So you want your pet to be a vegan?

 

If you're going to put your pet on a vegan diet, there are some things you need to know.

• Some people who are vegan want to put their pets on vegan diets too.
• It's easier for dogs to be vegans than cats.
• Cats only eat meat, so they require strict supplements to sustain their nutritional needs.
• There are companies that make vegan pet food, and you can even make your own.
• But it's a lot of work to make sure your pet is getting what it needs, so make sure it's worth it for you.

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In recent years, there's been an uptick in interest around putting dogs and cats on a vegetarian or vegan diet.But not everyone is in agreement about whether vegan diets are acceptable for cats and dogs, especially since both species have very specific nutritional needs. If you want your pet to go vegan, here's what you need to know.

Vegan diets affect cats and dogs differently.

Cats are strict carnivores. Cats could live on meat only; dogs actually need both.

Because of the differences in diet, it's a lot more challenging for a cat to eat a vegan diet than a dog. 
Dogs may not get all the nutrients that they need. For cats, a vegan diet does not actually have everything that they need to stay healthy. Making your pet go began is just not a good idea.

The ASPCA agrees with this sentiment, and its website states, "It is possible — though challenging — to keep dogs healthy on a plant-based diet, [but] a vegan diet is not appropriate for cats at all." 

This is because cats can develop heart issues if they're not eating enough taurine, which is only found in animal by-products and not in plants, according to the ASPCA.

There are some advocates for vegan pet diets.

PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch told INSIDER in a statement:

"A nutritionally balanced vegan diet can offer dogs and cats health benefits, such as healthier skin and coats, cleaner teeth, better digestion, easier weight management, and better protection against diseases."
There have also been studies that show the benefits of veganism for pets. A 2014 Austrian study of 174 dog owners reported that 38 owners said their pets had healthier and shinier coats after eating vegan food. A blood test of 20 dogs found that their vitals were all normal even on a vegan diet.

Just a FYI.....DO NOT TRUST PETA!!!

You'll need to know your supplements.

Both species need supplements to maintain a vegan diet. Notably, dogs need taurine and L-carnitine and cats need vitamin A, taurine, and arachidonic acid, according to PETA. (PETA is actually right on this fact.) CNN also reported that dogs require higher protein intake than humans. And since cats subsist only on meat, they also require high levels of protein. 

FAILURE TO SUPPLY YOUR PETS WITH ALL THEIR REQUIRED NUTRIENTS CAN LEAD TO FATAL DISEASES! IN TURN YOU CAN BE CHARGED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY IF YOUR PET GETS INADEQUATE NUTRITION!

If you're considering a vegan diet for your pet, it's important to consult your veterinarian and purchase powder supplements or vegan pet food supplements. Also make sure you do extensive research on any and all supplements.

There are several vegan pet food brands on the market.

In addition to supplements, you can cook vegan food for your pets yourself or purchase them from vendors. PETA recommends brands like Amì, F & O Alternative Pet Products, and V-dog, Be sure to check the ingredient list closely to see which nutrients your pet still may need to have a balanced diet.
PETA recommends you add small amounts of the new vegan food to their normal diet and slowly scaling back on the meat until they're eating only vegan foods.

Do your research before trusting anything that PETA says.........

There are better alternatives for your pet than a fully vegan diet.

You do not have to use commercial dog or cat food. You can make do with homemade diets that you can make that are balanced … There are veterinarians that do nutrition that can put together a recipe for you that is nutritionally sound. Always ask advice from your veterinarian before starting your pet on a new diet. 
Contact your vet to ask if they provide that service or if they can recommend someone who does.

Pet owners need to know that healthy eating requires effort and attention to detail to make sure your animal is getting the proper nutrients and isn't developing dietary issues.

Article Credit:  ThisIsInsider

What constitutes as animal cruelty?

what constitutes as animal cruelty?

ASPCA NATIONAL SHELTER OUTREACH

Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty. Examples include overt animal abuse, dog and cock fighting and companion animal neglect where the animal is denied basic necessities of care such as fresh water and food or shelter.

Thinkstock

Many people who witness or hear about cruelty are not aware that legal action can be taken to help stop the problem. Companion animals are primarily covered by state animal cruelty laws, which vary from state to state and county to county. Animal welfare organizations across the country work daily to educate people about the proper care of animals and how to prevent animal cruelty.

Animal cruelty can be divided into two general categories: neglect and intentional cruelty.

Neglect

• Neglect is the failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care.
• Neglect may be due to ignorance on the animal owner’s part and is usually handled by requiring the owner to correct the situation. If the problem is not corrected, the animal may be removed from the neglectful person by law enforcement authorities.

Intentional Cruelty

• Intentional cruelty is often more shocking than neglect and is frequently an indicator of a serious human behavior problem.
• Intentional cruelty is when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury on an animal. (The ASPCA and other organizations with cruelty investigation authority have arrested individuals who have deliberately maimed, tortured or even killed animals.)
• Although many individuals are arrested for intentional cruelty, people who commit even the most heinous crimes against animals are often not prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In states where animal cruelty is considered a misdemeanor, individuals who commit intentional cruelty crimes against animals can receive, at most, one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Often, perpetrators receive no more than probation.
• Someone who is violent towards animals may be violent towards family members or others.

Animal Cruelty Laws (State-to-State)

• 33 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws that make intentional cruelty a felony charge, while the remaining states treat animal cruelty as a misdemeanor.
• Many animal cruelty laws specifically exclude accepted animal husbandry practices involving farm animals, animals used in research, and lawful hunting and trapping of wildlife.
• Many states now require the person convicted of cruelty to undergo psychological evaluation and counseling, in addition to paying a fine or serving a prison sentence.
• An increasing number of states are instituting cross training and reporting programs that involve social service workers who are likely to see cases of animal abuse during the course of their work in domestic violence and child abuse cases.
• A number of states provide civil and criminal immunity to veterinarians who report suspected cases of animal abuse to law enforcement authorities, as veterinarians are likely to be the first to come in contact with an abused animal.
• Enforcement of animal cruelty laws can be carried out by local police or by humane or municipal agencies that are granted power from the state or local government.

Advice from the ASPCA

• If you witness or hear about animal cruelty taking place, report it to your local humane organization or call your local police.
• Learn about animal-friendly legislation pending in your state – visit the ASPCA’s online Advocacy Center.
• Become a member of the ASPCA Legislative Action Team and take an active part in passing legislation. E-mail all inquiries to government@aspca.org or call the Government Affairs & Public Policy department at 212-876-7700 ext. 4550.
• Teaching future generations to respect animal life will make our society more humane. Make sure schools in your town include humane education as part of their curriculum. E-mail the ASPCA at education@aspca.org for classroom resources.
• If you own a pet, be responsible and provide him with annual veterinary check-ups and preventative medical care; spay or neuter your cat or dog to reduce pet overpopulation and urge your friends to do the same.
• Support your local animal rescue organization or shelter with donations of money, food or supplies. Volunteering your time or fostering a shelter animal is a good way to make a difference. Fostering helps socialize abused or frightened animals before they are adopted.

Courtesy of
ASPCA
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128-6804
(212) 876-7700
www.aspca.org

Contact: Media Relations (212) 876-7700 ext. 4655

No Protection For The Innocent

THE STORY BEHIND THIS VIDEO IS THAT THE LAGRANGE MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCUSED THIS FEMALE AMERICAN BULLDOG NAMED CAMMI OF BEING VICIOUS AND THAT IS THE REASON THEY SHOT HER AND AS YOU CAN SEE SHE WASN'T VICIOUS AT ALL SO IF ANY ASPCA MEMBERS SEE OR JUST ANY AMERICAN DOG LOVER PLEASE HELP FIGHT THIS AND MAKE A STAND. 
Apparently this happened a while back in 2010 (just discovered on Facebook) however it is videos and images like this that make me lose faith  in humanity. Completely unnecessary death of a so called "vicious" dog. Things like this just make me so angry. Words can't describe how this makes me feel. You can't even count on a authority like your local police to protect the innocent anymore..........   If you see a lose animal contact animal control or take to a rescue/shelter.  Do not contact police, especially if they are not trained to handle and deal with scared animals!