VegeTalk:
Your Veggie Pooch & the Planet
Can dogs safely go vegetarian?
How unnatural would it be?
How natural are conventional meat-based diets?
The majority of a dog’s carbon footprint
comes from their food. A plant-based diet
dramatically reduces greenhouse gases
and the pollution of land, air & water.
Nearly half our nation’s water supply goes to raising animalsfor food. For example, it takes2,400 gallons of water toproduce a single pound ofmeat. A meat-free dietconserves our preciouswater supply and reduces large scale animal suffering in agribusiness.
Animal agriculture is the biggest contributor toglobal warming, evenmore than transportation.A veggie diet is 100% animaland cruelty-free.
90% of deforestation iscaused from raising livestock.By feeding your pooch a veggie diet, you’re helping protect ourplanet’s vital ecosystems.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
www.inspection.gc.ca
Pet Food Regulations in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) job is to look after human food safety and production.
They regulate the importation of pet food and related products in order to prevent the introduction of foreign animal disease agents which might be present in contaminated pet food ingredients and pose a risk to the health of Canadian livestock. Some animal diseases can also pose a risk to the safety of the human food supply and public health.
The CFIA does not regulate pet food that is manufactured in Canada and sold domestically. Individual Canadian pet food manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of their products.
However, several laws do exist overseeing some aspects of pet food in Canada:
· The CFIA is responsible for ensuring any banned products don't get into pet food sold into Canada. They ensure that any tissues that are at risk of harbouring bovine spongiform encephalopathy will not be included in any pet foods, fertilizers or animal feeds.
· Health Canada ensures that no pet foods are sold using marketing or labels with unsubstantiated health claims.
· The Competition Bureau administers legislation surrounding proper labeling for packaged pet food.
· The Animal Feeds Act in Canada governs standards for livestock feed, but it does not cover companion animals (pets).
These laws do not govern the production of pet food at the manufacturing level, that is, what is contained in them and in what amounts.
There is No Regulating Authority for Pet Food Standards in Canada or the U.S
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) runs a voluntary pet food certification program in Canada. Companies can submit their pet foods to their laboratories and if they pass tests, they will be able to bear a special certification seal from the CVMA. However, it's not a food safety program; it's a nutrition quality assurance program, based on nutritional standards.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) runs a voluntary program for pet food manufacturers. They do not regulate test, approve or certify pet foods in any way. They establish the nutritional standards and it is the pet food company’s responsibility to comply.
Information taken from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Website www.inspection.gc.ca and cbc.ca
CFIA will refer you to PFAC regarding Canadian Pet Food Standards
Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC) is an industry association comprised of pet food manufacturers and companies that supply materials or services to the pet food manufacturing industry.
PFAC Definitions
What are by-products? By-products are an important source of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids for your pet. They come from the parts of animals that people do not usually eat.
What are rendered meats and are they safe? Rendering is a process used to reclaim fats and proteins. Rendering is done through cooking ingredients at very high temperatures. The end product is a fine ‘meal’ rich in protein and minerals. Rendered meals are an important source of nutrients for pet food.
www.pfac.com
Hazards Posed by Meat-Based Diets
The health hazards of commercial meat-based pet foods are extensive, and difficult to avoid. They may include slaughterhouse waste products; 4-D meat (from dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals); old or spoiled supermarket meat; large numbers of rendered dogs and cats from animal shelters; old restaurant grease, complete with high concentrations of dangerous free radicals and trans fatty acids; damaged or spoiled fish, complete with dangerous levels of mercury, PCBs and other toxins; pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, viruses, fungi and prions, and their associated endotoxins and mycotoxins; hormone and antibiotic residues; and dangerous preservatives. The combined results are rendered so delicious to cats and dogs by the addition of ‘digest’ - a soup of partially dissolved chicken entrails - that more than 95% of companion animals subsist primarily on commercial meat-based diets.
Unsurprisingly, diseases described in the scientific literature following long-term maintenance of cats and dogs on commercial meat-based diets include kidney, liver, heart, neurologic, eye, muscoloskeletal and skin diseases, bleeding disorders, birth defects, immunocompromisation and infectious diseases. As a practicing veterinarian I agree that so-called degenerative diseases such as cancer, kidney, liver and heart failure are far more common than they should be, and that many are likely to be exacerbated or directly caused by the numerous hazardous ingredients of commercial meat-based cat and dog diets.
- Andrew Knight DipECAWBM (WSEL), PhD, MRCVS, FOCAE
European Veterinary Specialist in Welfare Science, Ethics and Law
Fellow, Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics
Animal by-products: include blood or any of its components, bones, bristles, feathers, flesh, hair, hides, hooves, horns, offal, skins and wool, and anything containing any of those things, which are used as a source of protein in pet foods; or which are processed or rendered to produce a by-product such as meals, digests, slurries, etc.
As defined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The Public Health Agency of Canada currently has numerous recalls for pet food products contaminated with salmonella. Humans can become infected by handling pet food.
Recalls made major news headlines when pet food contaminated with melamine and cyanuric acid caused many pet deaths in 2007. Discovery of the contamination led to the biggest pet food recall in history, involving about 180 brands and some of the most prominent names in the business as well as dozens of retailers.
Tens of thousands of animals ate the poisoned foods, and many became sick, some fatally. The combination of melamine and cyanuric acid forms crystals in the kidneys, potentially leading to renal disease and renal failure.
Pet owners receive $12.4 million in melamine settlement (Oct 2011)
Most pet food recalls and associated pet deaths do not make headline news anymore.
Carnivore or Omnivore
The Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BANR) is part of the National Academies’ Division of Earth and Life Studies. They publish the ‘Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats’ – it is considered the gold standard for animal nutrition in the US and worldwide.
‘Dogs are truly omnivorous animals; they are not strict meat eaters. They will thrive on a nutritiously balanced plant-based diet.’ www.national-academies.org
It is accepted by most veterinarians and pet food manufacturers that dogs can be fed a plant based diet. There is no argument within these communities whether or not plant based foods are nutritionally complete.
The controversy against a plant based diet mainly consists of “just because they can survive on an omnivore diet does not mean it is the best diet for them”. This is also a common argument used to describe human vegetarians and vegans.
We have domesticated dogs and cats over thousands of years, conforming their lifestyles to be compatible to ours. Their days of foraging and hunting in the wild are long gone. Now we have a responsibility to care for these animals and make the best choices for them as they are completely dependent on us. Being a good guardian means providing them a diet that suits their nutritional needs and spares them potential health issues from conventional pet food, while reducing the suffering and unnecessary slaughter of other animals at the same time.
Does a Vegan Diet Meet the Nutritional Needs of Dogs?
For dogs, the answer is easy – yes. Like humans, dogs are omnivores and can survive by eating plants or animals. Dogs can thrive on a well-balanced plant-based diet, which meets all their nutritional needs.
www.VegePets.info was created to assist animal guardians and veterinary personnel in understanding the health and nutritional issues associated with meat based and vegetarian diets. This website provides detailed nutritional requirements and advice on smoothly transitioning your pet to a vegetarian diet.
Dogs are not obligate carnivores, and as such have an easy time being vegetarian. When you think about it, many if not most dogs in India are vegetarian and perfectly healthy.
– Lorelei Wakefield, DVM, New York
Dogs are not dependent on meat-specific protein, and can easily digest the majority of vegetables and grains. If you have any doubts as to the benefits of a plant-based diet for your dog, then you may want to consider having your veterinarian do a blood panel after several months on the vegan food. The results of this exam will demonstrate the benefits of a vegan diet.
Veterinarians say a common problem in dogs is skin disorders caused by allergies to food, particularly meat protein. Health benefits of a vegan diet for dogs are decreased incidences of cancer, infections, hypothyroidism and fleas, ticks and other ectoparasites; improved coat condition, diminished allergy symptoms; and improvements in disorders like arthritis, diabetes and cataracts.
Bramble, the vegan border collie, lived for 27 years and 211 days according to Guinness World Records. She is currently ranked the 5th oldest living dog. Her long and healthy life is attributed to her vegan diet of rice, lentils and organic vegetables.
Remember there is nothing magical about meat.
It contains no antioxidants or phytochemicals – that is plants.
Meat is just comprised of amino acids – protein.
Where Do I Buy Vegetarian Dog Food and Treats?
There are many commercial companies manufacturing vegetarian dog food. Below is a list of a few brands available in Edmonton.
V-dog
V-dog is a family-owned vegan dog food company. They are passionate about their commitment to animal welfare, and this includes a healthy, contaminate free choice of food for our companion animals. V-dog does not import any ingredient from any country. They use only “human grade” ingredients from the U.S., and the food is packaged in the U.S. V-dog contains only ingredients you can pronounce. Their product meets and exceeds the nutritional profiles established by the American Association of Feed Control Officers. (AAFCO)
Ingredients you can
actually pronounce.
Dried Peas, Brown Rice, Pea Protein Concentrate, Oats, Sorghum, Lentils, Canola Oil, Peanuts, Sunflower Hearts, Potato Protein, Brewers Dried Yeast, Alfalfa Meal, Flaxseeds, Natural Vegetable Flavor, Quinoa, Millet, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Vegetable Pomace (Carrot, Celery, Beet, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress & Spinach), Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Sodium Metabisulfite Complex, Folic Acid), Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite & Calcium Iodate), DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, L-Carnitine, Parsley Flakes, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, Preserved With Citric Acid and Mixed Tocopherols (Form of Vitamin E).
30 lb bag - $52.00
Free shipping - straight to your door
www.v-dog.com
Natural Balance Vegetarian
Dry - 28 lb bag - $62.50, canned – case of 12 – $24.95
G&E Pharmacy - 7326 82 Avenue NW, Edmonton
Technical Vegetarian now called ‘Hypo Allergenic’
G&E Pharmacy - 7326 82 ave, Edmonton
Petsmart – all locations, Edmonton
Ami Dog Dry Food and “Bones”
Earth’s General Store - 9605- 82 ave, Edmonton
Paragon Dog Chews – Veggie Ears
www.paragondogchews.com
Products based on starches from vegetables
Available at Walmart and G&E pharmacy
Sweet Potato Rawhides
Many different brands available at any pet store
ZUKE’S Pe Zuke’s Peanut Butter Treats
Zukes Z- B Zuke’s Dental Bones
www.zukes.com
Toxic Foods for Your Dog
1. Alcoholic Beverages - can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
2. Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources - can cause obstructions or laceration of the digestive system.
3. Cat food - generally too high in proteins and fats.
4. Chocolate, Coffee and Tea- contains theobromine and caffeine, which can be toxic and affect the heart perhaps fatally.
5. Fat trimmings - can cause pancreatitis.
6. Hops - Unknown compound causes increased heart rate, seizures, and death.
7. Human vitamin supplements containing iron - can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs, including the liver and kidneys.
8. Liver - in large amounts can cause Vit A toxicity that affects muscles and bones.
9. Macadamia nuts - contains an unknown toxin that can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscles.
10. Marijuana - depresses the nervous system, cause vomiting and changes in heart rate.
11. Moldy or spoiled food, garbage - can contain any number of toxins that cause vomiting and diarrhea and also affect other organs.
12. Mushrooms - wild-growing mushrooms can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
13. Onions, Chives and Garlic - contains sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
14. Peach and plum pits - obstruct the digestive tract.
15. Apple, pear, peach and cherry seeds - contain small amounts of cyanide, a powerful toxin.
16. Persimmon seeds - can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
17. Grapes, Raisins, prunes and plums- newly discovered to contain unknown toxins that may damage the kidneys when consumed in quantity.
18. Raw eggs - contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin. This can lead to skin, hair and coat problems. Raw eggs also may contain salmonella.
19. Raw fish - can result in a thiamine (B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and sometimes death. The problem is more common if raw fish is fed regularly.