Is vegan diet safe for dog? Vets weigh in as Lewis Hamilton's pet dies

"'Dogs are facultative carnivores, which means they can digest plant material and survive without meat, but may not thrive,' explained animal welfare researchers Alexandra Whittaker, Adriana Dominguez-Oliva, and Daniel Mota-Rojas in an article for The Conversation. Whether it's for ethical reasons, sustainability, or perceived health benefits, people around the world are increasingly going vegan. And some are even going so far as to feed their animals in accordance with these dietary choices."

"However, at a basic level, dogs - as well as cats - are carnivores. 'The anatomy of the dog and cat gut also clearly points to their carnivorous lifestyles,' the researchers explained. 'Their teeth are designed to crush and grind meat, and hold prey. Their intestines are also short with a smaller capacity in relation to body size since, unlike herbivores, they do not need to ferment plant-based material to digest it.'"

"Lewis Hamilton has confirmed that his beloved vegan dog Roscoe has been put down - saying he has 'lost his best friend'. The English Bulldog experienced several health problems since Hamilton adopted him back in 2013, even spending his last week in hospital with pneumonia. In an effort to improve his dog's quality of life, Hamilton put him on a strict vegan diet in 2020."

Lewis Hamilton's English Bulldog Roscoe had recurring health problems and spent his last week in hospital with pneumonia before being put down. Hamilton adopted Roscoe in 2013 and placed him on a strict vegan diet in 2020 to improve his quality of life while ensuring nutritional needs. Animal welfare researchers note dogs are facultative carnivores: they can digest some plant material but may not thrive without meat. Canine anatomy—teeth adapted for crushing and holding prey, and relatively short intestines—reflects carnivorous tendencies. Plants often lack sufficient amino acids and vitamins essential for heart, eye and liver function, so vegan pet diets require careful supplementation and monitoring.

Read at Mail Online