[Animals] Veterinarians warn of the risk of a vegan diet for dogs and cats

[#Wittels-]

Following the informative interest on vegan diets in companion animals, British veterinarians have noted the importance of consulting with the veterinarian to decide on the diet of a companion animal

Recently, several British media have shown great interest in whether dogs and cats can be fed vegetarian or vegan diets. Interest has also grown in whether owners can be prosecuted under the provisions of British animal welfare laws for this reason.

For this reason, the president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), Justine Shotton, has appeared in various media, such as The Guardian, the Daily Express or BBC 5 Live, giving advice to pet owners.

In this sense, the BVA has shared statements by its president, which summarizes the position of the veterinary association on vegan diets for dogs and cats.

Thus, British veterinarians consider it positive that pet owners are interested in the origin and ethics of feeding their companion animals and recall that “a nutritionally balanced diet is essential”.

"Meat contains vital vitamins and nutrients that dogs and cats need. Although we do not recommend it, it is theoretically possible to feed a dog a vegetarian diet, but owners should seek expert advice to avoid dietary deficiencies and associated diseases, since it is much easier to get the nutrient balance wrong than to get it right. A dog on a vegetarian diet may also need synthetic supplements, "emphasized Shotton.

As for cats, they point out that they are obligate carnivores and should not follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, "since they need ingredients of animal origin to obtain essential nutrients, such as taurine and preformed vitamin A, which are minimal or even absent. in the vegetable ingredients ".

With ongoing scientific research on the subject, Shotton has underscored the importance of considering and evaluating all new published evidence. "Although on paper a vegan diet for cats may include supplements or alternatives to protein of animal origin, for example, there is no guarantee that they are bioavailable to the cat or that they will not interfere with the action of other nutrients," he says.

Therefore, the veterinarian explains that robust, peer-reviewed research is currently needed to ensure that protein sources cannot meet the pet's dietary needs.

THE OWNERS ARE OBLIGED TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE DIET TO THEIR PETS
"Our advice to pet owners interested in exploring alternative diet options for their pets is to speak with their veterinarian first, as any changes to a pet's diet should only be made under the advice of a veterinarian with a deep nutritional knowledge ", recommends the president.

Likewise, Shotton also stresses that all owners have a duty to care for their pets to ensure that they meet the welfare needs of their animals. "Under British Animal Welfare Law, owners have an obligation to ensure the welfare of their animals, including proper diet and deliberate suffering to any animal by failing to meet their welfare needs despite advice. of the experts, "he concludes.

This warning from British veterinarians is in line with the lack of awareness of the importance of animal protein as the main source of energy in pet food by owners. Thus, a survey by the animal health company Virbac revealed that the headlines do not know that their dogs and cats are eminently carnivores and that they need a diet rich in protein and low in carbohydrates.

 

Link: https://www.animalshealth.es/mascotas/veterinarios-alertan-riesgo-dieta-vegana-perros-gatos