Food

Vegan explains why shes switched her dog to a plant-based diet too

Sarah E Brioche
Sarah, a vet, became vegan in 2014 (Picture: Sarah E Brioche/ Facebook)

Becoming a vegan might mean you stick to a plant-based diet but what about your pets?

Sarah Dallera, from Sydney, Australia, became vegan in 2014 and has since changed the diet of her beloved canine Brioche too.

Brioche now lives on a meal plan which includes cooked sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas, broccoli, and zucchini.

Sarah E Brioche
Sarah soon transitioned her dog Brioche onto a plant-based diet (Picture: Sarah E Brioche/ Facebook)

Sarah wasnt aware that dogs could live on vegan foods but began researching when she decided to give up meat and dairy products herself.

After working as a veterinary nurse for ten years, Sarah decided she no longer wants to support the meat industry because of its treatment of animals.

The 36-year-old did some research and she found that dogs are omnivores so soon transitioned Brioches diet.

In (Brioches) dog food there is a lot of quinoa, theres broccoli, a lot of types of fruit, and she has some hemp seeds which are really full of protein, said Sarah.

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While pets can live on plant-based diets, the main concern for vegan dogs is a lack of protein and amino acids.

Meat is regarded as an important source of protein for dogs and humans alike. If a dog receives too little protein, calcium, or vitamin D, his or her health could be jeopardised. The change in diet can also result in weight loss and reduced growth.

That means anyone hoping to feed their pet vegan foods will need to make up for it by adding supplements and making sure theyre fed well.

(Picture: Sarah E Brioche/ Facebook)

According to veterinarian and former president of the U.S. Humane Society Dr. Michael Fox, some adult dogs do adapt and even thrive on well-balanced vegan diets, but most do best with a variety of foods that include some animals fats and protein.

Still, dogs could benefit from a vegan meal at least once a week to detox, he said.

Anyone hoping to change their pets diet should consult with a vet and do their research into the safest options available to them.

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