I have many vegetarian friends. If properly formulated a vegetarian diet can give the body all the nutrients it needs. Does that mean I advocate a vegetarian diet for my dog? NO.

Dogs, while not true carnivores like cats, are not as herbivorous in their diet as bears. They need more meat, yes. I would classify them as somewhere between an omnivore and a carnivore. Dogs can process and digest proteins from plants and grains. Does that mean that a wild dog would be eating carrots and broccoli, with some kasha or oatmeal? No, of course not. But wild canids like coyotes and foxes are very opportunistic. They will eat berries and fruit and plants. And the stomach content and intestines of herbivores is frequently eaten first by many predators. What do you think is in there? Plants! Slightly fermented of course.

Many dogs in third world countries are not fed meat unless they can catch it themselves. They are fed grains, rice, veggies, fruits and what little is left over after the family eats. True they are not the most nourished animals, but I think that stems more from where they live and how much food is available rather than what exactly they are eating.

BTW, there are many classes of vegetarianism. Not all are so strict about eliminating all animal products and by-products from their diet.

Well I think the worste part about PETA right now is that its attracting 'star power' like Woody Harleson, and Prince to the 'cause'. All this does is spread crap, and make them look good. On the PETA website they went so far to say that the ALF is like the Underground railroad. I wish the fedral gov't would figure out that PETA is becausely a legit front to a terrorist organization and shut them down. I think the vegitarian diet for dogs is anothropormophism (spelling). Just because you think its health for you doens't mean its health for your dog.

As far as me eating meat. It is my absolute favorive food. I love it. Primerib, steak, ribs, porkchops, hamburger, sausage, eggs, bacon, lambchops, fried chicken, Eel (thats right Eel), shrimp, lobster, crab...darnit now im hungry.

Robert

People in hollywood are generally idiots that jump on a bandwagon because it's fashionable or in. Come on.....how much time does anyone think these people really devote to these causes. This subject makes me nausiated(did I spell that right?) and it infuriates me at the same time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> The thing is, these PETA people have no freakin' life so they have all this time on there hands to talk and spread nonsense. It all trickles down. PETA is the extreme, however I know plenty of everyday people who aren't PETA members who have some ridiculous beliefs on animals. Not to get off topic but in Northern NJ there is this whole Black bear issue. What is it gonna take...a kid to get mauled? These bears are routinly breaking into people's houses for God's sake but the animal rights wako's keep up with their anti- bear hunt nonsense. The only solution is for the other side to remain just as active as them. Just because someone is a realist with common sense dosen't mean they advocate any form of cruelty to animals.

Well thats the problem is people are generally idoits, and for some reason hold people from hollywood up on a pedistal.

Well its nice to know there are animal rights wacko's outside of Oregon. We seem to get more then are fair share. I was talking to my mom the other day and she told me that there is a a group that she read about that is trying to bring to light what PETA, the ALF, ELF do and how violet and un-peaceful they really are.

Chuck, you know if a bear mauls a kid they'll just chalk it up to thats the way bears act. Now if it was a dog on the other hand....

Robert

Originally posted by L Swanston:
I think the people in the example were probably not formulating the diet properly. . These people fed a vegetarian commercial dog food. They didn't formulate it themselves it was already done. They said the company name but I can't remember it. I worked at vet clinic where a Dalmation was fed a canned vegetarian diet. That stuff looked and smelled like sh*t.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Karmen Byrd:

 Quote:

Originally posted by L Swanston:
I think the people in the example were probably not formulating the diet properly. .

These people fed a vegetarian commercial dog food. They didn't formulate it themselves it was already done. They said the company name but I can't remember it. I worked at vet clinic where a Dalmation was fed a canned vegetarian diet. That stuff looked and smelled like sh*t.

If the dog was anemic, he needed iron. The idea that meat is the only source of iron is false. And, just because something looks and smells like shit doesn't mean dogs won't love it! Dogs aren't exactly known for their delicate sensibilities. How many of you have had dogs who think the kitty litter box is dessert? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Again, I don't advocate forced vegetarianism for anyone. For me, my dietary choices are my own personal decision, just like your dietary choices are yours. It's the dietary golden rule.

BTW, people who don't eat ANY animal products are "Vegans". "Vegetarians" eat eggs, milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and some don't even consider fish to be "real meat". You don't have to be a wacko to be a vegetarian or a vegan, either. For some people, it's about health and all the medical ailments that accompany a diet high in red meat, from arteriosclerosis to colon cancer. My father in law is off red meat because he had to have bypass surgery due to a clogged artery (almost had a heart attack) caused by his diet high in red meat. The guy loves red meat, loves animals, but has no ethical dilemmas with eating them. It's purely a health issue. So, just as someone can be a realist with common sense without advocating any form of cruelty to animals, one can also be a vegetarian or a vegan without being an extremist wacko.

So, for those who own the Pitcairn book, does it not say that dogs are not "true carnivores"? And does that change your ideas about natural feeding, or affect your level of trust with those particular authors? Or are we all just jumping on the "vegetarian bashing bandwagon" here?

Just wondering, from Oregon...... a state known for independent thinkers! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Ok, now that everyone has got their shots in about feeding dogs veggie diets, I'm going to close this thread.

If you guys want to continue to talk about diets, start a new thread.