entire bookshelf to the topic of vegan pets, now is the time! This latest book is called <span style="font-style: italic;">It's a Vegan Dog's Life </span>and is available for purchase <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33319110&ref=em">here</a>. There's a pretty extensive description posted there, I'll just say that it looks like this book covers tons of info, and it has over 50 vegan treat recipes. I'll be adding it to book round-up post <a href="http://sablessupper.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-round-up.html">here</a>. And you can check out the <span style="font-style: italic;">It's A Vegan Dog's Life</span> blog <a href="http://www.vegandogslife.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />Happy Reading!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SviCvYR4DnI/AAAAAAAAAJY/I5eHszgs8Sc/s1600-h/7622_1192814352778_1601002676_500807_7731607_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SviCvYR4DnI/AAAAAAAAAJY/I5eHszgs8Sc/s320/7622_1192814352778_1601002676_500807_7731607_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402211503513800306" border="0" /></a><br />(What's Halloween without a thoroughly humiliated collie?)<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-87786419028469831402009-10-03T14:33:00.000-07:002009-10-03T14:52:19.879-07:00Vegan Dog Food PremixesHey, wow, I kept my promise to post again and it hasn't been overly long since the last post. Incredible. Moving on...<br /><br />There are a few "premixes" for dog food that are suitable for vegan dogs. These mixes usually contain dehydrated veggies, grains, and vitamins and minerals. You add protein and fat along with hot water to make a complete meal. Instead of adding meat, just use beans, lentils, etc. for protein and various vegetable-based oils for fat. It's always a good idea to rotate protein and fat sources. I'm sure there are others out there that are vegan-friendly, these are just the ones I've seen.<br /><br />Dr. Harveys:<br /><a href="http://www.drharveys.com/products/show/13-veg-to-bowl">Veg-To-Bowl</a> (100% GRAIN FREE)<br /><br />Sojos:<br /><a href="http://sojos.com/dogfoodmix.html">Original Dog Food Mix</a> (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)<br /><br /><a href="http://sojos.com/monzies.html">Monzie's Organic Muesli</a> (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)<br /><br />Premixes are convenient and great for traveling (Just pack some dry premix, a can of beans and a little container of oil. Don't forget the can opener!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, yes, Sable says "Hi!"<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SsfHJxiBA7I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/z1puiFhgz1A/s1600-h/100_0527.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SsfHJxiBA7I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/z1puiFhgz1A/s320/100_0527.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388494449900848050" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-28042777050854404482009-08-31T17:03:00.000-07:002009-10-03T14:32:55.645-07:00News, Apologies, etc.First let me say that I am very sorry for neglecting this blog for so long. There are 2 reasons for this: 1.) My poor beat-up old laptop finally died (for good this time) and 2.) I am an excessively lazy person.<br /><br />Sable is wonderful (9 years old now, a vegan since 2003), everything is running smoothly, and (although I still have limited computer access) I will try to get in more updates when I can. On to the news...<br /><br />The formerly out of print book <span style="font-style: italic;">Obligate Carnivore:Cats, Dogs and What it Really Means to be Vegan </span>by Jed Gillen is now back in print, in a second expanded edition. Available from <a href="http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegancats&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=403576076&Count2=320716500&CategoryID=7&Target=products.asp">VeganCats</a><a href="http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegancats&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=403576076&Count2=320716500&CategoryID=7&Target=products.asp">.com</a> and <a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/the-obligate-carnivore-by-jed-gillen-2nd-edition.htm">Vegan Essentials</a>, among other places. Buy it, read it, memorize it, and be ready for pop quizzes (okay, okay, no quizzes).<br /><br />An upcoming book entitled <a href="http://bookpubco.com/products/simple-little-vegan-dog-book"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book</span> by Michelle Rivera</a> will include veterinarian opinions on vegan diets for dogs, lists of healthy vs. harmful foods, and dozens of recipes. (UPDATE: This book is now available for purchase!)<br /><br />For those times when you just need to grab a quick can of dog food (pet emergency preparedness kits, anyone?) Natural balance has released a <a href="http://naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/UPDCanned_Veg.html">canned vegetarian formula</a> to complement their dry Veg formula. The website describes it as " A TRUE Vegan Formula" containing "no dairy products or products derived from trace amounts of meat or dairy sources", yet it does list Vitamin D-3 (usually animal-derived, Vit D-2 is vegan friendly) in the ingredient list (the dry food lists D-2). Not sure yet if this was a typo, or what. As far as I know, Natural Balance Vegetarian Formulas (canned and dry) are the only wheat-, corn-, and soy-free kibble and canned veg dog foods on the market.<br /><br />I will really, truly try to post more frequently in the upcoming months. I do have several post topics floating around in my head (along with a million other assorted thoughts!). Until then, Sable says "Woof, woof!'<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/Spxqc4NiMII/AAAAAAAAAJI/ri44CD-y3Oo/s1600-h/100_0239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/Spxqc4NiMII/AAAAAAAAAJI/ri44CD-y3Oo/s320/100_0239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376289099531563138" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-70733921045875453112008-11-07T10:38:00.000-08:002008-11-07T11:03:47.535-08:00Pet Insurance Company Reports More UK Pets Eating VegFrom a press release by LV= insurance company:<br /><br /><blockquote>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 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>pet insurer LV= there are now more than 145,000 cats and dogs in the UK on a vegetarian diet.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /></blockquote>You can read the entire press release <a href="http://animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/lv-reports-dog-owners-swap-bones-for-broccoli-73093.php&itemid=200811062119240.90911">here</a>.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SRSQpOeARaI/AAAAAAAAAJA/XpExyP6lZLM/s1600-h/vegetables-t8482.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SRSQpOeARaI/AAAAAAAAAJA/XpExyP6lZLM/s400/vegetables-t8482.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265992902235932066" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-34940342002525304972008-08-24T14:35:00.000-07:002008-08-24T15:06:06.463-07:00News Flash!The online <a href="http://www.vegandognutritionassociation.com/course.html">Vegan Dog Nutrition Course</a> from the <a href="http://www.vegandognutritionassociation.com/">Vegan Dog Nutrition Association</a> 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.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=104094891">the myspace page</a> for the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Obligate-Carnivore-Really-Means-Vegan/dp/0974218006"><span style="font-style: italic;">Obligate Carnivore: Cats, Dogs, and What It Really Means to be Vegan</span></a>, 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.<br /><br /><a href="http://vegancats.com/">Vegancats.com</a> has been redesigned, and is offering a few new products. <a href="http://www.downbound.com/Vegan_Pet_Food_s/1.htm">DownBOUND.com</a> has quite a few treat options now.<br /><br />I've removed the link to Missing Link Vegetarian Supplement in the supplements post, due to new information from <a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/">Vegan Essentials</a> 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.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SLHZMQc4FSI/AAAAAAAAAGc/moc0ljqoDy4/s1600-h/nicoparty1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SLHZMQc4FSI/AAAAAAAAAGc/moc0ljqoDy4/s400/nicoparty1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238206646206338338" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-61370621472092917912008-08-01T15:24:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:29.870-08:00Vegetarian Dogs...in 1939?I just happened to stumble across this ad from an August 1939 edition of <span style="font-style: italic;">Popular Mechanics</span>. It shows dogs riding in luxury on the French ocean liner <span style="font-style: italic;">Normandie.</span> The dogs were provided with their own heated kennels, drinking fountain, life jackets, and gourmet menu. Something on the menu caught my eye.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SJOOO-ZvanI/AAAAAAAAAGM/hvC5NZyu8Y4/s1600-h/dog_funnel_0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 527px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SJOOO-ZvanI/AAAAAAAAAGM/hvC5NZyu8Y4/s400/dog_funnel_0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229679980227553906" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the menu, enlarged:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SJOOk73QqhI/AAAAAAAAAGU/IP0-eVBViKs/s1600-h/dogmenu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SJOOk73QqhI/AAAAAAAAAGU/IP0-eVBViKs/s400/dogmenu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229680357503183378" border="0" /></a>Interesting, no? From what I can tell, the meal involves fresh veggies and pasta. Or so my French-English dictionary tells me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-79477810805733978642008-07-13T17:28:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:30.222-08:00Healthy Supplements For Vegan Dogs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SHquATx-FFI/AAAAAAAAAGE/aeuGYmovufE/s1600-h/great-dane.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SHquATx-FFI/AAAAAAAAAGE/aeuGYmovufE/s320/great-dane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222678038222607442" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />Skin and Coat Supplements:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nuhemp.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=19_24&products_id=74">NuHemp Peanut Butter Smoothie Omega Sauce</a>- 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.<br /><a href="http://thehonestkitchen.com/products/sparkle.shtml"><br />Sparkle by The Honest Kitchen</a>- Contains burdock, dandelion, nettle, rosehips, and nutritional yeast (that's it!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?Page=&brand_id=304&dept_id=210&pf_id=10575302">Pet Guard Yeast and Garlic Wafers</a>- Brewers yeast and garlic supplements have been popular for decades as a natural flea repellant and aid to coat health.<br /><br />General Health Supplements:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/green-mush-companion-animal-nutritional-support-formula.htm">Green Mush</a>- A blend of "superfoods", including spirulina, barley and wheat grasses, kamut grass juice, sea vegetables, and so much more.<br /><a href="http://thehonestkitchen.com/products/invigor.shtml"><br />Invigor by The Honest Kitchen</a>- 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.<br /><br />Probiotic and Digestive Enzyme Supplements:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/prozyme-vegan-enzyme-supplement-for-cats-and-dogs-by-hoana.htm">Prozyme Vegan</a>- Claims to increase the absorption of vital nutrients and improve digestion.<br /><a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/plant-enzymes--probiotics-for-dogs-and-cats-by-animal-essentials.htm"><br />Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes and Probiotics</a>- Contains both probiotics and enzymes to aid in digestion.<a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/canine-formula-digestive-enzymes-by-dr-goodpet.htm"><br /><br />Dr. Goodpet's Canine Formula Digestive Enzymes</a>- According to the company, it can be used for animals with problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Pancreatic Enyme Insufficiency.<br /><a href="http://thehonestkitchen.com/products/perfect_form.shtml"><br />Perfect Form by The Honest Kitchen</a>- 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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-61806860853949956602008-06-23T11:05:00.000-07:002009-10-22T17:34:28.219-07:00Frozen 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, <a href="http://www.jbpet.com/cooling-items-for-pets.html">cooling bandannas</a>, and ice cubes to lick can help, but sometimes a special treat is needed.<br /><br />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! <a href="http://www.polar-pups.com/">Polar Pups</a> 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.)<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> While on vacation on Cape Cod, I stumbled across <a href="http://www.just4pooches.com/html/shopping/details/mrb01.shtml">Mr. Barksmith's Cool Treats</a>. 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.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SF_p9Vl3GvI/AAAAAAAAAF4/u2nmddJYJ3A/s1600-h/shell0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SF_p9Vl3GvI/AAAAAAAAAF4/u2nmddJYJ3A/s320/shell0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215144133495560946" border="0" /></a> (Photo from the Polar Pups website)<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-343584133496823282008-06-20T13:54:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:30.841-08:00Alicia Silverstone's Dogs Go Vegan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SFwc4DD9usI/AAAAAAAAAFw/ISYTPWVLIi4/s1600-h/ali-sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SFwc4DD9usI/AAAAAAAAAFw/ISYTPWVLIi4/s320/ali-sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214074217808378562" border="0" /></a><span class="adbriteinline"><p></p>According to <a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/entertainment/tittletattle/article_212153677.shtml">this article</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>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.<p></p> <p>She told UK TV talk show host Graham Norton: "I really care about animals, there's so much unnecessary suffering going on.</p> <p>"All four of my dogs are vegan, they don't fart any more! I eat delicious food but without cruelty."</p></blockquote></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-964447787399116442008-06-11T17:24:00.000-07:002008-10-27T15:01:10.869-07:00Fashion for the Veggie Dog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.cafepress.com/jitcrunch.aspx?bG9hZD1ibGFuayxibGFuazoxMTBfRi5qcGd8bG9hZD1MMCxodHRwOi8vaW1hZ2VzLmNhZmVwcmVzcy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvNzk1MTgxNF80MDB4NDAwLmpwZ3x8c2NhbGU9TDAsMTEyLDExMixXaGl0ZXxjb21wb3NlPWJsYW5rLEwwLEFkZCwxODgsMjAyfGNwPXJlc3VsdCxibGFua3xzY2FsZT1yZXN1bHQsMCw0ODAsV2hpdGV8Y29tcHJlc3Npb249OTV8"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://images.cafepress.com/jitcrunch.aspx?bG9hZD1ibGFuayxibGFuazoxMTBfRi5qcGd8bG9hZD1MMCxodHRwOi8vaW1hZ2VzLmNhZmVwcmVzcy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvNzk1MTgxNF80MDB4NDAwLmpwZ3x8c2NhbGU9TDAsMTEyLDExMixXaGl0ZXxjb21wb3NlPWJsYW5rLEwwLEFkZCwxODgsMjAyfGNwPXJlc3VsdCxibGFua3xzY2FsZT1yZXN1bHQsMCw0ODAsV2hpdGV8Y29tcHJlc3Npb249OTV8" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />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 <a href="http://www.cowpiecreek.com/index.cgi/cc/cowpiecreek/1209241">doggie T-shirt</a>? (Scroll down, there are several Veg*n styles!)<br /><br />Is your dog a "Level 5 Vegan"? Let the world know with <a href="http://pets.cafepress.com/item/level-5-vegan-dog-tshirt/103988930">this doggie shirt</a> (made in the USA).<br /><br />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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-61822465838376056652008-05-22T14:12:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:31.218-08:00New Vegan Dog Nutrition BookJust stopping in to alert you guys to a great new resource. <span style="font-style: italic;">Vegan Dogs: Compassionate Nutrition</span> 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 <a href="http://www.vegandognutritionassociation.com/vegandognutrition.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SDXm-cIXiYI/AAAAAAAAAFI/LKNC789FKTU/s1600-h/dogbowl.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SDXm-cIXiYI/AAAAAAAAAFI/LKNC789FKTU/s320/dogbowl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203318904874043778" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-14412888685557224172008-05-13T17:59:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:31.377-08:00Patience is a Virtue.Hello, loyal readers!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Also, I have purchased some <a href="http://vegepet.com/fordogs.html">VegeDog</a>, 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!).<br /><br />Thanks for reading, and remember, there are lots of interesting articles and websites in the links on the side of this blog.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SCo8IyOHI7I/AAAAAAAAAE4/94L3_SdOV8Y/s1600-h/collieeat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SCo8IyOHI7I/AAAAAAAAAE4/94L3_SdOV8Y/s320/collieeat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200034841370239922" border="0" /></a>(It's vegan. I say so.)<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-34483312694352025182008-05-06T13:00:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:31.866-08:00FYIAs 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.<br /><br />Meanwhile, let me introduce you to my other vegan pets, and Sable's best buddies, Karma and Kismet:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SCC50WQDJtI/AAAAAAAAAEw/zypGlSZvDx0/s1600-h/Photos+127.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SCC50WQDJtI/AAAAAAAAAEw/zypGlSZvDx0/s320/Photos+127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197358278962783954" border="0" /></a>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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-52579365522118891142008-05-01T17:17:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:32.102-08:00Joint Supplements for Vegan DogsAs 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Vegancats.com carries <a href="http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegancats&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=837215602&Count2=754356026&CategoryID=4&Target=products.asp">Prescription 2000 Glucosamine HCL</a>, in an easy to use powder form.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/vegan-glucosamine-with-msm--cmo-by-deva.htm">Deva Glucosamine with MSM & CMO</a> comes in tablets. MSM helps produce collagen, and CMO reduces inflammation.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> I have found a third vegan glucosamine supplement, made specifically for dogs. <a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/actipet-vegan-ha-supplement-for-dogs-glucosamine-msm-and-hyaluronic-acid.htm">ActiPet Vegan HA Supplement</a> contains plant sourced glucosamine, MSM, Hyaluronic acid, Vit C, organic alfalfa leaf, and manganese. It is available for purchase from Vegan Essentials <a href="http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegane&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=6267726&Count2=923408150&ProductID=2110&Target=products.asp">here</a>.<br /><br />Vitamin C is suggested as possibly helpful for arthritis. It is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, and also in supplement form.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Acupuncture, massage, swimming, mild exercise, and physical therapy can be very helpful to arthritic dogs, as can keeping them from becoming overweight.<br /><br />Please remember to check with your veterinarian before putting your dog on any supplements or exercise programs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SBpiomQDJsI/AAAAAAAAAEo/sC4wOTHU2FM/s1600-h/s_intelligent-dog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SBpiomQDJsI/AAAAAAAAAEo/sC4wOTHU2FM/s400/s_intelligent-dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195573569727440578" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-85330903992270480142008-04-21T16:09:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:32.307-08:00Minimizing Chemicals for Your Pet's HealthA 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 <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-16-pets-chemicals_N.htm?csp=34">here</a>. 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Carpeting:</span> 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!) <a href="http://www.purelypets.com/healthalert/carpetofchemicals.htm">More info here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Furniture:</span> 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your Dog's Bed: </span>Again, many of these have been treated with chemicals to make them stain-proof, fire retardant, whatever. Some are made of "<a href="http://www.chej.org/BESAFE/pvc/about.htm">PVC</a>", 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your Dog's Toys: </span>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 <a href="http://www.chej.org/BESAFE/pvc/about.htm">PVC</a>. 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 <a href="http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Whole Dog Journal</span></a> on this subject. ("The Dangers of Vinyl Dog Toys", April 2008)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your Dog's Bowl:</span> 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food Storage:</span> 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food:</span> 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!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Water: </span>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 <span style="font-style: italic;">at least</span> once a day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grooming:</span> Natural grooming products are widely available now. I have some listed <a href="http://sablessupper.blogspot.com/2008/02/cruelty-free-grooming-products.html">here</a>. Toothpaste can be made out of a simple baking soda/water paste.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flea and Tick Control:</span> If you <span style="font-style: italic;">must</span> 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 <a href="http://www.dirtworks.net/Botanical-Solutions-natural-insect-repellent.html">Tick Guard</a> 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 <a href="http://www.tickedoff.com/">remove</a> 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your Lawn:</span> 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 <a href="http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/activist/Herbicide%20exposure%20in%20scottish%20terriers.pdf">study</a> published in the April 15, 2004 issue of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association</span> found that Scottish Terriers exposed to lawn herbicides had <span style="font-style: italic;">four to seven times</span> 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!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Household Cleaning Products:</span> 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 <a href="http://housekeeping.about.com/cs/environment/a/alternateclean.htm">make your own cleaning solutions</a> 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't forget: </span>Fresh air, Sunshine, and exercise for your pup!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />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!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SA0suOO-KMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/jHI9MBrqw2s/s1600-h/Photos+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SA0suOO-KMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/jHI9MBrqw2s/s400/Photos+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191855118034544834" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-76896003602412174772008-04-16T13:02:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:32.448-08:00Pet Food Article in VegNewsThe May/June 2008 issue of <a href="http://vegnews.com/">VegNews</a> 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!<br /><br />For more information on what's wrong with the commercial pet food industry:<br /><a href="http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1">What's Really in Pet Food</a>- an API Report<br /><a href="http://www.preciouspets.org/truth.htm">The Truth About Commercial Pet Food</a><br /><a href="http://www.helpinganimals.com/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=34">Meatless Meals for Dogs and Cats</a><br /><br />Books:<br /><a href="http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=cdn168">Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts about Pet Foo</a><a href="http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=cdn168">d</a> and <a href="http://www.newsagepress.com/protectyourpet.html">Protect Your Pet: More Shocking Facts</a>, both by Ann N. Martin<br /><a href="http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=cdn142">Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats</a><br />The VegNews article mentions this book, which is scheduled to be available in May 2008:<br /><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?r=1&ean=9781884956836">Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Commercial Dog and Cat Food</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SAZhBQnlAUI/AAAAAAAAAEY/WqPW7iVXCjw/s1600-h/196002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/SAZhBQnlAUI/AAAAAAAAAEY/WqPW7iVXCjw/s400/196002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189942294859809090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The only way to be 100% sure of what is in your pet's food is to make it yourself!</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-16002232379551608872008-04-08T12:40:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:32.941-08:00Heartworm Pills for Vegan DogsWe recently had a conversation about this on the <a href="http://www.postpunkkitchen.com/forum/index.php">Post Punk Kitchen forums</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.heartwormsociety.org/article.asp?id=11">heartworm infection</a> 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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R_vOPD_Oh8I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/SOklahjPiNU/s1600-h/col30109.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R_vOPD_Oh8I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/SOklahjPiNU/s400/col30109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186966154011117506" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-77988286566572934002008-04-01T12:33:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:33.175-08:00The Vegetarian Dog Health SurveyThis 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 <a href="http://www.helpinganimals.com/pdfs/Dog_Health_Survey.pdf">here</a> (PDF file). The comments by participants at the end of the survey are also interesting. <a href="http://vegepets.com/pages/vegetarian_canine_diets.htm#HealthSurvey">This site</a> 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 <a href="http://vegepets.com/pages/vegetarian_canine_diets.htm#UrinaryAlkalinization">here</a>.) 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Attn Readers</span>: 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.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R_KVcT_Oh7I/AAAAAAAAAEI/nbvgCTE5QK8/s1600-h/collipups.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R_KVcT_Oh7I/AAAAAAAAAEI/nbvgCTE5QK8/s400/collipups.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184370434691205042" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-26345239555984461422008-03-26T10:42:00.000-07:002008-11-06T20:58:33.465-08:00Basic Canine Nutrition GuidelinesI 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 <a href="http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/dog_nutrition_final.pdf">here</a>, from the National Resource Council (PDF file). It uses info taken from the NRC's <span style="font-style: italic;">Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats</span>, which is now available as a comprehensive book- for $265.00! (Personally, I'll stick with the free info!)<br /><br />A few of the books listed in <a href="http://sablessupper.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-round-up.html">my last post</a> 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.<br /><br />The Vegan Dog Nutrition Association will have an online "<a href="http://www.vegandognutritionassociation.com/course.html">Vegan Dog Nutrition Course</a>" in the future, for a "suggested donation" of $25 or more.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Lastly, <a href="http://www.nutritiondata.com/">nutritiondata.com</a> will give you the nutrient profiles of individual foods. You can also have recipes analyzed to find their nutritional data.<br /><br />Happy learning!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R-qVuD_Oh6I/AAAAAAAAAEA/Jnf1XUHgTX8/s1600-h/sablerunning.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R-qVuD_Oh6I/AAAAAAAAAEA/Jnf1XUHgTX8/s320/sablerunning.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182118939820197794" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-15265254195198802912008-03-12T11:42:00.000-07:002009-11-09T13:03:40.792-08:00Book 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...<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R9hfAZhdeII/AAAAAAAAAD4/iv9k5CMyH70/s1600-h/GirlandDogReading.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R9hfAZhdeII/AAAAAAAAAD4/iv9k5CMyH70/s320/GirlandDogReading.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176992232118253698" border="0" /></a><br />First up is <a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/the-obligate-carnivore-by-jed-gillen-2nd-edition.htm">Obligate Carnivore: Cats, Dogs, and What it Really Means to be Vegan</a> 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. <span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> Now available in an updated and expanded 2nd edition!<br /><br />Then we have <a href="http://vegepet.com/literature.html">Vegetarian Cats & Dogs</a> by James Peden (one of the developers of the VegeDog and VegeCat supplements), which is currently only available on CD-ROM. <span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Next is <a href="http://vegetariandogs.com/VDWebsite/home.htm">Vegetarian Dogs: Toward a World Without Exploitation</a> 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> There is a new e-book, <a href="http://www.vegandognutritionassociation.com/vegandognutrition.html">Vegan Dogs: Compassionate Nutrition</a> 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 <a href="http://www.vegandognutritionassociation.com/">Vegan Dog Nutrition Association</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE: </span>A brand new book about vegan dogs, is now available. <a href="http://bookpubco.com/products/simple-little-vegan-dog-book">The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book</a> contains information on vegan diets, expert opinions from vets, and many recipes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> Another brand new book, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33319110&ref=em">It's A Vegan Dog's Life</a> is now available! It covers lots of topics and has over 50 vegan treat recipes.<br /><br />I also have a few books that, while they aren't specifically about veg diets for dogs, are supportive of the idea.<br /><br />First is the classic <a href="http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=cdn142">Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats</a>, 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.<br /><br />Another "natural health" book is <a href="http://www.healthypetboutique.com/servlet/the-230/THE-COMPLETE-HOLISTIC-DOG/Detail">The Complete Holistic Dog Book: Home Health Care for Our Canine Companions</a> 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.<br /><br />There are many books out there about home-cooking for dogs and dog nutrition. One that is frequently recommended is <a href="http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=CDN180">Home Prepared Dog and Cat Diets</a> 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.<br /><br />I also have two vegan dog cookbooks. One is the <a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/118812">Yummy for Dogs cookbook</a>, 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.<br /><br />The second cookbook I have is <a href="http://www.akpress.org/2005/items/wholesomedogbiscuit">The Wholesome Dog Biscuit: A Barker's Dozen</a>. 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.<br /><br />It seems veggie dogs are becoming more widely accepted. I picked up the <a href="http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-magazines/popular-dogs/articlecollies.aspx">Collies</a> 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 <a href="https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/B6/DFY/DFY_US_sub_e-premium_screensaver.jsp?cds_page_id=39530&cds_mag_code=DFY&id=1205350408919&lsid=80721433289020697&vid=1&cds_mag_code=DFY">DogFancy</a> even had a short blurb on veg dog foods several months ago that was very positive. I hope to see this trend continue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R9gxs5hdeHI/AAAAAAAAADw/YJ9nWFi5a9o/s1600-h/collieprint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R9gxs5hdeHI/AAAAAAAAADw/YJ9nWFi5a9o/s400/collieprint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176942419087554674" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-58080766691595821772008-03-03T11:11:00.000-08:002008-11-06T20:58:34.445-08:00Free 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 <a href="http://www.balanceit.com/">BalanceIt.com</a>, 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!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R8xPctedGYI/AAAAAAAAADo/y-AVn9DrE78/s1600-h/colliepups.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R8xPctedGYI/AAAAAAAAADo/y-AVn9DrE78/s320/colliepups.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173597426604120450" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877905354273659197.post-29812305381137000782008-03-01T19:46:00.000-08:002008-11-06T20:58:34.756-08:00The Vegan Dog Nutrition Association<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >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."<br /><br />They have articles, recipes, resources, and an email list dedicated to the discussion of vegan dogs.<br /><br />Check it out <a href="http://www.vegandognutritionassociation.com">here</a>.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R8okH9edGXI/AAAAAAAAADg/Eu2HLVCxx7A/s1600-h/collieyard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoqZTLnXmPk/R8okH9edGXI/AAAAAAAAADg/Eu2HLVCxx7A/s320/collieyard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172986841168419186" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com