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!
Being vegan keeps my eating in check
I tried jackfruit for the first time – cooked it with tomato, artichokes, onions, paprika, olives, capers, stock cube – really really nice alternative to chicken!
Vegan Cappucino
For my mid-morning cup of tea, I found the ideal solution to having a creamy frothy cup of hot caramel tea
Healthy bircher muesli for breakfast
A little like my poor Ruff, I too have suffered with a bit of indigestion with the sudden increase in all this healthy vegetable fibre for the last 2 weeks
How I love my pets
It is mental health week and being a vet, I want to highlight our profession and mental health
Mental Health Week
Our pets never judge us, trust us implicitly and they provide us with our routine and with their never-failing love….
5km run and a juice boost
Decided to try and use my saved chickpea water. My daughter and I made meringues
Excited about my new book!
This time the box had a book that I had to buy – ‘What Vegans Eat’. I imagine it is leftover stock from all those books not sold during Veganuary!
A very sad day with 3 deaths
I also had 2 very moving euthanasias of 2 Staffies today
My first day of full consulting as a vegan vet!
I felt that I had to be extra organised as a short time in the morning before setting off for work
Green smoothies are delicious!
My second day of eating as a vegan…..and I enjoyed it but bit of a sore tummy!
My first day of being a vegan vet!
My first day of eating as a vegan…..and I loved it!
We fly to Germany with 2 guinea pigs, 2 dogs and a chicken
We were just remembered as the family that chose to travel with their chicken!
