Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals
Companion animal owners are increasingly concerned about the links between degenerative health conditions, farm animal welfare problems, environmental degradation, fertilizers and herbicides, climate change, and causative factors; such as animal farming and the consumption of animal products. Accord...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2016-09-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/6/9/57 |
| _version_ | 1818364775923449856 |
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| author | Andrew Knight Madelaine Leitsberger |
| author_facet | Andrew Knight Madelaine Leitsberger |
| author_sort | Andrew Knight |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Companion animal owners are increasingly concerned about the links between degenerative health conditions, farm animal welfare problems, environmental degradation, fertilizers and herbicides, climate change, and causative factors; such as animal farming and the consumption of animal products. Accordingly, many owners are increasingly interested in vegetarian diets for themselves and their companion animals. However, are vegetarian canine and feline diets nutritious and safe? Four studies assessing the nutritional soundness of these diets were reviewed, and manufacturer responses to the most recent studies are provided. Additional reviewed studies examined the nutritional soundness of commercial meat-based diets and the health status of cats and dogs maintained on vegetarian and meat-based diets. Problems with all of these dietary choices have been documented, including nutritional inadequacies and health problems. However, a significant and growing body of population studies and case reports have indicated that cats and dogs maintained on vegetarian diets may be healthy—including those exercising at the highest levels—and, indeed, may experience a range of health benefits. Such diets must be nutritionally complete and reasonably balanced, however, and owners should regularly monitor urinary acidity and should correct urinary alkalinisation through appropriate dietary additives, if necessary. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T22:09:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5ebdc0ea7aa4404b9b3608e8704eefdf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T22:09:44Z |
| publishDate | 2016-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-5ebdc0ea7aa4404b9b3608e8704eefdf2022-12-21T23:29:45ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152016-09-01695710.3390/ani6090057ani6090057Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion AnimalsAndrew Knight0Madelaine Leitsberger1Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UKCentre for Animal Welfare, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UKCompanion animal owners are increasingly concerned about the links between degenerative health conditions, farm animal welfare problems, environmental degradation, fertilizers and herbicides, climate change, and causative factors; such as animal farming and the consumption of animal products. Accordingly, many owners are increasingly interested in vegetarian diets for themselves and their companion animals. However, are vegetarian canine and feline diets nutritious and safe? Four studies assessing the nutritional soundness of these diets were reviewed, and manufacturer responses to the most recent studies are provided. Additional reviewed studies examined the nutritional soundness of commercial meat-based diets and the health status of cats and dogs maintained on vegetarian and meat-based diets. Problems with all of these dietary choices have been documented, including nutritional inadequacies and health problems. However, a significant and growing body of population studies and case reports have indicated that cats and dogs maintained on vegetarian diets may be healthy—including those exercising at the highest levels—and, indeed, may experience a range of health benefits. Such diets must be nutritionally complete and reasonably balanced, however, and owners should regularly monitor urinary acidity and should correct urinary alkalinisation through appropriate dietary additives, if necessary.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/6/9/57vegetarianvegancatdogFelis catusCanis lupus familiarisCanis familiaris |
| spellingShingle | Andrew Knight Madelaine Leitsberger Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals Animals vegetarian vegan cat dog Felis catus Canis lupus familiaris Canis familiaris |
| title | Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals |
| title_full | Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals |
| title_fullStr | Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals |
| title_short | Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals |
| title_sort | vegetarian versus meat based diets for companion animals |
| topic | vegetarian vegan cat dog Felis catus Canis lupus familiaris Canis familiaris |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/6/9/57 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andrewknight vegetarianversusmeatbaseddietsforcompanionanimals AT madelaineleitsberger vegetarianversusmeatbaseddietsforcompanionanimals |