Update On My Vegan Dog

So, a small update on my dog’s recent change to a vegan diet. She was not a fan of Avoderm at all. She literally went from being the kind of dog who followed you around the house waiting to get her food and then devouring it right there in two seconds to leaving it sitting in her bowl all day until she was ready to starve and then only eating half of it. So, after we made it through the bag of Avoderm I bought a different brand called Natural Balance.

From the very first time our dog tried the Natural Balance brand she has been loving it! So, it wasn't that the other brand didn't have meat in it, it was just that she didn't enjoy the taste.

The brand I am using is the Vegetarian Dog Food which is actually vegan. In fact, I noticed on their website that it was the 2008 VegNews Veggie Award Winner. Here is what it says on the website: “Our Vegetarian Dog Food is our special Allergy Formula, made specifically for dogs prone to meat-based protein allergies. A True Vegan Formula, this special food is completely dairy free, and free of any animal-based products". They also now offer a Vegetarian Canned Formula as well.

On Natural Balance’s website they also have a way for you to monitor all of the testing done on your dog’s food. Their sites says that “As of September, 2008, we have added E. coli and Salmonella testing to our standard testing protocol which already includes testing for: Ochratoxin, Zearalenone, Fumonisin, Melamine, Cyanuric Acid, Aflatoxin, andDON (Vomitoxin).” Click here to read more.

Under the About Us section, Dick Van Patten (one of the owner's) says, "Natural Balance® was built on the premise of helping animals, and we have never nor would we ever allow any testing that would be considered harmful to an animal. We do not conduct laboratory testing on animals, whatsoever. All of our feeding trials are conducted in the animal's own environment, in conjunction with veterinarians, kennels, breeders and pet owners, to ensure that all Natural Balance® products are extremely palatable, nutritious and the best possible formulation for the health of your pet. Our feeding trials are a positive experience and enjoyable for animals!"

So, my dog is now happy with her vegan diet and I am much happier scooping out food for her now that I know that it's not a bunch of leftover factory farm animal meat.