As so many studies have already shown, dogs can easily digest starch (i.e. the plant-based carbohydrate storage unit). They even produce the enzyme in their mouths to begin the digestive process – we are quite sure that many of you have seen the long strings of saliva hanging from your dog’s mouth when they smell something irresistible?
The rest of the starches can then be processed in your dog’s small intestine. Calculations have revealed that they can digest about 99 % of plant-based starch if provided to them in a suitable form.
It is so important to blend or carefully mash any homemade food that is fed to your dog to ensure that all valuable nutrients can be absorbed adequately.
A fascinating study proved how mutations in key genes occurred allowing increased starch digestion in dogs relative to wolves. These results indicate that early ancestors of modern dogs could thrive on a diet rich in starch which was a crucial step in the early domestication of dogs (interesting reading if you required further proof that dogs digest starches).
So please don’t worry about feeding your dog a purely plant-based. As always, the key is a balance of nutrients and taste to keep your dogs healthy and happy!
Vegan Vet Visits Crufts
I felt completely overwhelmed by the injustice of what I saw which left me reeling with anger
The realities of puppy farming
Perhaps you were one of the owners who bought a puppy in desperation during lockdown – you maybe had your heart set on having a Cockapoo puppy in your home
IBD and a vegan dog food diet
We import Green Crunch and Greta from Germany as it is a suitable hypoallergenic diet for dogs suffering from IBD
Starla transitioned from raw to plant-based
Starla always suffered from a dry flaky coat on raw food, but once on a 100% homemade plant-based diet, her coat is now soft and shiny!
Baxter the Weimeraner and his sensitive digestion
Baxter being a sensitive Weimeraner has to eat a vegan diet for his health as he is intolerant to any animal protein
Pepe and George and their idyllic life with Fr Terry
They were initially raw fed when Fr Terry first started feeding them as a new dog carer until he experienced his own ethical dilemma
I cannot say which passion drives me more!
Today I really hit rock bottom and it made me question which of the passions drives me the most with everything that I do as a vegan vet running my JUST BE KIND dog food business
For the LOVE of Greyhounds
Greyhounds are beautiful, gentle and sensitive dogs and the sensitivity seems to extend to their digestive systems
Brave Breta Survived Cancer
“The cancer was such a cruel blow, but I hope she will live for years and have all the love and happiness she deserves, along with scrumptious vegan food!”
Chris Packham is my inspiration!
Science tells us that we need just 25 percent of people to change their thinking about something and then it cascades quickly
Brian the Border Terrier’s life changed going plant-based
Brian the Border Terrier had an intolerance to meat protein and a vegan diet transformed his life
Rupert had painful urinary crystals
Rupert suffered from an extremely painful urinary tract infection and blood in his urine which ultimately led to him needing surgery
