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Vegan companion animal diets

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The health hazards inherent to commercial meat-based companion animal diets are extensive and difficult to avoid, and can include slaughterhouse waste, supermarket rejects, restaurant grease, fish contaminants, endotoxins, mycotoxins, and toxic chemicals. Unsurprisingly, studies have identified kidney, liver, heart, neurologic, visual, neuromuscular and skin diseases, bleeding disorders, birth defects, immunocompromisation and infectious diseases associated with meat-based diets. There is no scientific reason why a diet comprised only of plant, mineral and synthetically-based ingredients cannot be formulated to meet all of the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs, and several commercially-available vegan diets claim to do so. Health benefits commonly observed include decreased skin parasites and improved coat condition, allergy control, weight and arthritis control, and improved vitality. Correct use of a complete and balanced nutritional supplement is essential, however, to avoid potentially severe health problems, particularly in cats, and monitoring of urinary acidity is strongly advisable. These topics will be explored in greater detail, and are described at www.vegepets.info.
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Vegetarian Companion Animal Diets Vegetarian cat and dog photos: www.VegePet.com, www.VeganCats.com ANDREW KNIGHT ANDREW KNIGHT DipECAWBM (WSEL), PhD, MRCVS, DipECAWBM (WSEL), PhD, MRCVS, FOCAE FOCAE
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Page 1: Vegan companion animal diets

Vegetarian Companion Animal Diets

    

Vegetarian cat and dog photos:

www.VegePet.com, www.VeganCats.com

ANDREW KNIGHT ANDREW KNIGHT

DipECAWBM (WSEL), PhD, MRCVS, FOCAEDipECAWBM (WSEL), PhD, MRCVS, FOCAE

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‘Little Tyke’the vegetarian lioness

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Overview

Meat-based diets: health hazardsMeat-based diets: health hazards Meat-based diets: associated diseasesMeat-based diets: associated diseases Animal diets: biological requirementsAnimal diets: biological requirements Vegetarian diets: unnatural behaviour?Vegetarian diets: unnatural behaviour? Health benefits?Health benefits? Dietary transitionsDietary transitions

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Meat-based diets: health hazards

US 2007 pet food recall due to melamine US 2007 pet food recall due to melamine contaminationcontamination

Affected brands: Affected brands: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/

Signs of kidney failure: increased thirst and urination, Signs of kidney failure: increased thirst and urination, dehydration, inappetence, lethargy, vomiting, deathdehydration, inappetence, lethargy, vomiting, death

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Meat meal and byproducts: slaughterhouse Meat meal and byproducts: slaughterhouse waste, 4-D meat, supermarket rejects and waste, 4-D meat, supermarket rejects and rendered dogs and catsrendered dogs and cats

Premium brandsPremium brands DigestDigest Restaurant greaseRestaurant grease Fish contaminantsFish contaminants Infectious diseasesInfectious diseases

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EndotoxinsEndotoxinsMycotoxinsMycotoxinsHormones and antibioticsHormones and antibioticsPreservativesPreservativesProcessingProcessing

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Kidney diseaseKidney diseaseLiver diseaseLiver diseaseHeart diseaseHeart diseaseNeurologic diseaseNeurologic diseaseVisual diseaseVisual diseaseMusculoskeletal diseaseMusculoskeletal disease

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Skin diseasesSkin diseasesBleeding disordersBleeding disordersBirth defects Birth defects ImmunocompromisationImmunocompromisation Infectious diseasesInfectious diseases

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1.1. Bingham AK, Huebner HJ, Phillips TD, Bauer JE. Identification Bingham AK, Huebner HJ, Phillips TD, Bauer JE. Identification and reduction of urinary aflatoxin metabolites in dogs. and reduction of urinary aflatoxin metabolites in dogs. Food Food Chem Toxicol.Chem Toxicol. 2004 Nov;42(11):1851-8. 2004 Nov;42(11):1851-8.

2.2. Boyer CI Jr, Andrews EJ, deLahunta A, Bache CA, Gutenman Boyer CI Jr, Andrews EJ, deLahunta A, Bache CA, Gutenman WH, Lisk DJ. Accumulation of mercury and selenium in WH, Lisk DJ. Accumulation of mercury and selenium in tissues of kittens fed commercial cat food. tissues of kittens fed commercial cat food. Cornell Vet.Cornell Vet. 1978 1978 Jul;68(3):365-74.Jul;68(3):365-74.

3.3. Coleman WE, Tardiff RG. Contaminant levels in animal feeds Coleman WE, Tardiff RG. Contaminant levels in animal feeds used for toxicity studies. used for toxicity studies. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol.Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 1979;8(6):693-702.1979;8(6):693-702.

4.4. DiBartola SP, Buffington CA, Chew DJ, McLoughlin MA, DiBartola SP, Buffington CA, Chew DJ, McLoughlin MA, Sparks RA. Development of chronic renal disease in cats fed a Sparks RA. Development of chronic renal disease in cats fed a commercial diet. commercial diet. J Am Vet Med Assoc.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1993 Mar 1;202(5):744- 1993 Mar 1;202(5):744-51. 51.

5.5. Dobson RLM Dobson RLM et al.et al. Identification and characterization of Identification and characterization of toxicity of contaminants in pet food leading to an outbreak of toxicity of contaminants in pet food leading to an outbreak of renal toxicity in cats and dogs. renal toxicity in cats and dogs. Toxicological SciencesToxicological Sciences 2008; 2008; 106(1): 251-262.106(1): 251-262.

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6.6. Dow SW, Fettman MJ, Curtis CR, LeCouteur RA. Hypokalemia Dow SW, Fettman MJ, Curtis CR, LeCouteur RA. Hypokalemia in cats: 186 cases (1984-1987). in cats: 186 cases (1984-1987). J Am Vet Med Assoc.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1989 Jun 1989 Jun 1;194(11):1604-8.1;194(11):1604-8.

7.7. Freytag TL, Liu SM, Rogers QR, Morris JG. Teratogenic effects Freytag TL, Liu SM, Rogers QR, Morris JG. Teratogenic effects of chronic ingestion of high levels of vitamin A in cats. of chronic ingestion of high levels of vitamin A in cats. J Anim J Anim Physiol Anim NutrPhysiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2003 Feb;87(1-2):42-51. (Berl). 2003 Feb;87(1-2):42-51.

8.8. Houpt KA, Essick LA, Shaw EB, Alo DK, Gilmartin JE, Houpt KA, Essick LA, Shaw EB, Alo DK, Gilmartin JE, Gutenmann WH, Littman CB, Lisk DJ. A tuna fish diet Gutenmann WH, Littman CB, Lisk DJ. A tuna fish diet influences cat behavior. influences cat behavior. J Toxicol Environ Health.J Toxicol Environ Health. 1988;24(2):161-72.1988;24(2):161-72.

9.9. Pion PD, Kittleson MD, Rogers QR, Morris JG. Science. Pion PD, Kittleson MD, Rogers QR, Morris JG. Science. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. reversible cardiomyopathy. ScienceScience 1987 Aug 1987 Aug 14;237(4816):764-8.14;237(4816):764-8.

10.10. Sousa CA, Stannard AA, Ihrke PJ, Reinke SI, Schmeitzel LP. Sousa CA, Stannard AA, Ihrke PJ, Reinke SI, Schmeitzel LP. Dermatosis associated with feeding generic dog food: 13 cases Dermatosis associated with feeding generic dog food: 13 cases (1981-1982). (1981-1982). J Am Vet Med Assoc.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1988 Mar 1;192(5):676-80. 1988 Mar 1;192(5):676-80.

11.11. Strieker MJ, Morris JG, Feldman BF, Rogers QR. Vitamin K Strieker MJ, Morris JG, Feldman BF, Rogers QR. Vitamin K deficiency in cats fed commercial fish-based diets.deficiency in cats fed commercial fish-based diets. J Small J Small Anim Pract.Anim Pract. 1996 Jul;37(7):322-6.1996 Jul;37(7):322-6.

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Requirements of animal diets

Nutritional soundnessNutritional soundness PalatabilityPalatability BioavailabilityBioavailability

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Vegetarian diets & natural behaviour

!?

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Health benefits?

Decreased ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice Decreased ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice and mites)and mites)

Improved coat conditionImproved coat condition Allergy controlAllergy control Improved weight controlImproved weight control Arthritis regressionArthritis regression Diabetes regression Diabetes regression Cataract resolutionCataract resolution

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Increased overall health and vitalityIncreased overall health and vitalityDecreased incidence of cancerDecreased incidence of cancerDecreased incidence of infectionsDecreased incidence of infectionsDecreased hypothyroidismDecreased hypothyroidism

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1st large-scale study of the long-term health of

vegetarian cats

Wakefield Wakefield et al.et al. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2006; 229: 70-73 J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2006; 229: 70-73

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34 cats maintained on vegetarian diets for 1+ yrs34 cats maintained on vegetarian diets for 1+ yrs 52 cats maintained on meat-based diets for 1+ yrs52 cats maintained on meat-based diets for 1+ yrs

Variable Vegetarians Carnivores P value

Age (mean +/- SD) 7.0 +/- 4.7 7.8 +/- 4.8 0.48

No. of years diet fed (mean +/- SD) 4.6 +/- 4.1 6.5 +/- 4.7 0.06

Sex distribution (spayed female; castrated male [%]) 38;62 56;44 0.13

Kept strictly indoors (%) 65 69 0.80

Reported to be in ideal body condition (%) 82 65 0.17

Reported to be healthy or generally healthy (%) 97 96 0.38

•No significant differences in age, sex, body condition, housing, or No significant differences in age, sex, body condition, housing, or perceived health status. perceived health status. •Most cats described as healthy or generally healthy.Most cats described as healthy or generally healthy.

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Sprint-racing sled dogs

Brown Brown et al.et al. Brit J Nutr. Brit J Nutr. 2009; 102: 1318-232009; 102: 1318-23

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12 sprint-racing Siberian huskies were fed either a 12 sprint-racing Siberian huskies were fed either a commercial diet recommended for active dogs (n 6), or a commercial diet recommended for active dogs (n 6), or a meat-free diet formulated to the same nutrient specifications meat-free diet formulated to the same nutrient specifications (n 6)(n 6)

Sole nutrient intake for 16 weeks, including 10 weeks of Sole nutrient intake for 16 weeks, including 10 weeks of competitive racingcompetitive racing

Blood samples were collected at weeks 0, 3, 8 and 16, and Blood samples were collected at weeks 0, 3, 8 and 16, and veterinary health checks were conducted at weeks 0, 8 and 16veterinary health checks were conducted at weeks 0, 8 and 16

Haematology results for all dogs, irrespective of diet, were Haematology results for all dogs, irrespective of diet, were within normal range throughout the study within normal range throughout the study

The consulting veterinarian assessed all dogs to be in The consulting veterinarian assessed all dogs to be in excellent physical conditionexcellent physical condition

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Dietary change

Easing the transitionEasing the transition

Safeguarding healthSafeguarding health1.1. Use a complete and balanced nutritional Use a complete and balanced nutritional

supplement or complete dietsupplement or complete diet

2.2. Prevent urinary alkalinization and urolithiasis Prevent urinary alkalinization and urolithiasis (the formation of urinary crystals and stones)(the formation of urinary crystals and stones)

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Conclusions

We choose vegan diets for ourselves for We choose vegan diets for ourselves for ethical, environmental and health reasons. The same reasons. The same benefits apply to vegan companion animal diets, benefits apply to vegan companion animal diets, which provide the best choice for both our which provide the best choice for both our companion and so-called companion and so-called ‘‘foodfood’’ animals. animals.

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