Considerations for Dogs and Cats

• Dogs evolved from an omnivorous species.
• Cats evolved from a strictly carnivorous diet.
• Different physiological, behavioural, and dietary needs.

Because of these differences, many vets and nutritionists say cats cannot be vegan but dogs can be if given a nutritionally balanced diet.

Developing Vegan Pet Food

For several years, I have been working on making a dry extruded dog and cat food using vegan alternatives to supply all of their nutritional needs. Veganpet meets the NRC and AAFCO standards and when safe, exceeds them.

Key Nutritional Insights

• Proteins are complex molecules made up of amino acids.
• Dogs and cats can synthesize some amino acids but must obtain others from their diet.
• Cats have specific dietary requirements, such as taurine.

The body's basic building, energising and replacing materials can come from a meat or chicken source or from a soybean, seaweed source. What matters is that the basic cellular structure is the same from either source. I have now found all the vegan alternatives and am able to produce nutritionally-balanced food for both cats and dogs.

Providing a Balanced Diet

As well as providing the necessary amount of protein, I have also provided natural enzymes to break the protein down into readily absorbable essential and non-essential amino acids. The actual essential amino acids are also added to ensure there is sufficient available to the digestive process.