We have had a few queries asking why we do not add L-carnitine to our protein packs as concerned dog owners have read that it is one of the requirements in a plant-based homemade diet for dogs.
Firstly, what is L-carnitine?
L-carnitine is a natural substance found in food, mainly meat. However, it is not considered an essential nutrient because the body can make it from the amino acids lysine and methionine.
L-carnitine is the nutrient that transports fatty acids to the mitochondria for use as a fuel source and research shows that muscle carnitine levels are rapidly depleted during exercise and muscular activity.
Our packs contain valuable marine phytoplankton that is rich in the amino acid lysine, and we add organic lupine protein and pumpkin seed protein powder that are both good sources of the sulphur amino acids one of which is methionine. There is L-carnitine added to the All-In-Veluxe supplement that we use as well in our packs but in a smaller quantity as the products used in our protein packs are so nutrient rich. Bananas are another source of lysine used in our Umami Recipe.
Why do we supplement with taurine?
The only research that seems to have gone into feeding plant-based or ‘alternative diets’ in dogs, mentions a lack of taurine as a possible cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. Sadly much of this research appears to have been done by the large corporate pet food companies, but as this is the only research everyone reads about, it is worth just supplementing.
Excess taurine is excreted by the kidneys, not stored in the body so it is not harmful if oversupplemented.
Is excess l-carnitine harmful?
Reported oversupplementing of L-carnitine in people includes symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea and stomach cramps. With these statistics in humans and knowing that our protein pack ingredients already contain the precursors to L-carnitine with methionine-rich maize/polenta and lysine-rich marine phytoplankton, we have chosen to not oversupplement and add in extra.
Vegdog All-In-Veluxe Supplement and Recipes COMING SOON!
We are so excited to not only be the importers of Vegdog Green Crunch to the UK, but we are working with their vet nutritionist Lisa Walther who formulated VEGDOG”s All-In-Veluxe Supplement to produce UK easy and 100% balanced delicious recipes
We just need to stop eating animals
As a small business, we will do all we can to continue to promote the nourishment of our pets with wholesome, clean and nutritious plant-based foods that hold no dangers of causing a second pandemic.
Interview with Dr Ernie Ward
So if you’re concerned about your pet food safety, let’s go plant-based. If you’re concerned about the carbon pawprint of your pet, then let’s go plant-based. If you’re concerned about your pet….
But aren’t dogs carnivores?
The maned wolf really blows the theory of our pet dogs needing meat in their diet completely out the water
Barney loves his snuffle blanket
This snuffle blanket is ideal mental stimulation for dogs
Bea climbed onto the sofa for the first time in over a year!
When we read this review, we felt quite emotional as the difference in Bea after only a month on a plant-based diet is remarkable
5 top reasons to choose a plant-based diet for your dog
There is evidence to prove that a plant-based diet that is properly balanced whether dry or homemade is kinder for your dog
We are so excited about our new ingredients!
Until we get our new recipe up and the new packs made, we are offering a 40% discount on all our current Umami protein packs
What no one tells you about wearing a face mask!
We are now told that when dealing with the public we have to wear a mask and here are some things that I experienced while doing vet work yesterday
See how much Marvin and Pedro like their food
Marvin was picked up as a stray by a local dog pound and the front leg was badly injured, they think he had been hit by a car
We support Donn and Río
Donn has pulled the pack off the counter before I could even start preparing them, and ate half of it as is!
The benefits of coconut oil
Lauric acid is responsible for many of coconut oil’s health benefits including its immune-supporting, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties
