BUT WHY SWITCH TO A VEGAN DIET?
There are a number of benefits for cats and dogs that come with a plant-based diet:
STEP #1: RESEARCH
A good place to start is with these 2 overview articles on vegan pet food for dogs and cats:
This recent study shows that vegan cats live just as long (or even longer) than cats on a meat-based diet.
We also recommend that you take online assessment for your cat or dog on our website. And within a few steps you'll know whether vegan pet food is suitable for the individual needs of your furry friend. At the end of the assessment you can opt to receive a FREE VEGAN sample bag with kibble.
TAKE VEGAN PET FOOD ONLINE ASSESSMENT
STEP #2: TRANSITION TIPS
GRADUAL transition is the key to a successful transition, as it will give the body the time it needs to adapt to new food. To get your dog or cat started, mix 1 PART plant-based food with 4 PARTS of their current food. Gradually increase the proportion of the plant-based product until you only feed 100% plant-based meals at the end of two weeks.
When the transition to new food is not done gradually sometimes vomiting may occur. If your cat or dog was on a meat-based diet and you provide them a plant-based food right away (abrupt change in diet), this may cause a vomiting reaction. So it is very important for the transition to be GRADUAL.
Add some water to soften the kibble, and be sure to always have a clean bowl of water available.
While this is not a requirement, we also recommend adding enzymes for better digestion. Some dogs and cats have sensitive stomachs and adding enzymes can aid in the transition to a plant-based diet. Furthermore, enzymes allow for a greater absorption of the nutrients, which decreases the food requirement (in other words, if you add enzymes, you can provide less food and your pet will get just as much calories and nutrients due to increased absorption level).
PICKY EATERS
While most transitions to a plant-based diet go smoothly, some cats and dogs may need more time and extra care during this period. Your pet may not like the taste of the novel food right away. If this is the case, we recommend:
Add Nutritional Yeast to the plant-based product (1 tsp. yeast : 1 cup of vegan food). Then during the following two-weeks gradually reduce nutritional yeast to zero. Nutritional yeast makes the food taste like cheese, which is the flavor pets like very much. In addition, the nutritional yeast has important health benefits too, so you can continue adding nutritional yeast long after the transition is finished.
Mix kibble with the wet food. Wet food is often more attractive to dogs and cats in comparison with dry food due to its scent and texture. Feeding this option is more cost-effective than feeding wet food only. It is also gives your cat or dog some variety in their meals, keeps their bodies hydrated and promotes dental health because it still provides crunchy kibble.
Add some peanut butter to the food. Its delicious taste and nutty texture are very appealing and will add more flavor to the meal. It is also a good source of protein, healthy fats, niacin, vitamins B and E. Should be given in moderation since it is high-calorie.
Add a bit of coconut oil to your pet's meals to make the food more enticing and palatable. Choose organic, virgin, cold-pressed oil and given it in small amounts due to high level of saturated fats. If your furry friend seems to be not so attractive to coconut oil or have an allergic reaction to it, try flaxseed oil as an alternative. Do not give oil to animals struggling with pancreatitis, diabetes or overweight.
Create a consistent feeding routine if you know that your cat or dog is a picky eater. This will help to correct their behavior. Set a mealtime schedule and stick to it. Leave food out for no longer than 30 minutes. If you cat or dog doesn't eat it, then take it away. Don't offer any more food or extra treats until the next scheduled feeding time. You can also walk your furry pals or play with them 15-20 minutes before each meal to stimulate hunger.
Try a different formula. If your pet doesn't like one food, try another one. Take a look at our COLLECTION.
STEP #3: MONITOR
MONITOR PH OF URINE
Switching to a Vegan Diet can make the body more alkaline and this needs to be monitored.
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To monitor pH of urine use the CheckUp Kit for Cats or CheckUp Kit for Dogs
- Add VegeYeast for optimal urinary health. Loaded with B vitamins and protein, it is also a good acidifier.
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Cranberry powder is another natural acidifier that can be helpful.
MONITOR THE WEIGHT
Like with humans, plant-based diet in cats and dogs keeps body in a good shape. Combined with healthy lifestyle, this type of diet will keeps your furry friend's weight in check and is very beneficial for animals struggling with the overweight. However, loosing too much weight after switching to vegan diet is not the norm and may be caused by several reasons:
Transition was not done slowly and gradually according to the recommendations in STEP#2. So we strongly recommend to follow the instruction.
Your cat or dog eats less since they don't like the taste of new food. Try another brand or flavor. Give your furry friends different samples and let them choose.
MONITOR STOOL
In general, plant-based diet results in softer and more frequent stools and that is completely normal. However, in some cases, changing your companion animal's diet can be the cause of developing diarrhea. It may take a few days for the digestive tract to completely adjust to the new food. To avoid developing loose stool, it is strongly recommended to slowly change your companion animal's diet like it is described in STEP#2.
Diarrhea can also occur due to allergy or intolerance to some ingredient in your cat or dog. Avoid this ingredient in your furry friend's food by carefully examining its content.
MONITOR THEIR EATING PROCESS
Monitor how they are eating - are they being picky, are they gobbling up the food? Are they picking some parts over the others? If you notice they are not enthusiastic about a particular formula, try another one!
Every animal is different and for some of them transition may take more time than for others. Just give them this time and do it step by step.
FINALLY: TRY A SAMPLE
To help you start the transition, do try a Vegan pet food sample.
Cat owners may try a sample bag of Ami Cat kibble (0.6 lb bag) for their beloved friend. And for dog owners Ami Dog small kibble (2.2 lb or 6.6 lb bag) can be a great start. Ami formula is nutritionally complete, balanced and made from 100% plant-based sources with no artificial dyes or preservatives. It is one of our best-sellers -- companion animals love it!
Contact us at support@vecado.ca for questions regarding transition or use our Chat window and someone on our team will assist you. We are here to help!
