A vegetarian pet owner's dilemma.

A while back I wrote a little ditty about vegetarianism and whether or not it is in conflict with a dog's diet. The verdict: It's too new of a concept to tell. I took THOR in to the vet to get his vaccinations updated and asked William Langhofer, DVM whether or not it was a good idea to feed my dogs a vegetarian diet. He said that it's quite the controversial issue, but that since dogs are historically carnivores (it is only since they have become domesticated that they have taken on more omnivore-tolerant characteristics) it is not a good idea to keep them from eating what they would naturally eat in the wild. He said that until more research is done and published to prove that it is beneficial to a dog's and/or cat's health, it is too early to advise it as a healthy alternative for your furry companion.

David A. Dzanis, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVN, a correspondent for dognutrition.com, wrote an extensive article warning pet owners against feeding their naturally carnivorous animals a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet. His best advice to those who refuse to feed their pets any animal products because it is against their own moral fiber: get a pet that would thrive on a completely vegetarian diet (birds, iguanas, rabbits, horses and goats, to name a few). It is not in any dog's best interest to force it to eat a vegetarian diet.

So what should you feed your dog? It has become quite trendy to give pooches food that sometimes appears to be even more palatable than the things we eat! While dining on hot dogs and beans out of a can, my dear grandmother used to feed and prepare our dog filet mignon- yes, the same kind you would order at Ruth's Chris Steak House. While I do not agree with that philosophy necessarily, I think it is equally important to be aware of what you are feeding your pup and to eat healthy yourself. Just because your dog likes something (and perhaps it is cheap, too) does not make it healthy for him. College students aside, I highly doubt you would dine on Ramen noodles every day for the rest of your life simply because it is cheap and tastes good.

It's important to be familiar with the nutritional content of the food you give your dog. Stay tuned for more details on what to look for in a dog food, the nutrients your dog needs, "fillers" to avoid, and my recommendations for optimal health for your four-legged friend!