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A VEGAN diet has become so popular that every man and his dog are trying it – literally.
The number of people learning about the controversial diet was enough to entice a Brisbane veterinarian, who feeds his own dog, mostly vegan, to start organizing workshops.
Dr. Malina Fielder, a holistic veterinarian, teaches pet owners how to prepare vegan meals at monthly workshops that attract groups of 10 to 12 people at a time.
"People tell me that I hurt dogs and that it is dangerous," she said.
"They do not know that I'm proposing a complete and balanced diet, with all the nutritional values that meat-based foods contain.On the contrary, it should be more popular.It's the healthiest diet."
For protein, Dr. Fielder recommends replacing meat with tofu, lentils, rice, mushrooms, quinoa and non-genetically modified vegetables. For iron, she suggests almonds, tahini, leafy vegetables and non-commercial peanut butter.
"Although humans can get everything they need in food, this is not the case for dogs," said Dr. Fielder. "If it's not supplemented with minerals and irons, you should not offer it to your dog at all."
Dr. Malina Fielder with Violet shar pei slipping into a plate of fruits and vegies. Image: AAP / John Gbad
Lisa Thorn, 25, of Burpengary, has fed her three border collies with a strict vegan diet since she was eight weeks old.
"It's not in the nature of my dogs to hunt and kill a pig for food, so why would I give them something that they would not want naturally?" she says. "On the other hand, facing a vegetable garden, they ate everything."
Animal nutritionist Ruth Hatten urged the owners to be careful that they feed their animals.
"You can not feed your dog with pasta and vegetables, it would not be enough," she said. "Some dogs simply will not be able to feed on a vegan diet.This is not a unique model."
Dr. Fielder and Mrs. Hatten both feed their own meat and vegan diet.
"If a diet provides all the nutrients the dog needs, it is safe and healthy," Hatten said.
Dr. Karishma Dahia, a veterinarian of the Queensland Animal Welfare League, said she would not recommend a vegan diet for dogs.
"Proteins derived from animal sources, or a meat-based diet, are impossible to obtain from a vegan diet," she said.
"The vegan protein comes from soy, which is safe for humans, but can be harmful to animals."
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