Kissindra

anyone got any info on how much additives(vitamins/minerals/etc.) are in your standard meat based kibbles? Would be interesting to compair what things go into what kibbles to make them well balanced and what is the same/different.

well, from all I'm reading so far you HAVE to include synthetic products into a vego diet or it can not be properly balanced. So when you are talking synthetic additives vrs comes directly from nature(such an a BARF diet) it is only fair that one is natural and one isn't, yes? I can see what you mean in relation to tinned or highly processed foods though.

Im feeding my kids Veganpet kibble. Google it and it will come up. Has all the nutritional info on the website, and a full analysis done by the Professor of Applied Nutrition at Murdoch University. My dogs preferentially eat the Veganpet over their old meat based kibble. People have a very closed mind when it comes to vegetarianism, Ive heard all the insults before. It becomes boring. We have thought very hard about our belief systems, and really it comes down to what you can live with and what lets you sleep at night. I know my dogs are healthy, happy, content and fulfilled and I am not contributing to the slaughter of millions of animals to get there. Just wanted to note that the website does not list the full findings and appears to have missing information in what they HAVE summarised. Wish they would publish the whole things so consumers could actually evaluate the product completely. One part of the website says "The final analysis and reporting is currently being finalised by Dr Nick Costas at Murdock University in Perth, West Australia." so I'm not sure if they do actually have a complete set of findings at this stage. ETA - am making my way through the website trying to find it, if you have a direct link to the full and completed study please post and help me out! ETA - again, they don't even cover the full details of the basic methadology used for trials, how is anyone supposed to gain a fully and well researched view with so much detail lacking???

That is the sticking point for me, it's interesting to find out how people go about getting a well balanced vego diet (though I still want to find out what research there is on how well synthetic suppliments are absorbed) but I don't see how it's better to go the synthetic route rather than exploring the alternative more natural options of trying to source meat/bone in such a way that you are not adding to any kill rate, rather making better use of what is readily available.

...what about the suffering of the poor cats who are raised on inappropriate vegan diets who don't get the taurine they need? A cat who doesn't get taurine will die. That website does not stress the importance of supplementing cats with taurine, IMO. they do just far enough to push you have to buy their product...funny that :D

Im feeding my kids Veganpet kibble. Google it and it will come up. Has all the nutritional info on the website, and a full analysis done by the Professor of Applied Nutrition at Murdoch University. My dogs preferentially eat the Veganpet over their old meat based kibble. People have a very closed mind when it comes to vegetarianism, Ive heard all the insults before. It becomes boring. We have thought very hard about our belief systems, and really it comes down to what you can live with and what lets you sleep at night. I know my dogs are healthy, happy, content and fulfilled and I am not contributing to the slaughter of millions of animals to get there. Oh sorry I'd got the impression you were making your own vego diet. I appreciate that people have a closed mind, but I'm attempting to ask questions to find out more. The more people can answer the more everyone learns :D I get that people put a lot of thought into things, just want them to share what they've found.

according to the site they can provided they are fed their brand of food which has all the suppliments in it. Is that not the same as selling dog food with suppliments in it? Obviously the levels are different but doesn't it equate to the same thing - animal that needs meat to whatever degree being fed a meat free alternative? I know this is a hard topic so please understand my questions come from genuine interest and I just want to understand your views :D

Bum, I was really interested in learning someting about it, there were some other posters who said they fed vego and that it was possible for a vego diet to be fine for dogs - can those people share some info? ETA - Cavalier - you mentioned feeding you cavs vego but not your large breed puppy, I'm kind of confused as to what further research you would need to do other than what levels are right for a large breed pup. Presumably to have researched feeding the cavs you know already what vego food replace what ellements of meat/bones? Can you tell me more about this?

chuckandsteve - could you please give me some information as to what constitutes a good vegetarian diet for dogs? Obviously there are going to be variances between breeds but could you break it down into stuff like XYZ is a source of XYZ that dogs need?

Go adopt Biscuit and be done with it!

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slice of fruitcake anyone?

any reviews on the vets all natural joint support medi-treats? If anyone knows a reliable online stockist (that you've had good experiences with) of the joint guard treats I'd really apreciate it!

ooh I'll be reading replies with interest! Would people mind saying what breeds they use theirs for?

PP that is very reasuring to hear, after talking to Boo's breeder we've made an appointment to see Anna Deykin this Wednesday, so we'll know soon what the verdict is Boo is happy as ever and I've been able to stop worrying a bit once we had an appointment date set so I'm just going to hope for the best!

just wanted to say, I'm sorry you've had to go through this and I wish you many many years of joy and love with your beautiful pup. She is adorable and I'm glad she has you and you have her

thanks guys, I appreciate it - makes it so much easier to know others have had good experiences with specific people

thanks for the hugs and recs. guys, keep em coming. I was fine at the vet but the worry has set in, he's done SO well with his leg ops and I just want him happy and healthy!

Boo is only 2 and a bit years old. We'd noticed a cloudy area 3 weeks ago in his right eye and so this was the follow up appointment to look at that, the cloudy area hasn't gotten any worse so he thinks that is nothing to worry about but he got a better look at his eyes this time and noticed some early cataract signs, something about deep in the pupil it kind of looks like broken glass when the light is shined into it?

Vet is concerned over Boo's eyes, looks like early signs of cataracts, so we need to make a specialist appointment. They've reccomended the specialist centre at Albany Creek, if anyone has any info about them or other recommendations I'd be glad to hear them

oh CM I'm so sorry to hear this, Mega was such a big chunk of gorgeous! I didn't realise she'd only been with you for 21 months, she just seemed like she'd been with you forever by how happy and settled she was. The special bond between you was a beautiful sight. RIP grand old girl My love to your family CM :p you all gave her such a wonderful, loving home.

:laugh: Happy Birthday Daisy! How cute are all the pics? She's a beautiful evil beagle

Boo is nearly in the last phase of recovery, he had both back legs done and the results have been fantastic. As others have said you really do need to keep them as quiet as possible post surgery, but there are lots of ways you can keep them entertained yet contained

meanwhile today, nifty vollunteers will be out doing property checks on potential fosters, including my place. So hurray for all the dogs who are or will soon be in a home environment with a behavioural plan and the love and care they need to come out of their shells.

I have an awful habit of calling pugs "puggles" which I was doing before it was a "designer dog" name, I try not to say it now but I'm sure I'm going to piss off pug people inadvertantly one day