Celebfads & vegan dogs.. thevet’s pet hates
DON’T RACE TO FOLLOW HAMILTON
Plant-based diets may be fine for humans but don’t make a dog’s breakfast out of choices for your pet
IF THERE is one thing that vets everywhere fear – aside from cat bites, rampaging veterinary nurses and stampeding horses – it is the “celebrity” endorsement of pets and pet products.
Generally based on little knowledge but a huge “following”, such acts have, in recent times, done a huge disservice to Chihuahuas, dachshunds, pugs, French bulldogs and Pomeranians.
So I have to admit that, when Lewis Hamilton announced that he had begun feeding his six-yearold bulldog Roscoe a vegan diet, my heart sank. Then it speeded up significantly when he claimed that already his much-loved companion had a softer coat, his swollen feet had healed up, he was no longer limping with the pain of arthritis and his breathing had “opened up”.
Swallowing the thought that Roscoe may well have been suffering from some sort of food allergy (yes, probably to meat), my concern was that “in awe”, loyal fans would think he had discovered the formula for nutritional success and speed to do the same without applying the extreme caution that any vet would tell you was required.
So what is “vegan” anyway? Most vegetarians are opposed to the killing of animals for food but some will eat animal by-products, such as milk, cheese and eggs.
The Vegan Society, however, defines veganism as a way of living that attempts to exclude as much as possible all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty.
Thus a vegan diet not only avoids meat but also dairy, eggs and animal-derived ingredients, including gelatin, honey, pepsin, albumin, whey, casein and some forms of Vitamin D3.
If you are not careful, this can result in nutritional deficiencies of iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids. Owners, therefore, have to remember that the short-term gains derived from perhaps removing dietary allergens can be replaced by long-term malnutrition. We know from a number of studies that veganism in humans may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancers – but what about our pets? It must be stated from the outset that cats are obligate carnivores. They need meat in their diet if they are to survive, as they cannot manufacture taurine, an essential amino acid found in beef, chicken and fish. Well-meaning though they may be, cat people who foist their principles on to their feline friend and make them “go vegan” will cause damage and risk prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. So beware.
Dogs, as you might expect, are different. As they evolved from wolves and spent more time closer to man and his dinner, dogs have developed the enzyme amylase, which can break down plant starch, allowing them to digest grains, rice, potato and other vegetables.
So Mr Hamilton is right? You can feed a vegan diet to dogs? Or can you?
Daniella Dos Santos, president of the British Veterinary Association, said: “If your personal belief system means you don’t want to eat any animal protein, that’s fine but that diet is not designed to meet the welfare standards of your pet.
“It is theoretically possible to feed a dog a vegetarian diet but it’s much easier to get it wrong than right.”
The very clever people at Cummings Medical Center at Tufts University in the US, similarly advise caution, saying: “A dog food plan devoid of animal fats and protein is potentially dangerous and should never be fed without the supervision of a professional.”
They add: “Proteins derived from animal products like collagen, elastin and keratin, all of which are vital for healthy skin, muscles and joints, are difficult, if not impossible, to derive from a vegan diet.”
Now, it may be that Hamilton had the inclination to research the topic thoroughly and consult with appropriate vet nutritionists, though that seems unlikely to me, and it may well be that he has seen short-term, immediate health improvements.
But to state that he is feeding his pooch a vegan diet is a bit like saying, “I drive a red car.”
The question is: “Is it a clapped out Fiesta or a meticulous Ferrari?”