Vegan Pet Food

What? Seriously? 

Yes. I buy a lot of meat, well not a lot, but for me it's a lot, and it all goes to my cat. She's not even your typical cat that likes fish, in fact she hates the stuff! She only wants the least ethically raised meat, chicken and beef. Of course I can't force our diet on our cat, it doesn't seem natural, but neither does the cheap food we feed her. So I turned to the internet! Let's find out about vegan pet food! 

For something like this, we have to split it into two different arguments:  Health and Ethics.

So what's not kosher about forcing your beliefs on something that relies on you to have its best interest at heart? Lots.

What's natural for the animal?

In nature, would your companion eat meat? Probably, they'll eat plants too, it aids digestion. But what are we feeding them from a can? Is it natural? Something the animal would eat in nature? Probably not! It's often diseased meat that's not deemed suitable for human consumption, and the industry simply adds things to make the food more appealing to our pets. And that's not restricted to meat-based foods, even our herbivore pets are being fed GMO products based on grains they're not adapted to eat.

Options, there are always options. 

Simply buy better food for your pets. Keep allowing your animals to eat meat, put aside your feelings of grief associated with buying and using animal products, and be happy that you're supporting an organic alternative to the current industrial system. Or go the extra mile and visit a raw pet foods store! Here's one in Sellwood, Natural Pet Food Solutions.

Or you can develop a meat-free diet for your pet! This route is more involved, and you will NEED SUPPLEMENTS! Your pet needs certain things from their food, and their bodies do not process food the same way as humans do. So you need to do some research and find out exactly what it is that your pet will not be getting through their new veggie-based diet. It is very important that their diet be supplemented. You do not want your cat dying from liver failure, it can happen very quickly!

But is it ethical?

That is a more difficult question, and will vary from person to person. Obviously you came to a decision in your life to no longer consume animal-based products or meat. And if honestly go the extra mile to completely cut off all sources of animal product you can, then I completely understand the desire to change your pet's diet as well. There are cancers and diseases associated with eating meat, particularly meat from our current agricultural system, and large benefits to eliminating those same things. So why not try and give your pet the same healthy lifestyle you've chosen? I couldn't tell you. But if you do, you need to be careful! 

Don't hurt the ones you love. 

Vegan Cat/Dog Food