The Best Vegetarian Dog Food

Protein

• One of the biggest limitations on what a dog can eat, in terms of a vegetarian diet, is protein. Protein is made up of amino acids. There are 22 different amino acids, 12 of which the dog can make himself, 10 which he must have in his diet. When deciding on a vegetarian diet, as long as these amino acids are present, the diet can be composed of most any vegetables desired.

  Proteins are given a score for pet foods in terms of how well the food supplies the required amino acids. These essential amino acids that must be represented are arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Eggs are a balanced source protein that provides all of these amino acids. Milk protein is another high-level protein and contains most of these. Milk protein can be made from dehydrated milk that comes in a powder form.

Foods

• Many vegetarian pet foods are commercially produced and available at most pet stores or online. They will typically be located next to regular varieties made by the same manufacturer. Be sure to read the back of the bag for the list of ingredients to ensure the food is truly vegetarian and that it has an adequate source of protein like eggs or milk powder.

  To make a vegetarian diet at home, begin with the basic requirements of your dog. Your vet can help you determine his calorie and protein needs. Next choose one or more protein sources as the base for the diet. Again egg and milk are both good options. Add starches such as rice, yams or potato as well as other palatable vegetables to bulk out this meal. Some dogs may be picky about eating so much greenery, so keep a close eye on what he eats and what he leaves out. This way you can modify the diet as needed to ensure he eats it all and gets his caloric requirements.

  Some people consider fish as a part of a vegetarian diet. Fish is an excellent source of protein and amino acids as well as fat to give a healthy skin and coat. Fish is also highly palatable to most dogs and can be used alone or in combination with other protein sources. For animals with allergy issues where a limited ingredient diet is recommended, it may be necessary to try several recipe combinations of protein and vegetables to find one that is both vegetarian and non-allergenic.