Originally posted by wolfsoul
Yes, but people aren't "made" to eat the considerable amount of meat that a dog does. Some people eat only a small portion of meat every few days, and are healthy. But a dog's diet needs to have a large portion of meat everyday that is largest in proportion to what other parts the meal consists of.
In my opinion a dog's dietary needs are not defined by specific foodstuffs (i.e. animal products) but by sufficient amounts and proportions of a variety of nutrients. Meat protein and vegetable protein can both be very digestible and ultimately provide the same nutrients. However, in some dogs, there can be allergies or intolerances to certain ingredients, for example soy. If a dog has a lot of food allergies that can restrict the vegetable proteins that may be fed to a particular dog. In this case this dog cannot then thrive on a vegetarian diet because it has so few vegetarian sources for necessary nutrients. I hope that makes sense.

I realize that dogs have a higher protein requirement than humans. I am not aware of any necessary nutrient that is present in meat protein yet absent in vegetable protein. Amino acids are present in both types, of course.

I made a post a while back about “breed specific dog food.” It is the art of feeding using foodstuffs that were most likely in that specific breed’s natural environment. But I am quite wary of this word “natural.” The environment that dog’s live in today are far from their “natural environment” and I think we can agree that spaying and neutering, keeping dogs indoors and providing regular veterinary care are all positive things and an improvement on their past in the “wild.” This is why I am not completely disregarding the possibility that a change to a vegan diet would be another progressive step in creating a better environment for our furry friends. While a vegan diet is obviously kinder to the species which are killed for meat, I think it also could have very direct health benefits for the dogs eating it. A vegan diet reduces the risks of cancer, strokes and heart attacks in humans and I don’t see why that would not be the same for dogs also.

Interesting fact...
Some of you may be aware that the Chinese Chow Chow was bred originally as a food source for people in China. I have read, now in more than one source, that Chow Chow’s were fed grains to result in more tender and fatty meat. (Yuck! I know. ) A purely grain diet is unlikely to be ideal or totally balanced so I am by no means endorsing this. However, it is very interesting to note that the Chow Chow has significantly flatter teeth and a different jaw structure when compared to other originally more carnivorous breeds.

I think whatever opinions are expressed here are just that, opinions. Some of us may have done extensive reading on this subject but I think it is safe to say that none of us are experts on this topic---- myself included!