In honor of World Vegan day...

[Saddle Bronc 124]

No, I wasn't joking. Two of my relatives had dogs (one a "large pom", the other a 90% alsatian-10% cocker) which were raised on cooked-rice/bread/biscuits, cooked-dal and milk.

The dogs lived 15 (pom) and 11 years (alsatian) and appeared healthy enough.

Cats are purely carnivorous (and have predatory instincts to boot), so not even an option.

Dog biscuits? I'm afraid I don't know what is cooked-dal. I'm not being sarcastic, in case you're wondering, I really don't know and would like to learn.

"Appeared healthy" and actually be healthy are two different things. The two dogs you mentioned lived less than average for each breed. I'd say they had some nutritional problems. You see, most of the food you mentioned are carbohydrates, and dogs cannot digest starch.

dal is common for "pulses" (such as chickpeas, lentils, pigeon-peas)--most common protein-food for vegetarians (almost exclusive for vegans).

But you say that the dogs' lifespan mentioned is "less than average for each breed". What is "average" for poms and alsatians (i do know that large dogs have shorter averages)? Because using the "common" ratio of 1 dog-year = 7 human-years, the equivalent ages come to 105 and 77.

No, not dog-biscuit, but similar to arrowroot (the two mentioned wouldn't go NEAR dog-biscuits--admittedly, a bit of a "sweet-tooth").

Edited November 2, 2006 by CherryXS

[JaJo 1]

dal is common for "pulses" (such as chickpeas, lentils, pigeon-peas)--most common protein-food for vegetarians (almost exclusive for vegans).

But you say that the dogs' lifespan mentioned is "less than average for each breed". What is "average" for poms and alsatians (i do know that large dogs have shorter averages)? Because using the "common" ratio of 1 dog-year = 7 human-years, the equivalent ages come to 105 and 77.

No, not dog-biscuit, but similar to arrowroot (the two mentioned wouldn't go NEAR dog-biscuits--admittedly, a bit of a "sweet-tooth").

Thanks

The smaller the breed, the more the animal can live, for poms I'd say 20 years. that 1=7 years is BS. I'll try to find a more accurate table for you. I have to say, though, I don't quite buy those comparisons, remember we are from different species.

I'll have to do a search on arrowroot (another one that I don't know... )

Most pets I know love sweets, and I have nothing agaist giving them some every now and then (as in once per month and in small quantities). But if anyone asks, I never said that

Jane

[Saddle Bronc 124]

dal is common for "pulses" (such as chickpeas, lentils, pigeon-peas)--most common protein-food for vegetarians (almost exclusive for vegans).

But you say that the dogs' lifespan mentioned is "less than average for each breed". What is "average" for poms and alsatians (i do know that large dogs have shorter averages)? Because using the "common" ratio of 1 dog-year = 7 human-years, the equivalent ages come to 105 and 77.

No, not dog-biscuit, but similar to arrowroot (the two mentioned wouldn't go NEAR dog-biscuits--admittedly, a bit of a "sweet-tooth").

Thanks

The smaller the breed, the more the animal can live, for poms I'd say 20 years. that 1=7 years is BS. I'll try to find a more accurate table for you. I have to say, though, I don't quite buy those comparisons, remember we are from different species.

I'll have to do a search on arrowroot (another one that I don't know... )

Most pets I know love sweets, and I have nothing agaist giving them some every now and then (as in once per month and in small quantities). But if anyone asks, I never said that

Jane

Oh, the one I designated "large pom" was about the size of a Sheltie (larger than "regular" pom)--so what would be average for a Sheltie (that might be more accurate measurement than for "regular" pom)?

As for arrowroot biscuits (cookies), these are a common snack/food item in families with small children. Generally, these are slightly (definitely not cloyingly) sweet.

[JaJo 1]

Sorry it took me so long to answer.

If it was a pom, it was a pom - no matter how big it was, it should follow the characteristics of its breed.

Here is a table comparing dog "years" with humans:

dog human dog human

1 15 11 60

2 24 12 64

3 28 13 68

4 32 14 72

5 36 15 76

6 40 16 80

7 44 17 84

8 48 18 88

9 52 19 92

10 56 20 96

But (and a big one): small breeds are considered "all grown up" around their 8th month of life. Giant breeds (like Great Danes) one the other hand only are considered adult after 1 or 1.5 yo. Here I'm considering body development, not the intelectual or emotional ones (oh boy...I guess I just asked for trouble now... )As you can see, it doesn't work quite right.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

True, as some dogs never do seem to develop intellectually; the alsatian mentioned above was said by my London cousin (it was her dad's dog) as "having big heart, but nothing upstairs" (which her sister in FL doesn't agree).

An idea on how to "honour" Vegan Day next year.

Make your meals on that day AS EXCLUSIVELY NON-VEG AS YOU CAN!