Plant-based diets tend to be much higher in fibre and healthy gut bacteria than conventional processed dog meat-based dog food, so when switching your dog over to a wholesome plant-based diet, this is what we advise:
Changes are best made gradually, eg by feeding a 90% old/new plant-based mixture for a few days, then 80%/20%, until gradually over a matter of 2 – 4 weeks, your dog is used to their new food. Some dogs may take even longer.
Gradual changes allow the appropriate changes of digestive enzymes and intestinal microbiome (all those healthy gut bacteria). Transitioning slowly minimises all the changes you may expect such as abdominal discomfort, wind and diarrhoea. We do have to confess that our little Ruff went plant-based from 1 day to the next and he was fine! The other theory is that dogs are natural scavengers and they have gut bacteria and enzymes that will adapt, so it is up to you the owner how you choose to transition.
Not all dogs take to plant-based straight away – especially the fussier dogs who are not very food driven. They may be more challenging to transition, but if everything is made as positive as possible, from the sounds you make when feeding them, to pointing to their bowls or feeding the dry biscuits as treats or rewards, you will get there.
Do not be tempted to heat up the homemade food to make it more palatable, as the vital ‘icing’ or ‘topping’ made with the supplements we recommend must not be heated to protect the valuable nutrients. We do feel however that with the ingredients in our homemade foods, your dog should find their new plant-based diet very tasty and you should not have to warm it up! Our JUST BE KIND supplement contains essential pre and probiotics to support your dog’s microbiome gut health.
I learnt about ‘Millenials’
My son represents a true ‘Millenial’ as I learn from one of the lectures I attended at Vetfest that was given by the Head Nurse at Fitzpatrick Referrals
I meet ‘Supervet’ Noel Fitzpatrick!
He is such a lovely man and I felt a little ‘starstruck’ when I stopped to speak to him about what he had said in one of his talks
My friend is going to be fine
Today’s chance meeting could not have been more different – she was smiling and back to her cheerful lovely self
I put a needle cap with euthatal in my mouth!
It is June and all the roadside poppies are out – they calmed my anxiety by their sheer beauty on my drive in to work
Laughter is the best medicine
The afternoon was filled with a heady mix of happiness and nostalgia and camaraderie for what we had been through in the morning
I tried yoga for the first time
I tried yoga for the first time and loved it – followed it up with a delicious vegan burger
Elephants never forget
It was both beautiful and emotional to witness and every year around this time I wonder why a small grey cloud hangs over me
A fascinating article
This enlightening article published in the New Scientist May 2020 may change the way we think about what food choices we make for our pets and ourselves
Abiding by a client’s wishes
I felt all their pain – the euthanasia was so very poignant as Pippa licked her owner’s nose as she was being told how much they loved her
Turmeric latte after park run
As vets we deal so much with death and illness and not being able to make your own loved ones better when we know how to make animals better plays heavily on us as professionals
Mindful eating
No thought for what I was eating or how much….and never actually tasting the sweets or chocolates or biscuits I was bingeing on!
Salted caramel easter egg
A long emotional day at work today….couldn’t resist the reduced easter egg at Tesco garage!
