Dogs are not carnivores, but omnivores by nature. This means that their diet consists of meat, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Commercial tinned dog food is not necessarily the healthiest form of dog food, so if you want to feed your dog a balanced diet, you should also give it food that does not contain chicken, meat or eggs.

Due to allergies and other illnesses, many dogs even have to follow a special diet that excludes the consumption of certain animal products. There are many vegetarian and vegan options for the dog's diet.

Vegetarian diet for dogs
Dogs get many of the diseases of civilisation that also affect us humans due to eating too much meat. These diseases include allergies, heart problems, organ disorders and some types of cancer. Many dogs live long and healthy lives on a purely vegetarian diet. One example is that of the Scottish Collie Bramble, who was fed exclusively on lentils, rice and vegetables and lived to be 27 years old.
Most vegetarian dog foods contain egg, which provides a lot of protein. Some varieties are even made with ground eggshells to ensure the dog gets enough calcium. Vegetarian dog food can also contain cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products. Beans and soya products provide 30 to 60% of the required protein in a good vegetarian diet. The dog gets about the same amount of carbohydrates from wholemeal products. A vegetarian diet should include equal amounts of fruit and vegetables, as well as fats from olive oil, peanut oil or sunflower oil.

Vegan diet for dogs
A vegan diet excludes any products that are primarily or secondarily derived from animals. To ensure that the dog still gets enough nutrients, vegan dogs are mainly given pulses such as beans, lentils, soya beans, peas and Brussels sprouts for protein. The dog gets its carbohydrates from brown rice, potatoes, millet or semolina. Potatoes should be mashed to make them easier to digest. Add fruit or vegetables.

Nutrition with fish
Fish is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The most suitable foods are unsalted salmon, herring and white fish. Fish are part of the natural diet in the wild and are very healthy for dogs when unprocessed.