I’m vegan and totally agree with you. Veganism for me is compassion for animals, and providing them with a diet that isn’t optimal is not being kind or compassionate to your animal, especially since it’s based on your personal morals and not their health. Great video and very tactfully stated!
I'm a vegetarian with hopes of transitioning to veganism at some point, and I totally agree. Forcing an animal that is not naturally herbivorous, most especially an obligate carnivore, to eat a vegan diet is not a compassionate action, and thus not in line with the ethics of veganism or vegetarianism.
@@julioservantes8242 Humans can live perfectly healthy lives without eating animal proteins with a well-planned diet, including children. Our physiology is simply not the same as other omnivores, especially dogs. If kids are under the care of a doctor to make sure their nutritional needs are being met (which should be the case regardless of a family's diet), there's little chance of harm there. In fact, I'd argue it's less harmful than the diet of ground beef, cheese, Southern fried foods, and cheap convenience foods that *I* grew up eating, and I was most certainly neither neglected or abused. Let's keep child services focused on *actual* neglect and abuse. Signed, someone who reads CPS reports regularly as part of her job.
If you're a vegan, and you want a small companion animal, but don't want a carnivore like a cat, get a rabbit. They have similar lifespans to a cat, are low maintenance compared to a dog but still interactive, part of their diet will consist of produce you probably already have in your home, and there are thousands in shelters that need homes. You'd have a naturally vegan animal, and you'd save that rabbit from getting euthanized. Win-win.
Great comment but I would never advertise rabbits as low maintenance. They're not a tough pet once you get to know them but I have found they're a lot more work than a dog. But still totally worth it! And you must consider all types of bunny personality before adopting one because there's no guarantee two rabbits will be alike lol but yes adopting bunnies is a great thing to do 🐇
In fact, the House Rabbit Society had a campaign last year promoting house rabbits as "vegan cats." There are great choices for vegan pet owners who can't bear to feed meat and fish, just as you say.
just gotta hope they dont go too far and stuff the rabbit's face with carrots as a bulk of their diet... Jessi did a video about that regarding to how Bugs Bunny doesnt represent the animal he is very well because of the whole 'bunny x carrot' stuff
I would also say goldfish since they are breed from carp that manly eat plants and algae. but they are very high maintnance, require large tanks and grow huge. so I can't suggest them
So very true Jessi! There are so many wonderful herbivorous species that make fantastic companions that there is really no excuse to force a vegan diet on a carnivorous or omnivorous species
@Onion Face Again, allergic to meat. You think I didn't try that? Bold of you to assume otherwise. Of course I want her to be as healthy as possible, but it is limited when they have allergies. Meat allergies aren't extremely rare in modern dogs.
@@lNFINlTEx It started when I noticed her obsessively scratching her ears. After I noticed that, it was a trip to the vet where they determined the cause was a food allergy. Whatever that was causing her discomfort was causing her to get a yeast infection in her ears. From there, we began the process of elimination of different types of foods and food combinations. We tried special allergy foods for dogs, to home made foods, to special meats. It was there it was determined she had a general meat allergy and that the cure was to simply give her a vegan dog food and supplement it with some omegas. It was all vet monitored and approved.
thank you so much for covering this topic. it has been on my mind a lot recently, especially since seeing a rise in the number of vegan dog food brands offered at my local pet store. there is so much misinformation on this topic, and i really appreciate you setting this straight for people who may feel confused or worried about the diet they are feeding their dogs and cats.
and it's not just dogs and cats too :( look up something about a vegan lady forcing her vegan diet on a fennec fox that was bred to be a pet, that looked so healthy before she got a hold of it
@@MiraNecole apparently the vegan diet for that fox was recommended by a vet in the beginning because of an allergy or illness ect, but I don't remember what happened after that only that in the beginning it was vet recommended
This honestly isn't an issue with true ethical vegans. I've been vegan for close to four years because I love animals so much, which also means I would never make my cat eat only fruits and veggies and grains. My quaker parrot on the other hand can be!
shimkii I find it interesting that when I watch a video by a rational sounding vegan critiquing the videos of vegans with more radical views that don't seem science based, the rational sounding vegan seems to manage to be a strict vegan yet still be very healthy and fit looking, while the vegans in the clips who don't have science based beliefs look all gaunt and skeletal as if they already have one foot in the grave. Those are usually the sort of people who think they can feed a cat a vegan diet, yet they haven't even figured out how to feed themselves a vegan diet without harming their health.
The five rules you mentioned are so well put and clearly stated! Here they are in case anyone is interested: 1. They need a home that's close to their natural habitat. 2. They need to be kept at a comfortable temperature. 3. They need socialization and environmental stimulation. 4. They need food that fulfills their natural nutritional needs. 5. You never intentionally hurt them. If only everyone understood that... "If you break one of these rules, you're breaking the promise you made to your companion animal." 💕🐾💕🐾💕🐾
I would also say goldfish since they are breed from carp that manly eat plants and algae. but they are very high maintnance, require large tanks and grow huge. so I can't suggest them
@@SK-sq5bk goldfishes, to reach their maximum health potential must be fed with baby shrimps or blood worms. There's a big difference. They're omnivorous and would even devour smaller fish like tetras.
best one are leopard geckos and bearded dragons, if I'm correct, the lizard on her shoulder is a chinese water dragon, THAT THING IS SUPER EXPENSIVE TO KEEP
Yes! I'm vegan, and I feel like videos like this are SO important. Vegans often get too caught up in our own passion, and it can make it very easy for us to try and extend our self-imposed rules & codes onto the animals around us. I wouldn't want to feed meat to a pet, because to do that I'd have to support an industry I dislike, but there's still so many options for me! I could get a rabbit, guinea pig, certain birds, certain reptiles, most rodents, a select few amphibians, and so much more. We aren't lacking in choices, we just have to be mindful of how the moral & ethical codes we create for ourselves translate onto animals, and remember that we're in a position of privilege to be able to choose our diets so selectively.
In short: your cat cares more about living and being healthy than it does about whether you are sad for the fish it eats. And if you love them, you'll care that they live and are healthy, too.
Sorry, but I feel like this mentality is what's wrong with our society, saying that the welfare of me and the few animals I choose to care about is more important than the welfare of the rest of the animals that I couldn't care less about.
@@peachyrandomness I would agree with this, and I might even go a step further and say that the solution is to not have pets. I don't believe that animals are ours to do with as we please.
@@christopherpape4823 If you've chosen to bring that animal into your care then yeah you do have to put its welfare first. Try going to lecture a mother tiger bringing a kill back for her cubs about how she shouldn't put the welfare of the animals in her care above that of a deer.
@@ClumsyM00se yes if you already have the animal I agree there's nothing else you can really do. But like I said I don't really believe in "owning" pets.
Thank you for addressing this topic informatively and frankly! I'd heard the correct conclusions of this question before but not the exact reasoning behind it, which is so essential in having a good discussion to these issues!
As a veterinary student, Thank u so much for putting this video up. It’s becoming a real issue in emergency clinics because people just don’t realize how different dogs and cats are from us. They just can’t do this diet. Also there is some pretty convincing research coming out showing that the grain free diets for dogs and cats are really doing some damage after a few years to dogs hearts and causing sudden heat failure. I would suggest avoiding them until the food producers figure out what in these foods is causing the problem.
The problem is cats and dogs need real meat in their diet but we force them to eat processed, cancerous garbage. My cats have been on meat, bone, organ diet (vinegar washed) for over four years. The vet would have killed my cat with their toxic "prescription" food if I didn't bail. She is nine and healthier than when she was in vet care. Vets are clueless about animal nutrition and preventative health. They have lost my trust. I hope the new vet students can change things and really look out for animals.
@@TazHall let's not forget that some clinics are also sponsored by dog food companies, one Clinic i visited sponsors Royal Canin, not to say all of them do this, but some are also bias, which hurts animals long term
I just happened upon your TH-cam channel, and it's awesome! I've already learned so much. Bless you and your efforts to take care of so many different species.
@Onion Face And idiotic. The fools shouldn't be allow to own such animals that requires a good portion of meat to stay healthy. There's plenty of other optional companions available that happens to be vegetarians like chinchillas or rabbits, both who makes excellent pets.
To be fair veganism is bad for a humans health as well. Although vegans can remedy that by eating supplements so they pretend that it is super healthy....
I suggest watching the video. Her conclusion is that it is possible to have dogs on a vegan diet, though, it's risky and difficult, so it requires consulting a vet before going ahead with it. (In which case most vets would probably advice you to include animal protein, just to be safe). Cats and veganism is just a no go, plain and simple.
So basically do the right thing if you are a vegan and get a herbivore pet. Or no pet depending on your stance. No way you should risk a dog's health for your morals.
Thank you for posting this video!!!! There is a weird trend on TH-cam animal community to force pets to become vegans because their owners are living a vegan lifestyle. Thank you again for preaching the truth about pet diets!! 🙏🐶🐱🐰🐸
No god but Allah Islam way for peace and the real monotheism Search for the truth and right way with honest heart And ask him for the right way for his mercy.
This! I can't even believe you have to do a video on this. I have ferrets who are obligate carnivores. They literally cannot digest anything other than protean and fat. Since their digestive tracts are so short they are incapable of digesting anything that comes from plants. If you feed them a piece of banana it will come out as mashed banana, pretty much undigested. Before I got my first ferret, I did MONTHS of research to make sure I could choose a good diet for them. That is the contract you make when you get an animal. If you can't feed an animal their proper diet, don't get the animal. That shouldn't even have to be said.
Excellent video!!! I've had this discussion before in the past and have always pointed at the cat's teeth as a primary right-in-the-room proof...! We were also adjusting our cats' diets (we have three huge house cats) from all hard cat food to a mixture of soft food and kibble, to reduce their weight and prevent diabetes. We added twice-a-week treats of raw chicken as well in the past four months, to let them have more of the animal source protein without any extra stuff like carbs or salt. (And because the amounts are small it's literally free, we just give them trimmings from poultry when we're preparing a chicken dinner!) I have a question, though - you mention environmental stimulation, by which I know you're talking about various forms of enrichment. Even though house cats may not be the most exotic of critters - could you maybe do a video on what sorts of things owners can do to stimulate cat behaviors in a general sense? I'd love to learn more about what might make my kitties happier!!
I love the tone of this video, so many people jump straight to screaming at vegan pet owners, and the intended audience just stops listening, because they feel insulted. Great video Jessi.
"a vegan collie in the UK, lived to age 25 on a plant-based diet and is recognized as one of the longest-living dogs in the Guinness Book of World Records. Her guardian, Anne Heritage, has raised seven vegan dogs, and five of them lived past 19 years old."
Thanks for spreading awareness. I'm feeling like there are still a lot of people more willing to put their pride and beliefs over their responsibilities as a pet owner. Videos like these give me hope not all vegetarians and vegans have lost their minds.
Great video! You could always give your dogs (NOT cats) *mostly* vegan food (e.g. V-Dog, a commercial vegan dog food) and mix in a small bag of non-vegan food to make sure they're not missing anything. That's what I did and it helped me to keep my dogs healthy while contributing the least harm possible 💕
Wow you saw that I got a new doggy and wanted to make sure I made the right diet decisions for him. I swear I have the most thoughtful mom in the world. Love ya so much my ginger cookie my ginger spice you're the best.
Hi Jessi! I really appreciate you coming out with this video and being respectful. I've been a vegan for 7 years and I currently and have always adopted cats. I do not feed them a vegan diet but it is definitely something that comes up a lot in the vegan community. So there are several vegan cat food kibble formulas on the market and they do have the AFFCO approval statement which is technically all that is required for a particular food to be balanced and suitable. I would like to know what your position is on these particular formulas and why are why not you feel that way. Thanks!!
That was a great video! You do a great job of explaining things so that people are empowered to understand WHY things like a proper diet are important.
I have a question for you! Is there any reason why you only keep one fingernail painted? I always notice that you only have one painted for your pointer finger, is there any reason why?
I include meat in my diet but the university I went to was Seventh-Day Adventist and the campus (and most of the students) practiced vegetarianism. One time my anatomy and physiology professor bragged about her dog being vegan and we were all taken aback.
So are vegan dog foods, like vdog, that are approved by the AAFCO safe? It is supplemented with all nutrients mentioned in the video, so I dont see how it could be unsafe.
I loved watching Loki just chill on your shoulder the whole video. It's kind of sad that you have to talk about the dangers of giving cats a vegan diet, but you were very informative and concise about why they need to eat meat to be healthy. Thank you.
I agree Jessi..I have been a a semi-vegetarian for 4 years now but when I had dogs they got all the essentials and they both lived happy and healthy long lives. I have two birds ..one is a parakeet and one is a cockatiel. My parakeet is 4 yrs old and she is fine except that likes living alone in the huge cage I have for her She killed the other past two males. My male cockatiel is a spoiled rescue that I got when he was 3 month old and I have had him for 21 yrs and he would rather sleep on my shoulder that sleep in his cage. But I cannot do that ..so he ends up sleeping in the cage. But I take him out many times a day when the sun in out and I also play with him a lot ...And he gets veggies and fruits along with his seeds and treats too.
Look at that lizzar! What a good pal! I can't remember its name but that's the chinese water dragon right? A+ shoulder dragon, I wish I could have one. My friends dog has terrible food allergies and is on a vet prescribed vegan diet. I know his wife put a lot of care and thought into the decision and they tried many alternatives before moving to this diet and he is being monitored closely by the vet. I'm glad you made this video, too many people put their animals on inappropriate diets without vet consultation!
You are the best! I also want to point out that cats do better with a wet food diet, especially ones that don’t contain animal byproducts. Because my new rescue threw up when eating kibble, we switched the two resident cats to soft food twice a day. At first they acted like they hated it (except for the new cat who’d been starving when we found him) but eventually ate it, and love it just as much. The one resident cat lost some weight because she’d stress eat and all their coats were much smoother and shinier. I would urge cat owners to switch to a quality wet food like Wellness if you can! In the wild, cats mostly get their water from their prey and rarely have to drink.
THANK YOU! Thank you thank you thank you! For choosing to talk about this controversial(sadly) topic! This brings hope, because I see that children love you channel and will be educated about this properly! And until all workers that pick the vegans vegetables are treated equally I do not wan't to see or hear a peep from any vegans that love to showcase themselves as better than others. (I'm not saying all vegans do that, but a sizable portion of loud ones do...)
These were intelligent and knowledgeable arguments! At my local pet store I shared my ideas about my dog going vegan and she bluntly replied that dogs are carnivores while also being dismissive of BARF (which is carnivorous anyway), she followed up by arguing that dogs DO need carbohydrates and could risk protein toxicity when fed only (BARF) animal protein...I don’t know if I could get the factual information or guidance out of her I would need to properly and safely feed my dog...! We did however agree on whole foods being better for a dog anyways over pellets consisting of wheat flour and oxidised liquid oils. Frustrating being discriminated against by the staff, when considering the dog food I showed her had both added Taurine, Carnitine and fortified with the adequate nutrients as well as ample amounts of protein
People who feed animals vegan food do not deserve to live nor even exist, they go right to the depths of hell. You really explained this in great detail, good job
I am vegetarian but i know that my cat and dog need meat, thats part of who they are, if you want your animal to eat vegan food then get a herbivore, not a cat
I am vegan and I know firsthand that vegans often go to extreme in their beliefs (like starving their children) so it is good to have someone explain in detail why meat is important for cats and dogs. My cat eats meat and is perfectly happy.
@@angeliparraguirre7329 I don't think it is. Vegans think that humans don't need animal products so they strive to avoid animal products. This isn't meant to be extended to animals who unlike humans actually need to consume other animals.
You are AMAZING. I'm a hardcore vegan, but I would NEVER put my dog on a vegan diet, period. He eats lots of vegetables, but as treats and supplements to his balanced diet of premium food. There's no need to make your buddy suffer because YOU are a vegan.
@@ADVBear Nope, dogs are well able to digest starch as they produce amylase whereas wolves don't produce it. One of the most long lived dogs ever recorded was a vegan collie dog.
.@@leonardodavinci7425 So, one long-lived dog is proof that a pure vegan diet is adequate for dogs? That's hardly a sizeable sample. Ultimately, we do as we think is best for our friends. Sometimes, we think we are doing the best for them, but the reality can be very different. I would love to have Arthur in a completely vegan diet because it bothers me greatly to buy animal-based products. But the science and evidence do not care what I think
To be fair, properly balance “vegan” or mainly plant based kibble does exist for both cats and dogs but is generally regarded as something to be used if necessary. An example would be a dog I used to have had developed a strong infection in the liver, this affected his way of processing animal based protein and fats which would cause intoxication and horrible seizures. For that medical reason I switched to a mainly plant based balanced kibble, and all treats were plant based. Please be respectful when people say their pets can’t eat one thing or another, I often went through nights of cluster seizures, doing my best to take care of my dog because a visitor decided they knew better about my dog’s health and would give him a piece of meat or fat after I told them not to and to be careful with scraps that fell to the floor since they would make him terribly sick. Ask why if you are suspicious, but always remember you are not the owner and might be causing more harm than good by giving that dog a “tasty treat”.
The difference between your scenario and the one that this video addresses, is that owners are making the decision for their animals, based on their own desires to convert them to a vegan diet. When you travel down this road with your vet, you are following the guidance of a professional and are doing so with the specific individual's needs in mind. When my pupper developed liver issues, one of the treatment plans we tried was the soy-based diet. Ultimately, this was not the answer for us and ended up causing additional health issues and we made the decision to transition back to a standard diet. The important point to your journey and mine, (and many others) was that it was made with a veterinarian's guidance, and it was not a decision made simply because we did not want our loved friends to eat a meat-based diet. Yours was not a selfish or uninformed decision, this video was likely created to address and educate the individuals who feel that their pet's diet is a choice, along with theirs. Your decision was made with the health of your sweet pupper in mind, and with the assistance of a professional. Thank you for being good to your dog. Caring for a special needs pupper is hard, especially when you find yourself in preventable situations.
Kristina Deignan just thought it was worth the while to point out that there are cases in which it may be needed. There can be misinformation on both ends after all.
Foxes are omnivorous, which means a portion of their diet need to come from an animal source in order for them to thrive, but they're not obligate carnivores like cats. However they do require a high protein diet, and most of that protein must come from an animal source because it's harder for them to digest plant based protein. And like cats, they do requite taurine.
Thanks so much for this in-depth explanation about obligate carnivores and omnivores. There are still vegan websites out there that tell people to feet their pet cat a vegan diet, this should be illegal! I would even go as far as recommending a raw meat diet, since that is the proper food for them to stay healthy for a long time. Plus the litter box gets so much less yucky and smelly, advantage and reward for the human guardian that feeds a cat naturally. Dogs also like raw meat and the bones are a perfect chewing toy.
Another point Jessi kind of touched on in the video is that carnivores - especially obligate carnivores - need organ meat to stay healthy; they can’t get the nutrients they need by just eating muscle meat.
@@ragnkja Absolutely right. The perfect food would of course be whole rodents, but who has them waiting around to be eaten? Luckily there are whole frozen meals with bones and organs available, next best thing.
@@audreywinter6910 Any of numer of reptile owners have freezers full of dead rats/mice to feed their snakes and lizards, you just thaw them out as needed to feed to your animal. So it's quite possible to feed your cat a diet of (previously frozen) rats or mice but I'm not sure how economically viable it would be though since snakes and lizards don't need to eat every day, but cats generally do. But I'd imagine that a cat would probably love a "fresh" mouse or rat as the occasional treat.
@@Riceball01Sadly, I haven't found a pet shop which sells frozen mice. I had thought of that, since gnawing on a whole animal is like dental hygiene for cats in the wild and the fur is like plant fibers are for us for digestion. When I was little, we rescued a falcon and nursed her back to health. We would catch mice with traps and buy some frozen chicks for variation. Too bad I don't live there anymore, where these things were available.
Honestly, the way I see it as a vegan, buying my pet meat-based dog food once or twice a month is doing way less damage in the grand scheme of things than if I also purchased animal products as well. I choose to be vegan and I have the nutritional capability to be one, but my pets can’t and do not.
@@accessdenied5998 I want the best of both for the dog and the animals being *Stabbed in the Neck* for their flesh! If a dog can be healthy on a vegan diet then it should be be the goal. We can't selfishly pick one animal's life over thousands of others, if a dog can be healthy without them.
@@sphumelelesijadu a lot of the oldest goldfish have lived in bowl or small tanks.does that mean it is fine to abuse th cuase they lived long? It is selfishly picking one life over another when you decide to ignore what animal needs has speices cuase you can't accept death and what a animal is. Dogs need meat cuase they are carnivores.not giving them meat shows you can't accept a dog for what it is and hate the exstiance of carnivores.
@@starandfox601 giving a dog shelter and a health diet allowing them to live long is not abuse. If a dog has only had vegan food, that is just as healthy, what is the problem? Dogs are omnivores just google it, it's not difficult. A dog can get what it needs on a vegan diet. Dude what are you talking about? Do you know the definition of need? Excuse me if I'm not sold on the idea of lambs be cut open for my dog to enjoy the taste when it could be healthy on something else. If we were talking about cats I'd be able to understand but not dogs.
Can you talk about how you personally feed your dog(s)? I don’t remember if you go over it in an older video. Do you just use a kibble or do you supplement with other foods?
Watching this while my dog is crunching half a lamb leg beside me. I love him so much I'm not going to force him to eat what he doesn't want it. He gets liver and a green supplement meant to compliment a raw diet. I mix it with yogurt because he won't eat it otherwise. Vegan pet food should not be used unless your animal is allergic to meat proteins. Even with dogs, it is cruelty to animals.
Thank you so much for this great and informative video. After watching this, and Dr. Karen Becker's video, I will not feed my cat a vegan diet. I'm reading books on cat nutrition and behavior so I can give my future best friend the best life possible. I now know that feeding my cat a vegan diet is not healthy, nor does it provide them with the nutrition they need since cats are obligate carnivores. I'm transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, but my cat will be fed the best pet food I can buy with protein from animal sources. I think it is true, we cannot force our animal companions to subscribe to our beliefs, especially when their bodies were not designed to be herbivores or omnivores. You taught me something, so thanks once again. Dolores
Jessi, I have a question. I don't have a dog but this made me wonder about vegetarian dog food. I've seen a lot of it as it's not meat but still animal proteins. Is it any good?
Very interessting topic indeed. Though I should add that it's too bad you didn't give any scientific sources from all this information you gave us in the description. Maybe think of adding that next time.
Just add “Yes, here’s why” to the title. I work at a pet store and had a lady get so mad at me for not having a vegan kibble option. I tried to explain it wasn’t good for them, and it’s in their nature to eat meat. But she like, “No, it’s not. She a house cat, she hasn’t even seen a bird before.” I’ve never wanted to face palm so hard before. Now I have more details to inform people now.
Dogs are omnivorous and can be vegan. Some of the longest living dogs ever recorded were vegan dogs. Cats are obliged carnivorous. If you are a vegan, don't get a cat as a pet. Dogs, parrots, rabbits and some rodents can thrive on a vegan diet and should be preferred by vegan owners. If you love animals, don't eat animals nor feed them to your pet animal.
dogs are omnivores yes. they can "survive" on veganism. they will be seriously limited in their ability to thrive. if you study the dogs amylase production, a vegan diet can wreak havoc on the bowels (which is just one issue) dogs care about living more than health. your responsibility as a handler is to feed them a diet to thrive, not just survive. the longest living dog was not vegan. bluey was actually only recorded to be a herding dog.
Thanks for this, I was wondering about it since I saw a advertisement for "vegan food for cats" on an online store. Having a vegan-like diet myself, I was baffled that such a thing even existed and I considered it for a moment. I ended up getting a rabbit, but I was still wondering about this vegan food...
I thought the main concern with vegan cats was urinary track infections, but you didn't mention those. Also, I thought taurine was already supplemented even in most based cat food because the canning process operates at a temperature that denatures taurine, meaning even non-vegan cats get taurine supplements.
Since I've been seeing a lot of "Holy crap how could you feed a vegan diet?!". I agree, but (!) please keep in mind, everytime I read conventional cat foods (whiskers etc) ingredients I go: "Holy crap, how could you?!" This stuff is expensive AND bad. So keep an eye one the nutrition of your pets, doesn't matter if your vegan or not :)
I love how she just has the lizard on her shoulder the entire time. I love you Jessie (or is it Jessi or Jesse? I forgot sorry) and how you are so willing to teach and learn.
THANK YOU!!! For explaing this, i understand everyone has their own beleifs but you should NEVER push that on a animal. Especially when it can harm their well being
If feeding an animal properly is too hard for you, then don't get that animal. When lab-grown meat becomes commercially available (and affordable), that will change. I encourage everybody who can to eat more plants and consider going vegan.
I remember when vegan gains was feeding his dog a vegan diet and the dog almost died from malnutrition. People cant apply their moral code to an animal that can only get certain nutrients from meat, that's just immoral in itself. Thank you for this video it was educational and detailed :)
I understand the cells of plants and animals are different in structure and some nutrients are best absorbed when consumed in the format nature intended. Also, different foods can affect how a nutrient is processed in the body. Yet, in the modern age, or at least near future, it seems reasonable that the food requirements for a species like a dog to thrive can be attained in a sustainable, healthy and ethical way. We've already been able to grow animal tissues into full grown burgers, a process done without the need for gallons of water, pollution/waste and without needing to commit harm to someone, a sentient, emotional being, who has a right to a happy, healthy life. I'm saying it's possible to give a cat or a dog a diet that both reflects their individual needs and the ideals of their human guardians, either through lab grown meat or supplements. Also, a lot of plant proteins can mimick animal ones closely enough, or scientists can extract the phytonutrients and put them backtogether in a similar structure. Also, a lot of the nutritional value of other animals comes from the plants they eat, it may be fine for us to skip that step in the food chain but with our modern technology and food science, can we really do the same for canines and felines? I think it may be more of a reality one day, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's today. So, it seems best for both ourselves and our animal companions to eat a diet that's closest to our evolutionary lifestyle as possible (including exercize) and to take what nature gives us in as closest to its natural form as possible (no processed or heavily refined "foods"). No matter who you are, you deserve to be happy and healthy! Thanks for the informative video!
This. *This.* I've wanted a cat my whole life and have been deeply invested in doggo culture since it became a thing, thinking I'll adopt once I own a place. But then I went vegetarian (hopefully vegan eventually) and realized I'm really not okay with owning an animal who eats meat. It was actually kinda painful to learn I'll never be okay with owning a cuddly kitty or a Shiba Inu to meme. But I'd never, ever force an animal onto an unnatural diet. So now the plan is to adopt an obnoxious birb or two I can give head scritches to~*~
I'm vegan but don't feed my dogs vegan diets! I was curious about what you said regarding the most common D3 sources, fish, cows, and egg yolks. Since wild species of cats don't typically eat fish or cows, and I don't think they would have all that many opportunities to eat eggs, where do you think they get their D3? Do mice and birds (and perhaps antelopes and zebras for large cats) have it in their organs? Thanks! :)
Are there really people who give their dogs and cats a vegan diet ? They are predators (or at least their ancestors) optimized to eat meat. I love your videos and how you handle animals and takes care of them, respect ! I have a dog who loves carrots (for most those on my plate :-) ). The most bizar was a dog I had that passed away 2 years ago at the age of 18, he ate everything that smelled like food. We had to be very careful because he would even eat an empty cardboard box or plastic bag that stored food. I always buy the best dog-food I can find (advised by my vet) All dogs I ever had became between 15 and 19 years old As far as I know cats and dogs also have a to short guts traject to digest plants. Wild carnivors get their "plants" from eating plant-eaters who pre-digested it for them in their very long guts and multiple stomacs. I hope I use the right terms, I am Dutch and although I have to read/write a lot of English, it is only Electronics related.
I’m a vegan 🌱 and I completely agree. I have been vegan for a year now and I have a dog. I am still researching and consulting vets to this day on how to safely, gradually shift my pet to a vegan diet. I still haven’t changed anything about her diet, and won’t until I’m 100% sure on what I am doing.
please don't feed your dog a vegan diet. they need meat and you need to accept that is a part of their biology. it's unfair for them to have your beliefs shoved onto them and their needs ignored for said beliefs.
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I’m vegan and totally agree with you. Veganism for me is compassion for animals, and providing them with a diet that isn’t optimal is not being kind or compassionate to your animal, especially since it’s based on your personal morals and not their health. Great video and very tactfully stated!
i'm not a vegan and i can actually agree with this type of thinking. i'm glad there are some who think instead of forcing it on their animals.
Thank you for your message . I am neither vegan but do agree whole heartedly. I respect your values.
I'm a vegetarian with hopes of transitioning to veganism at some point, and I totally agree. Forcing an animal that is not naturally herbivorous, most especially an obligate carnivore, to eat a vegan diet is not a compassionate action, and thus not in line with the ethics of veganism or vegetarianism.
I hope you have that same understanding and compassion when it comes to your children as well... Putting a child on a vegan diet should be punishable.
@@julioservantes8242 Humans can live perfectly healthy lives without eating animal proteins with a well-planned diet, including children. Our physiology is simply not the same as other omnivores, especially dogs. If kids are under the care of a doctor to make sure their nutritional needs are being met (which should be the case regardless of a family's diet), there's little chance of harm there. In fact, I'd argue it's less harmful than the diet of ground beef, cheese, Southern fried foods, and cheap convenience foods that *I* grew up eating, and I was most certainly neither neglected or abused. Let's keep child services focused on *actual* neglect and abuse. Signed, someone who reads CPS reports regularly as part of her job.
If you're a vegan, and you want a small companion animal, but don't want a carnivore like a cat, get a rabbit. They have similar lifespans to a cat, are low maintenance compared to a dog but still interactive, part of their diet will consist of produce you probably already have in your home, and there are thousands in shelters that need homes. You'd have a naturally vegan animal, and you'd save that rabbit from getting euthanized. Win-win.
LovelyTofu for the win! ^.^
And when it does you can make a lovely certified humanely raised, vegetable fed, no hormones added, rabbit stew.
Great comment but I would never advertise rabbits as low maintenance. They're not a tough pet once you get to know them but I have found they're a lot more work than a dog. But still totally worth it! And you must consider all types of bunny personality before adopting one because there's no guarantee two rabbits will be alike lol but yes adopting bunnies is a great thing to do 🐇
They're not low maintenance compared to dogs. They're very high maintenance (if cared for properly) and can live for 10 years.
1.Rabbits are not low maintenance
2.Their diet needs 70% hay,24% veggies, and rest pellets.
3.I do however agree for adoption.
In fact, the House Rabbit Society had a campaign last year promoting house rabbits as "vegan cats." There are great choices for vegan pet owners who can't bear to feed meat and fish, just as you say.
Love the House Rabbit Society!
just gotta hope they dont go too far and stuff the rabbit's face with carrots as a bulk of their diet...
Jessi did a video about that regarding to how Bugs Bunny doesnt represent the animal he is very well because of the whole 'bunny x carrot' stuff
I would also say goldfish since they are breed from carp that manly eat plants and algae. but they are very high maintnance, require large tanks and grow huge. so I can't suggest them
*looks at my corn snake*
Yeah Buddy, I believe I can't feed you with carrots
Of course you cant feed him carrots!!! Its a CORN snake!! You have to feed him corn!!!
Haha! Yup, and rattle snakes love themselves some delicious rattles!
La cucaracha La cucaracha ya no puede caminar (the cocroach spanish song) *Rattles*
@@hipsterfruitsalad9173 props to you, this made me laugh.
@@hipsterfruitsalad9173 So my yellow lab needs to eat yellow.
So very true Jessi! There are so many wonderful herbivorous species that make fantastic companions that there is really no excuse to force a vegan diet on a carnivorous or omnivorous species
There are always exceptions. For example, my dog is allergic to meat. I'm not going to give her meat because it will hurt her.
@Onion Face Again, allergic to meat. You think I didn't try that? Bold of you to assume otherwise. Of course I want her to be as healthy as possible, but it is limited when they have allergies. Meat allergies aren't extremely rare in modern dogs.
@@DarkestOfKoi How did you find out your dog was allergic to meat?
@@lNFINlTEx It started when I noticed her obsessively scratching her ears. After I noticed that, it was a trip to the vet where they determined the cause was a food allergy. Whatever that was causing her discomfort was causing her to get a yeast infection in her ears. From there, we began the process of elimination of different types of foods and food combinations. We tried special allergy foods for dogs, to home made foods, to special meats. It was there it was determined she had a general meat allergy and that the cure was to simply give her a vegan dog food and supplement it with some omegas. It was all vet monitored and approved.
@@DarkestOfKoi no need to make your dog vegan over a meat allergy. he can still have eggs.....
I'm a vegetarian, but I would never feel comfortable with putting my cats on a vegetarian diet.
Same here.
Good for you guys and your pets
Same
Kitty Winans same
Finally a vegetarian with some what of a brain to at least give meat to their pets
thank you so much for covering this topic. it has been on my mind a lot recently, especially since seeing a rise in the number of vegan dog food brands offered at my local pet store. there is so much misinformation on this topic, and i really appreciate you setting this straight for people who may feel confused or worried about the diet they are feeding their dogs and cats.
and it's not just dogs and cats too :(
look up something about a vegan lady forcing her vegan diet on a fennec fox that was bred to be a pet, that looked so healthy before she got a hold of it
@@MiraNecole apparently the vegan diet for that fox was recommended by a vet in the beginning because of an allergy or illness ect, but I don't remember what happened after that only that in the beginning it was vet recommended
But doesnt vegan dog or cat food contain all the nutrients they would need?
This honestly isn't an issue with true ethical vegans. I've been vegan for close to four years because I love animals so much, which also means I would never make my cat eat only fruits and veggies and grains. My quaker parrot on the other hand can be!
shimkii I find it interesting that when I watch a video by a rational sounding vegan critiquing the videos of vegans with more radical views that don't seem science based, the rational sounding vegan seems to manage to be a strict vegan yet still be very healthy and fit looking, while the vegans in the clips who don't have science based beliefs look all gaunt and skeletal as if they already have one foot in the grave. Those are usually the sort of people who think they can feed a cat a vegan diet, yet they haven't even figured out how to feed themselves a vegan diet without harming their health.
It's hypocritical of a vegan to have a cat as a pet.
Plenty of 'ethical vegans', freelee for example, advocate making cats vegan, go on any vegan group on Facebook and there will be fights about this.
@@heatherwalker5029 Freelee and Durianrider are passè and insane.
@@leonardodavinci7425 yeah but they don't think they're insane, neither do the many vegans' that make their cats vegan
The five rules you mentioned are so well put and clearly stated! Here they are in case anyone is interested:
1. They need a home that's close to their natural habitat.
2. They need to be kept at a comfortable temperature.
3. They need socialization and environmental stimulation.
4. They need food that fulfills their natural nutritional needs.
5. You never intentionally hurt them.
If only everyone understood that... "If you break one of these rules, you're breaking the promise you made to your companion animal." 💕🐾💕🐾💕🐾
It's completly possible to feed your pet a vegan diet ! Get a vegan, pet like a bunny 🐰.
Feeding a carnivore a vegan diet is just animal abuse.
I would also say goldfish since they are breed from carp that manly eat plants and algae. but they are very high maintnance, require large tanks and grow huge. so I can't suggest them
No💖
@@SK-sq5bk goldfishes, to reach their maximum health potential must be fed with baby shrimps or blood worms. There's a big difference. They're omnivorous and would even devour smaller fish like tetras.
@@user-mh5ip5sy3r Feeding an obligate carnivore a vegan or vegetarian diet *is* animal abuse.
@@justyouraverageyoutubeacco256 well if i saw a carnivorous animal starving i would let it die, is not my problem 🤷♀️🤷♀️
I'm gonna need my own shoulder lizard now.
Really
@@endangeredwild3283 yes
@@endangeredwild3283 it's a necessity for survival
@A cat in a drawer yes it is needed for survival
best one are leopard geckos and bearded dragons, if I'm correct, the lizard on her shoulder is a chinese water dragon, THAT THING IS SUPER EXPENSIVE TO KEEP
Yes! I'm vegan, and I feel like videos like this are SO important. Vegans often get too caught up in our own passion, and it can make it very easy for us to try and extend our self-imposed rules & codes onto the animals around us. I wouldn't want to feed meat to a pet, because to do that I'd have to support an industry I dislike, but there's still so many options for me! I could get a rabbit, guinea pig, certain birds, certain reptiles, most rodents, a select few amphibians, and so much more. We aren't lacking in choices, we just have to be mindful of how the moral & ethical codes we create for ourselves translate onto animals, and remember that we're in a position of privilege to be able to choose our diets so selectively.
In short: your cat cares more about living and being healthy than it does about whether you are sad for the fish it eats. And if you love them, you'll care that they live and are healthy, too.
Sorry, but I feel like this mentality is what's wrong with our society, saying that the welfare of me and the few animals I choose to care about is more important than the welfare of the rest of the animals that I couldn't care less about.
Chris Pape so the solution is to not have pets that eat meat.
@@peachyrandomness I would agree with this, and I might even go a step further and say that the solution is to not have pets. I don't believe that animals are ours to do with as we please.
@@christopherpape4823 If you've chosen to bring that animal into your care then yeah you do have to put its welfare first. Try going to lecture a mother tiger bringing a kill back for her cubs about how she shouldn't put the welfare of the animals in her care above that of a deer.
@@ClumsyM00se yes if you already have the animal I agree there's nothing else you can really do. But like I said I don't really believe in "owning" pets.
Thank you for addressing this topic informatively and frankly! I'd heard the correct conclusions of this question before but not the exact reasoning behind it, which is so essential in having a good discussion to these issues!
Loki is chill af.
Thanks so much for addressing this! And the little guy on your shoulder is adorable!
As a veterinary student, Thank u so much for putting this video up. It’s becoming a real issue in emergency clinics because people just don’t realize how different dogs and cats are from us. They just can’t do this diet. Also there is some pretty convincing research coming out showing that the grain free diets for dogs and cats are really doing some damage after a few years to dogs hearts and causing sudden heat failure. I would suggest avoiding them until the food producers figure out what in these foods is causing the problem.
People do not study animal nutrition. Most vets I've met are clueless and prescribe food that is just as destructive.
The problem is cats and dogs need real meat in their diet but we force them to eat processed, cancerous garbage. My cats have been on meat, bone, organ diet (vinegar washed) for over four years. The vet would have killed my cat with their toxic "prescription" food if I didn't bail. She is nine and healthier than when she was in vet care. Vets are clueless about animal nutrition and preventative health. They have lost my trust. I hope the new vet students can change things and really look out for animals.
@@TazHall let's not forget that some clinics are also sponsored by dog food companies, one Clinic i visited sponsors Royal Canin, not to say all of them do this, but some are also bias, which hurts animals long term
If that’s the case, is switching to a raw diet more better?
I just happened upon your TH-cam channel, and it's awesome! I've already learned so much. Bless you and your efforts to take care of so many different species.
Your chameleon is defective. I could see him the entire time.
Your brain is defective. Chameleons don't disguise just for fun,don't disguise fast. Octopuses do.
@@konothesledgerscavenger9930 Great useless insulting comment on a 1 year old joke! Typical TH-cam commenter. Sad!
@@konothesledgerscavenger9930 dude he's being sarcastic you don't know whats sarcasm do you
you didnt see the one on the other shoulder tho
The thumbnail!! So cute! (I have a dalmatian!) Great video, very educational and respectful.
I am going to guess the the answer is obviously no and it is sick to do that to an animal
@Onion Face
And idiotic. The fools shouldn't be allow to own such animals that requires a good portion of meat to stay healthy. There's plenty of other optional companions available that happens to be vegetarians like chinchillas or rabbits, both who makes excellent pets.
To be fair veganism is bad for a humans health as well. Although vegans can remedy that by eating supplements so they pretend that it is super healthy....
I suggest watching the video. Her conclusion is that it is possible to have dogs on a vegan diet, though, it's risky and difficult, so it requires consulting a vet before going ahead with it. (In which case most vets would probably advice you to include animal protein, just to be safe).
Cats and veganism is just a no go, plain and simple.
So basically do the right thing if you are a vegan and get a herbivore pet. Or no pet depending on your stance. No way you should risk a dog's health for your morals.
@@julioservantes8242 In what was is a vegan diet unhealthy for humans? The longest living populations of earth are the most vegan ones.
Thank you for posting this video!!!! There is a weird trend on TH-cam animal community to force pets to become vegans because their owners are living a vegan lifestyle. Thank you again for preaching the truth about pet diets!! 🙏🐶🐱🐰🐸
It's weird. Veganism is about protecting animals. Feeding your cat a vegan diet is abuse. How ironic...
But true
No god but Allah
Islam way for peace and the real monotheism
Search for the truth and right way with honest heart And ask him for the right way for his mercy.
@@amany247 No god at all can be objectively proven to be true. Any supreme deity shouldn't be so selfish as to care about being worshipped.
This! I can't even believe you have to do a video on this. I have ferrets who are obligate carnivores. They literally cannot digest anything other than protean and fat. Since their digestive tracts are so short they are incapable of digesting anything that comes from plants. If you feed them a piece of banana it will come out as mashed banana, pretty much undigested. Before I got my first ferret, I did MONTHS of research to make sure I could choose a good diet for them. That is the contract you make when you get an animal. If you can't feed an animal their proper diet, don't get the animal. That shouldn't even have to be said.
Excellent video!!! I've had this discussion before in the past and have always pointed at the cat's teeth as a primary right-in-the-room proof...! We were also adjusting our cats' diets (we have three huge house cats) from all hard cat food to a mixture of soft food and kibble, to reduce their weight and prevent diabetes. We added twice-a-week treats of raw chicken as well in the past four months, to let them have more of the animal source protein without any extra stuff like carbs or salt. (And because the amounts are small it's literally free, we just give them trimmings from poultry when we're preparing a chicken dinner!)
I have a question, though - you mention environmental stimulation, by which I know you're talking about various forms of enrichment.
Even though house cats may not be the most exotic of critters - could you maybe do a video on what sorts of things owners can do to stimulate cat behaviors in a general sense? I'd love to learn more about what might make my kitties happier!!
I love the tone of this video, so many people jump straight to screaming at vegan pet owners, and the intended audience just stops listening, because they feel insulted. Great video Jessi.
You did a marvelous job covering this in a respectful, well-informed manner.
Thanks for spreading this message! There are too many people who are misinformed
"a vegan collie in the UK, lived to age 25 on a plant-based diet and is recognized as one of the longest-living dogs in the Guinness Book of World Records. Her guardian, Anne Heritage, has raised seven vegan dogs, and five of them lived past 19 years old."
Good to see you healthy again! That lizard is so chill on your shoulders. Good video.
Thanks for spreading awareness. I'm feeling like there are still a lot of people more willing to put their pride and beliefs over their responsibilities as a pet owner. Videos like these give me hope not all vegetarians and vegans have lost their minds.
That vegan teacher needs to see this
Great video! You could always give your dogs (NOT cats) *mostly* vegan food (e.g. V-Dog, a commercial vegan dog food) and mix in a small bag of non-vegan food to make sure they're not missing anything. That's what I did and it helped me to keep my dogs healthy while contributing the least harm possible 💕
Ah yes finally, someone that think for their own pet.
Thank you for addressing this in a gentle and firm manner. Our animals depend entirely on us for their wellbeing - we shouldn’t let them down!
Wow you saw that I got a new doggy and wanted to make sure I made the right diet decisions for him. I swear I have the most thoughtful mom in the world. Love ya so much my ginger cookie my ginger spice you're the best.
🤣 Victoria Ryann I love u
Lol this made me laugh "ginger cookie ginger spice" that's awesome
@Kozmikōcēlōtl stop being creepy
Hi Jessi!
I really appreciate you coming out with this video and being respectful. I've been a vegan for 7 years and I currently and have always adopted cats. I do not feed them a vegan diet but it is definitely something that comes up a lot in the vegan community. So there are several vegan cat food kibble formulas on the market and they do have the AFFCO approval statement which is technically all that is required for a particular food to be balanced and suitable.
I would like to know what your position is on these particular formulas and why are why not you feel that way. Thanks!!
0:56 she said “fish needs water” and I agree lol 😂
When yo gf breathe
th-cam.com/video/cJVXDkzSIEg/w-d-xo.html
Bottom Text
I feel like it should be optional.
Very informative, just like the rest of your videos! Thank you for spreading good information.
That was a great video! You do a great job of explaining things so that people are empowered to understand WHY things like a proper diet are important.
I have a question for you! Is there any reason why you only keep one fingernail painted? I always notice that you only have one painted for your pointer finger, is there any reason why?
I include meat in my diet but the university I went to was Seventh-Day Adventist and the campus (and most of the students) practiced vegetarianism. One time my anatomy and physiology professor bragged about her dog being vegan and we were all taken aback.
So are vegan dog foods, like vdog, that are approved by the AAFCO safe? It is supplemented with all nutrients mentioned in the video, so I dont see how it could be unsafe.
it's safe. Get blood tests at the vet once a year if you are worried.
I loved watching Loki just chill on your shoulder the whole video. It's kind of sad that you have to talk about the dangers of giving cats a vegan diet, but you were very informative and concise about why they need to eat meat to be healthy. Thank you.
I agree Jessi..I have been a a semi-vegetarian for 4 years now but when I had dogs they got all the essentials and they both lived happy and healthy long lives. I have two birds ..one is a parakeet and one is a cockatiel. My parakeet is 4 yrs old and she is fine except that likes living alone in the huge cage I have for her She killed the other past two males. My male cockatiel is a spoiled rescue that I got when he was 3 month old and I have had him for 21 yrs and he would rather sleep on my shoulder that sleep in his cage. But I cannot do that ..so he ends up sleeping in the cage. But I take him out many times a day when the sun in out and I also play with him a lot ...And he gets veggies and fruits along with his seeds and treats too.
Look at that lizzar! What a good pal! I can't remember its name but that's the chinese water dragon right? A+ shoulder dragon, I wish I could have one.
My friends dog has terrible food allergies and is on a vet prescribed vegan diet. I know his wife put a lot of care and thought into the decision and they tried many alternatives before moving to this diet and he is being monitored closely by the vet. I'm glad you made this video, too many people put their animals on inappropriate diets without vet consultation!
You are the best! I also want to point out that cats do better with a wet food diet, especially ones that don’t contain animal byproducts. Because my new rescue threw up when eating kibble, we switched the two resident cats to soft food twice a day. At first they acted like they hated it (except for the new cat who’d been starving when we found him) but eventually ate it, and love it just as much. The one resident cat lost some weight because she’d stress eat and all their coats were much smoother and shinier. I would urge cat owners to switch to a quality wet food like Wellness if you can! In the wild, cats mostly get their water from their prey and rarely have to drink.
THANK YOU!
Thank you thank you thank you! For choosing to talk about this controversial(sadly) topic! This brings hope, because I see that children love you channel and will be educated about this properly!
And until all workers that pick the vegans vegetables are treated equally I do not wan't to see or hear a peep from any vegans that love to showcase themselves as better than others. (I'm not saying all vegans do that, but a sizable portion of loud ones do...)
These were intelligent and knowledgeable arguments! At my local pet store I shared my ideas about my dog going vegan and she bluntly replied that dogs are carnivores while also being dismissive of BARF (which is carnivorous anyway), she followed up by arguing that dogs DO need carbohydrates and could risk protein toxicity when fed only (BARF) animal protein...I don’t know if I could get the factual information or guidance out of her I would need to properly and safely feed my dog...! We did however agree on whole foods being better for a dog anyways over pellets consisting of wheat flour and oxidised liquid oils. Frustrating being discriminated against by the staff, when considering the dog food I showed her had both added Taurine, Carnitine and fortified with the adequate nutrients as well as ample amounts of protein
People who feed animals vegan food do not deserve to live nor even exist, they go right to the depths of hell. You really explained this in great detail, good job
Dogs can live with being vegan
@@discolove4141 no, they will suffer, dogs can live being an omnivore tho
Beautiful explanation, Jessi! Thanks for covering this topic!
I am vegan and I absolutely agree with you, thank you for your message.
I did not know dogs were omnivores! I recently met a dog whose favorite treat was carrot, and for a second I was worried. Now I am not!
Dogs can eat carrots max loves them and he eats a healthy omnivorous diet
@@Sparklewolfgirl67 but dog cannot eat more carrot because carrot sugar is high, don't eat more
I am vegetarian but i know that my cat and dog need meat, thats part of who they are, if you want your animal to eat vegan food then get a herbivore, not a cat
I am vegan and I know firsthand that vegans often go to extreme in their beliefs (like starving their children) so it is good to have someone explain in detail why meat is important for cats and dogs. My cat eats meat and is perfectly happy.
It's hypocritical of you as a vegan to have a cat as a pet.
@@leonardodavinci7425 it really isn't.
@@Lundy.Fastnet.Irish_Sea It is though
@@Lundy.Fastnet.Irish_Sea it is but hey as long as you care for the cat and show love to the animals you doing good service to the cause 😉
@@angeliparraguirre7329 I don't think it is. Vegans think that humans don't need animal products so they strive to avoid animal products. This isn't meant to be extended to animals who unlike humans actually need to consume other animals.
You are AMAZING. I'm a hardcore vegan, but I would NEVER put my dog on a vegan diet, period. He eats lots of vegetables, but as treats and supplements to his balanced diet of premium food. There's no need to make your buddy suffer because YOU are a vegan.
I have a healthy dog that eats a vegan diet and I know four other dogs that are doing very well on a vegan diet as well.
@@leonardodavinci7425 Good for you, bad for your dog.
@@ADVBear Nope, dogs are well able to digest starch as they produce amylase whereas wolves don't produce it. One of the most long lived dogs ever recorded was a vegan collie dog.
.@@leonardodavinci7425 So, one long-lived dog is proof that a pure vegan diet is adequate for dogs? That's hardly a sizeable sample. Ultimately, we do as we think is best for our friends. Sometimes, we think we are doing the best for them, but the reality can be very different. I would love to have Arthur in a completely vegan diet because it bothers me greatly to buy animal-based products. But the science and evidence do not care what I think
@@ADVBear Most breeds of dog can easily survive and even thrive on a vegan diet.
I’m sure my neighbour had a Welsh Cabbage Terrier. And a relative had a Maltese Sprout cat. They are dead now.
To be fair, properly balance “vegan” or mainly plant based kibble does exist for both cats and dogs but is generally regarded as something to be used if necessary. An example would be a dog I used to have had developed a strong infection in the liver, this affected his way of processing animal based protein and fats which would cause intoxication and horrible seizures. For that medical reason I switched to a mainly plant based balanced kibble, and all treats were plant based. Please be respectful when people say their pets can’t eat one thing or another, I often went through nights of cluster seizures, doing my best to take care of my dog because a visitor decided they knew better about my dog’s health and would give him a piece of meat or fat after I told them not to and to be careful with scraps that fell to the floor since they would make him terribly sick. Ask why if you are suspicious, but always remember you are not the owner and might be causing more harm than good by giving that dog a “tasty treat”.
The difference between your scenario and the one that this video addresses, is that owners are making the decision for their animals, based on their own desires to convert them to a vegan diet. When you travel down this road with your vet, you are following the guidance of a professional and are doing so with the specific individual's needs in mind.
When my pupper developed liver issues, one of the treatment plans we tried was the soy-based diet. Ultimately, this was not the answer for us and ended up causing additional health issues and we made the decision to transition back to a standard diet. The important point to your journey and mine, (and many others) was that it was made with a veterinarian's guidance, and it was not a decision made simply because we did not want our loved friends to eat a meat-based diet. Yours was not a selfish or uninformed decision, this video was likely created to address and educate the individuals who feel that their pet's diet is a choice, along with theirs. Your decision was made with the health of your sweet pupper in mind, and with the assistance of a professional.
Thank you for being good to your dog. Caring for a special needs pupper is hard, especially when you find yourself in preventable situations.
Kristina Deignan just thought it was worth the while to point out that there are cases in which it may be needed. There can be misinformation on both ends after all.
So, are insects vegan? Because I'm almost positive that lizard eats insects. Or do vegans only care for cute animals?
Does this apply to foxes? I remember someone on instagram was feeding a fennec fox a vegan diet and it looked TERRIBLE!
That sin is unforgivable
Foxes absolutely need meat
@@lucbrown3091 it really is.
Foxes are omnivorous, which means a portion of their diet need to come from an animal source in order for them to thrive, but they're not obligate carnivores like cats. However they do require a high protein diet, and most of that protein must come from an animal source because it's harder for them to digest plant based protein. And like cats, they do requite taurine.
@@acethememelorde4377 yes, but she was feeding it a vegan diet and it looked like it could drop dead any second!
Thanks so much for this in-depth explanation about obligate carnivores and omnivores. There are still vegan websites out there that tell people to feet their pet cat a vegan diet, this should be illegal! I would even go as far as recommending a raw meat diet, since that is the proper food for them to stay healthy for a long time. Plus the litter box gets so much less yucky and smelly, advantage and reward for the human guardian that feeds a cat naturally. Dogs also like raw meat and the bones are a perfect chewing toy.
Another point Jessi kind of touched on in the video is that carnivores - especially obligate carnivores - need organ meat to stay healthy; they can’t get the nutrients they need by just eating muscle meat.
@@ragnkja Absolutely right. The perfect food would of course be whole rodents, but who has them waiting around to be eaten? Luckily there are whole frozen meals with bones and organs available, next best thing.
@@audreywinter6910 Any of numer of reptile owners have freezers full of dead rats/mice to feed their snakes and lizards, you just thaw them out as needed to feed to your animal. So it's quite possible to feed your cat a diet of (previously frozen) rats or mice but I'm not sure how economically viable it would be though since snakes and lizards don't need to eat every day, but cats generally do. But I'd imagine that a cat would probably love a "fresh" mouse or rat as the occasional treat.
@@Riceball01Sadly, I haven't found a pet shop which sells frozen mice. I had thought of that, since gnawing on a whole animal is like dental hygiene for cats in the wild and the fur is like plant fibers are for us for digestion. When I was little, we rescued a falcon and nursed her back to health. We would catch mice with traps and buy some frozen chicks for variation. Too bad I don't live there anymore, where these things were available.
@@audreywinter6910 You can actually order them online, even through Amazon, I just checked, but no Prime shipping though.
ThatVeganTeacher: _"Imma pretend I didn't see any of this... or I guess just ignore it because I'm stupid."_
Honestly, the way I see it as a vegan, buying my pet meat-based dog food once or twice a month is doing way less damage in the grand scheme of things than if I also purchased animal products as well. I choose to be vegan and I have the nutritional capability to be one, but my pets can’t and do not.
My dog, Benji, absolutely loves carrots and apples, he chooses them over meat when given the choice.
A vegan dog once won the Guinness World Record for the longest living dog. I believe it's still in the top 5.
Still do you want dog in good condition or better, giving balance diet is Better.
Stick with dog natural food source
@@accessdenied5998
I want the best of both for the dog and the animals being *Stabbed in the Neck* for their flesh!
If a dog can be healthy on a vegan diet then it should be be the goal.
We can't selfishly pick one animal's life over thousands of others, if a dog can be healthy without them.
@@sphumelelesijadu a lot of the oldest goldfish have lived in bowl or small tanks.does that mean it is fine to abuse th cuase they lived long?
It is selfishly picking one life over another when you decide to ignore what animal needs has speices cuase you can't accept death and what a animal is.
Dogs need meat cuase they are carnivores.not giving them meat shows you can't accept a dog for what it is and hate the exstiance of carnivores.
@@starandfox601 giving a dog shelter and a health diet allowing them to live long is not abuse. If a dog has only had vegan food, that is just as healthy, what is the problem? Dogs are omnivores just google it, it's not difficult. A dog can get what it needs on a vegan diet.
Dude what are you talking about? Do you know the definition of need?
Excuse me if I'm not sold on the idea of lambs be cut open for my dog to enjoy the taste when it could be healthy on something else. If we were talking about cats I'd be able to understand but not dogs.
@@sphumelelesijadu you're the problems. ignorant and useless
You got them all, what a achievement. Even flat Earther aren't that kind of useless
Can you talk about how you personally feed your dog(s)? I don’t remember if you go over it in an older video. Do you just use a kibble or do you supplement with other foods?
Lol the lizard just chilling on jessis shoulder lol
Watching this while my dog is crunching half a lamb leg beside me. I love him so much I'm not going to force him to eat what he doesn't want it. He gets liver and a green supplement meant to compliment a raw diet. I mix it with yogurt because he won't eat it otherwise.
Vegan pet food should not be used unless your animal is allergic to meat proteins. Even with dogs, it is cruelty to animals.
Somebody show this to that vegan teacher
Vegans: We need to be compassionate to animals.
Also vegans: Let's feed carnivore/omnivore pets with solely plant-based diets
Thank you so much for this great and informative video. After watching this, and Dr. Karen Becker's video, I will not feed my cat a vegan diet. I'm reading books on cat nutrition and behavior so I can give my future best friend the best life possible. I now know that feeding my cat a vegan diet is not healthy, nor does it provide them with the nutrition they need since cats are obligate carnivores. I'm transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, but my cat will be fed the best pet food I can buy with protein from animal sources. I think it is true, we cannot force our animal companions to subscribe to our beliefs, especially when their bodies were not designed to be herbivores or omnivores. You taught me something, so thanks once again.
Dolores
Jessi, I have a question. I don't have a dog but this made me wonder about vegetarian dog food. I've seen a lot of it as it's not meat but still animal proteins. Is it any good?
Seriously if you are giving dogs or especially cats a vegan diet you need to be prosecuted for animal cruelty.
Very interessting topic indeed. Though I should add that it's too bad you didn't give any scientific sources from all this information you gave us in the description. Maybe think of adding that next time.
Just add “Yes, here’s why” to the title.
I work at a pet store and had a lady get so mad at me for not having a vegan kibble option. I tried to explain it wasn’t good for them, and it’s in their nature to eat meat. But she like, “No, it’s not. She a house cat, she hasn’t even seen a bird before.” I’ve never wanted to face palm so hard before.
Now I have more details to inform people now.
Dogs are omnivorous and can be vegan. Some of the longest living dogs ever recorded were vegan dogs.
Cats are obliged carnivorous.
If you are a vegan, don't get a cat as a pet. Dogs, parrots, rabbits and some rodents can thrive on a vegan diet and should be preferred by vegan owners.
If you love animals, don't eat animals nor feed them to your pet animal.
dogs are omnivores yes. they can "survive" on veganism. they will be seriously limited in their ability to thrive. if you study the dogs amylase production, a vegan diet can wreak havoc on the bowels (which is just one issue)
dogs care about living more than health. your responsibility as a handler is to feed them a diet to thrive, not just survive.
the longest living dog was not vegan. bluey was actually only recorded to be a herding dog.
Just because you can force your lifestyle on your pet who didn't agree to it and didn't need it doesn't mean you should.
Thanks for this, I was wondering about it since I saw a advertisement for "vegan food for cats" on an online store. Having a vegan-like diet myself, I was baffled that such a thing even existed and I considered it for a moment. I ended up getting a rabbit, but I was still wondering about this vegan food...
I thought the main concern with vegan cats was urinary track infections, but you didn't mention those. Also, I thought taurine was already supplemented even in most based cat food because the canning process operates at a temperature that denatures taurine, meaning even non-vegan cats get taurine supplements.
Regarding taurine: Natural Taurine supplements suitable for cats - Fresh or low-temperature dried seaweed, freeze-dried krill, and brewer's yeast.
Great video as usual. I noticed that your husband wasn't in the animated intro. Hope all is well. Love you and the work you do.
Since I've been seeing a lot of "Holy crap how could you feed a vegan diet?!". I agree, but (!) please keep in mind, everytime I read conventional cat foods (whiskers etc) ingredients I go: "Holy crap, how could you?!" This stuff is expensive AND bad. So keep an eye one the nutrition of your pets, doesn't matter if your vegan or not :)
Such great information!
I would like to share this video to That vegan teacher and v-gan booty.
I love how she just has the lizard on her shoulder the entire time. I love you Jessie (or is it Jessi or Jesse? I forgot sorry) and how you are so willing to teach and learn.
THANK YOU!!! For explaing this, i understand everyone has their own beleifs but you should NEVER push that on a animal. Especially when it can harm their well being
If feeding an animal properly is too hard for you, then don't get that animal. When lab-grown meat becomes commercially available (and affordable), that will change. I encourage everybody who can to eat more plants and consider going vegan.
Vegans should focus on long term goals like that
Putting your dog or cat on a vegan diet is like making a shark eat only salad.
Or like making a rabbit only eat salmon.
Thank you for covering this subject. I had a conversation about this the other day.
I was watching that vegan teacher and as a non vegan person, I got curious and wanted scientific facts
You definitely won't get them watching her.
*That vegan Teacher*
Imma pretend I didn't know that
So in short. Dog’s can be vegan. Ideally with supplements. But cat’s can’t.
Great video with great information!!
thanks for uploading this!
Omg, the little lizard is listening sooo carefully, such a sweet audience member☺️
I remember when vegan gains was feeding his dog a vegan diet and the dog almost died from malnutrition. People cant apply their moral code to an animal that can only get certain nutrients from meat, that's just immoral in itself. Thank you for this video it was educational and detailed :)
I understand the cells of plants and animals are different in structure and some nutrients are best absorbed when consumed in the format nature intended. Also, different foods can affect how a nutrient is processed in the body. Yet, in the modern age, or at least near future, it seems reasonable that the food requirements for a species like a dog to thrive can be attained in a sustainable, healthy and ethical way. We've already been able to grow animal tissues into full grown burgers, a process done without the need for gallons of water, pollution/waste and without needing to commit harm to someone, a sentient, emotional being, who has a right to a happy, healthy life. I'm saying it's possible to give a cat or a dog a diet that both reflects their individual needs and the ideals of their human guardians, either through lab grown meat or supplements. Also, a lot of plant proteins can mimick animal ones closely enough, or scientists can extract the phytonutrients and put them backtogether in a similar structure. Also, a lot of the nutritional value of other animals comes from the plants they eat, it may be fine for us to skip that step in the food chain but with our modern technology and food science, can we really do the same for canines and felines? I think it may be more of a reality one day, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's today. So, it seems best for both ourselves and our animal companions to eat a diet that's closest to our evolutionary lifestyle as possible (including exercize) and to take what nature gives us in as closest to its natural form as possible (no processed or heavily refined "foods").
No matter who you are, you deserve to be happy and healthy! Thanks for the informative video!
This. *This.*
I've wanted a cat my whole life and have been deeply invested in doggo culture since it became a thing, thinking I'll adopt once I own a place.
But then I went vegetarian (hopefully vegan eventually) and realized I'm really not okay with owning an animal who eats meat.
It was actually kinda painful to learn I'll never be okay with owning a cuddly kitty or a Shiba Inu to meme. But I'd never, ever force an animal onto an unnatural diet.
So now the plan is to adopt an obnoxious birb or two I can give head scritches to~*~
You suck.
I'm vegan but don't feed my dogs vegan diets!
I was curious about what you said regarding the most common D3 sources, fish, cows, and egg yolks. Since wild species of cats don't typically eat fish or cows, and I don't think they would have all that many opportunities to eat eggs, where do you think they get their D3? Do mice and birds (and perhaps antelopes and zebras for large cats) have it in their organs? Thanks! :)
Well cats literally DIE without meat so if I see somebody feeding their cat anything but meat I'm fucking his day up
Cat don't eat much green in nature, mostly a certain types of grass that i don't know or remember the name
They tend to only eat grass so they vomit (I think)
Are there really people who give their dogs and cats a vegan diet ? They are predators (or at least their ancestors) optimized to eat meat. I love your videos and how you handle animals and takes care of them, respect !
I have a dog who loves carrots (for most those on my plate :-) ). The most bizar was a dog I had that passed away 2 years ago at the age of 18, he ate everything that smelled like food. We had to be very careful because he would even eat an empty cardboard box or plastic bag that stored food.
I always buy the best dog-food I can find (advised by my vet) All dogs I ever had became between 15 and 19 years old
As far as I know cats and dogs also have a to short guts traject to digest plants. Wild carnivors get their "plants" from eating plant-eaters who pre-digested it for them in their very long guts and multiple stomacs. I hope I use the right terms, I am Dutch and although I have to read/write a lot of English, it is only Electronics related.
Yes, just put the vitamins on the meat.
I’m a vegan 🌱 and I completely agree. I have been vegan for a year now and I have a dog. I am still researching and consulting vets to this day on how to safely, gradually shift my pet to a vegan diet. I still haven’t changed anything about her diet, and won’t until I’m 100% sure on what I am doing.
please don't feed your dog a vegan diet. they need meat and you need to accept that is a part of their biology.
it's unfair for them to have your beliefs shoved onto them and their needs ignored for said beliefs.
There are more and more studies that show a vegan diet for dogs could be healthier, but it should be whatever is best for your pet.