PLANT-BASED DOGS Meg Hurley
32 4 Legs & a Tail
F
or the past 15 years, the Boxers and the mixed-breed rescue who lived and do live with us have eaten only plants— no meat, fish, eggs, and no dairy. In 2005, when we started feeding the dogs organic plant-based meals, exclusively, this was uncharted territory, mostly, but we were determined to figure it out for three reasons, one being that Boxers have high cancer rates. Eating an organic whole-foods, plantbased diet ourselves, we knew that nutritional scientists (who are biochemists) have proven that humans eating whole-foods, plant-based (WFPB) diets can prevent, stop, reverse, and even cure several deadly and debilitating diseases, including many cancers, heart disease, diabetes, ED, osteoporosis, obesity, arthritis, and psoriasis. Much of their research is done with animals, such as turning off cancer cell production with plant foods. So we wondered whether WFPB meals for dogs could minimize—even prevent—cancer so prevalent in many breeds and other issues like skin problems. Before we began their new diets I read everything I could find about WFPB diets for dogs. Also, I called Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Cornell University’s Jacob Gould Sherman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry, founder of the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, and author of The China Study, a New York Times bestseller on how eating animal protein makes humans sick, contrary to popular beliefs. Dr. Campbell trained in veterinary medicine before earning his Ph.D. in biochemistry/nutritional science. Although he knew of no research to support the health benefits of plantbased meals for dogs, he said it made sense. Our supportive veterinarian joined us on the sharp learning curve. Since then the dogs have thrived as vegan dogs. All of them have been and continue to be healthy and vigorous and live beyond Boxers’ 8 to 10-year lifespan. They eat cooked vegetables, a mix of grains, a mix of beans, and fruits, excluding those that are not safe, such as grapes, avocadoes, and some nuts. We add in small amounts of organic vegan kibble, nutritional yeast, ground flax and sunflower seeds, and Vegedog for a full complement of vitamins and minerals. They eat with gusto! Yes, they have had cancer, but tumors were very small and the lowest grade. Healing has been quick and without complications. Today, there are more and more veterinarians who are supportive of plant-based diets for canines and willingly undertake the necessary Winter 2021
