Vegetarian Cats and Dogs

On the other hand, there seem to be no studies to show that a nutritionally complete and balanced vegetarian diet has ever been harmful to dogs or cats, and some pet nutritionists claim that there is no scientific reason why pet food formulated only of plant, mineral and synthetically-based ingredients cannot meet all nutritional needs. They are developing pet food alternatives using veggie or synthetic sources with the same basic cellular structure as their meat counterpart.

One such company is Harbingers of a New Age. They offer recipes and supplements that meet AAFCO nutritional guidelines. Their website boasts many satisfied customers who claim great benefits from a veggie diet for their companion animals. One story tells of two abandoned kittens who vomited everything except veggie foods and would not have lived except for the alternative diet. Another Golden Retriever, crippled with arthritis, is said to have regained flexibility and was, once again, able to jump into the back of the pickup, after switching to a veggie diet. Another dog, pictured sleek, healthy and energetic, is said to have been on a vegan diet for 4 years. Two more fit looking felines, almost a year old, are said to have been veggie since the age of 10 weeks and love their food. Their favorites are listed as garbanzos, rice and soy added to steamed celery, green pepper, and kohlrabi.

Little Tyke did not have the benefit of these modern balanced diets and scientists are still puzzled at how the vegetarian lioness survived and thrived on milk, eggs and grain. Perhaps she was a special messenger sent to inspire us to consider a peaceful time long ago in the Garden of Eden when there were no carnivores, and a time that is coming, spoken of in Isaiah 11:6-9, when the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, the lion and the calf will again rest together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord and nothing will be hurt or destroyed.

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