For those interested in putting their pets on a vegetarian diet, we discussed cats recently, and now we are turning to dogs. Historically, dogs are omnivores. Although they are certainly predators, hunting and eating small, they also eat the stomach contents of their herbivore prey, and sometimes eat grasses directly.

The general view of experts is that a dog can thrive on a vegetarian diet, but it must be carefully formulated, and even then, some dogs simply don’t take to it. A dog’s diet needs to be high in protein, with essential amino acids and vitamin B-12. There are good vegetarian sources of protein – soy, legumes, etc. – but you might need supplements for your dog. In addition, a vegetarian diet can turn your dog’s urine alkaline, so you need to monitor that.


Many of the major food companies have started offering vegetarian food for dogs, and there are specialized smaller purveyors as well. Ask your local pet products store, and follow their leads. But please, if you want to make your dog vegetarian, do so in consultation with your veterinarian.

Do you have experience with feeding your dog a vegetarian diet? Please give us the scoop in our dog food forum.






Never totally trust what you read on the internet. Always consult a veterinarian, professional trainer or other expert.