Spanish pet food industry analyzes vegetarian diets for dogs and cats

Lately, Animal Health published a study on the social impact of veganism and vegetarianism on pets and their owners in Spain. Following this, the National Association of Pet Food Manufacturers (anfaac) published a fact sheet discussing it. security between vegetarian diets for dogs and cats.

“Are vegetarian diets suitable for dogs and cats? Before answering this question, it is worth noting that. cats and dogs have very specific nutritional needs it depends on variables such as race, activity level, age, size and gender”, they state from Anfaac.

In this sense, they point to a being. common belief based on nutritional needs cats and dogs are similar and they can be given the same food. “This is a error: both species have a different evolution and their own needs,” they warn.

For example, they explain, cat this obligate carnivore and their nutritional needs are very demanding. For this reason, owners are generally not recommended to start them on a vegetarian diet. “Important, in any case, consult a veterinary nutritionist before making such a decision,” they underline from Anfaac.

“This kind needs a lot of protein and amino acids that your body deteriorates very quickly. If resources are scarce, they cannot reduce the rate of degradation, making them particularly susceptible to shortages. of special importance taurinean amino acid found only in proteins of animal origin. It is an essential food for cats and its deficiency can cause blindness and/or heart failure,” they say from the national association.

Additionally, they underline that arachidonic acid, an essential fatty acid derived from animal sources, is also relevant; preformed vitamin A (retinol), because cats cannot use enough provitamin A from vegetables; and vitamin B12 naturally found in meat.

VEGAN DIETS FOR DOGS AND CATS

this dogsin your name, point from Anfaac, yes they are omnivores and they can adapt to a vegetarian diet as long as it is balanced.

“There is wider range of vegetarian food for dogs commercially prepared and for most owners this is the safest way to give them a vegetarian diet, but we stress the need to consult a veterinarian or animal nutritionist beforehand”, they point out.

On the other hand, they stress that the vegan nutritional status for dogs and cats from Anfaac deserves a “separate analysis”. “In this case, a rigorous examination by a veterinarian or animal nutritionist is requestedbecause these modalities may be deficient in arginine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, taurine, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin A and some B vitamins,” they emphasize.

“It’s also worrying little nutritional control what to do homemade vegetarian diets, as numerous studies have shown. Especially when it comes to cats, a meticulous planning and special treatment by a veterinarian or nutritionist so that the possible homemade vegetarian diet provided is nutritionally balanced,” explain from Anfaac.

As the national unity points out, it should not be forgotten that Dietary deficiencies can have a significant impact on health and well-being long-term pets

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