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→Vegetarian/Vegan
A heated debate surrounds the application of the vegetarian-vegan nutritional concept to dogs and cats too. It is still unclear from a nutritional point of view whether a vegetarian or vegan feeding can ensure adequate nutrition for dogs and cats in particular.
A heated debate surrounds the application of the vegetarian-vegan nutritional concept to dogs and cats too. It is still unclear from a nutritional point of view whether a vegetarian or vegan feeding can ensure adequate nutrition for dogs and cats in particular.
Depending on the allowed inclusion of materials of animal origin, different sub-types of vegetarianism
can be defined, i.e.
Depending on the allowed inclusion of materials of animal origin, different sub-types of vegetarianism can be defined, i.e.
*Ovo-lacto vegetarian diet; includes eggs and milk products
*Ovo-lacto vegetarian diet; includes eggs and milk products
*Lacto vegetarian diet; includes milk products
*Lacto vegetarian diet; includes milk products
*Ovo-vegetarian diet: includes egg products
*Ovo-vegetarian diet: includes egg products
An ovo-lacto vegetarian diet is advantageous for dogs and cats as eggs and milk products will add essential amino acids from animal proteins.
An ovo-lacto vegetarian diet is advantageous for dogs and cats as eggs and milk products will add essential amino acids from animal proteins.
Vegans, however, reject the use of any material of animal origin and allow only plant-based materials in the bowls of their pets.
Regardless of vegetarian or vegan regimen, both dogs and cats have to refrain from meat and, subsequently, from important nutrients that are only present in meat. In addition to the deficiencies commonly observed in [[Feeding Types of Pet Food#Homehome-prepared (LINK) or [[Feeding Types of Pet Food#B.A.R.F. (LINK) diets, other vegetarian-vegan related potential deficiencies have to be taken into account. Cats are at particular risk in several aspects. The carbohydrate acceptance and digestive capacity in cats is limited compared to dogs. The metabolism of cats is adapted to utilise high amounts of protein with a high total protein requirement. Cats are unable to synthesize certain nutrients from precursors present mainly in meat, e.g. arachidonic acid (fatty acid), arginine, taurine (amino acids), vitamin A and B3 (niacin). For vitamin D and B12, this is the case for both dogs and cats.
A nutritionally complete vegetarian diet can only be achieved if the diet is carefully supplemented with specific nutrients, particularly during periods of increased demand such as growth, gestation and lactation. Strict vegan feeding, particularly for cats, cannot be recommended because of the difficulties in ensuring that the cat’s specific nutrient requirements are met.
== Paleo/Ancestral ==
== Paleo/Ancestral ==