New Vegetarian Dog Food by The Humane Society of the United States

The HSUS presents a new organic vegetarian dog food, called Humane Choice. 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.

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.

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.

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!

New research shows dogs can thrive on a vegetarian diet

This 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 here.

Sable wishes everyone happy holidays!

Canned Organic Pumpkin and Sweet Potato for Dogs

Okay, I'll admit, I picked these up because the name was just so dang cute. Introducing Nummy Tum Tum! Just 100% organic pureed pumpkin or sweet potato. Pumpkin is great for dogs with tummy issues (helps with both constipation and 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??

Another 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 It's a Vegan Dog's Life and is available for purchase here. 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 here. And you can check out the It's A Vegan Dog's Life blog here.

Happy Reading!

(What's Halloween without a thoroughly humiliated collie?)

Vegan Dog Food Premixes

Hey, wow, I kept my promise to post again and it hasn't been overly long since the last post. Incredible. Moving on...

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.

Dr. Harveys:
Veg-To-Bowl (100% GRAIN FREE)

Sojos:
Original Dog Food Mix (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

Monzie's Organic Muesli (Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free)

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!).

Oh, yes, Sable says "Hi!"

News, 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.

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...

The formerly out of print book Obligate Carnivore:Cats, Dogs and What it Really Means to be Vegan by Jed Gillen is now back in print, in a second expanded edition. Available from VeganCats.com and Vegan Essentials, among other places. Buy it, read it, memorize it, and be ready for pop quizzes (okay, okay, no quizzes).

An upcoming book entitled The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book by Michelle Rivera 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!)

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 canned vegetarian formula 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.

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!'

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.)

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.)