It's a green diet for dogs too

It's not just people who are turning over a "green" leaf, but looks like dogs have joined the fad too. With most people adopting a vegetarian lifestyle now, pet lovers prefer to feed the same to their dogs. They put their pet on a balanced diet of veggies and rice. So if you see a pet eating veggies, you can pretty much figure out its owner's lifestyle! On the other hand, if you're a non-vegetarian then your dog gets to eat remains like the bones and a little bit of meat too. A dog's protein requirement is different when compared to us. So the point here is not if your pet can survive on a vegan diet, but if their nutrient intake is sufficient? Lakshmi Kala Vardharajan doesn't agree with the fact that feeding them just vegetables would do any good. "I feel our pets must be treated like our own kids." Anjana Damodharan echoes the same sentiment when she says vegetarianism is not advisable for dogs since it's not their natural diet. "Maybe I am baised but I am a vegetarian, so I keep my dog on that diet. It's hard to find people and their pets with different eating habits.Your lifestyle decide what your pet would eat." On another note, Rohit Kalingarayar, an agriculturist and canine lover suggests that fish is good for pups and turning them veg is not a viable option as their fur loses luster. "I have seen people give their dogs medicines instead of natural foods which must be avoided." Raj Bharath has two Dalmatians, one vegetarian and the other a meat eater. One of them lives on a strict diet of boiled vegetables. He says that there is a marked difference in the skin texture of his dogs "My veggie dog has lesser hair fall, silky and smooth skin. So, I am careful about what I feed them." When talking about lifestyle, he agrees with the fact that a pooch's lifestyle is similar to that of its owner. It's not just about the food, their dinner and sleep timings too are same. "My pets love their afternoon siesta. Just like me!" he grins. Violinist Viji Krishnan is a strict vegetarian, but she gives her German Shepherd, some non-veg food supplements too. "It's difficult to restrict them to a particular kind of diet for they might miss out on important nutrients and carbs. This is why I stick to dog food which has everything" The question of lifestyle could be a matter of choice and cannot be generalized. Saravanan, a veterinarian is quite concerned about the lifespan of dogs these days. "A dog's lifespan used to be 20 years. It is now reduced to 15. Longevity is definitely a cause of worry for pet lovers who consider them as an integral part of their family. Herbivorous animals live longer while compared to their carnivore vegetarian counterparts," says Saravanan. There's no conclusive evidence on the effect of veg or non-veg food on animals' health. But the bottomline is to ensure your pet gets a nutritious diet that gives him a long life. Checklist - Consult a veterinarian to analyze what's best and how much food should be given to your dog. - Chart out a balanced diet plan for your pet. - It is always essential that your pet gets some sort of exercise. Regular walks will help the dog a lot. - Do not over feed your dog. Feeding him all that you eat may be your way of pampering your pet. But health wise it's a strict no-no.