Martin Rütter speaks plain language: That's what he thinks of vegan nutrition

Created: 04/30/2022, 09:00

By: Sandra Barbara Furtner

Dog professional Martin Rütter has always made fun of vegan dog nutrition very loudly and vehemently.

But now he changes his mind.

Bonn – Vegetarian, but also vegan nutrition for dogs is becoming more and more important.

Initially, this form of nutrition was ridiculed by most dog owners and dismissed as complete nonsense.

Others, even today, are still firmly against it and will immediately go on the barricades if they hear the word "plant-based".

After all, a dog is an "omnivore" - this means that it is also able to digest plant-based food, but is still mainly fed on meat.

But many an owner is now starting to ponder and think about it.

Especially because more and more dogs are suffering from allergies - often caused by animal proteins.

An alternative awakens hope.

Martin Rütter speaks plain language: That's what he thinks of vegan nutrition

So does dog professional Martin Rütter.

In his podcast "Tierisch Human", which he runs together with the science reporter Katharina Adick, he takes up this highly topical topic in "Episode 58".

The background to this was a recently published study that dealt with the topic of "vegan dog nutrition".

The effects of the different types of feed such as "conventional feed", "raw meat feeding" and "vegan nutrition" were examined.

A “vegetarian diet” was not taken into account.

The surprising result: purely plant-based food is said to be the healthiest for our four-legged friends.

In his podcast "Tierisch Human" Martin Rütter comments on the topic of vegan nutrition for dogs.

© Jörg Carstensen/dpa

Martin Rütter speaks plain language: "A purely meat-free diet was completely stupid for me"

Now the dog professional takes a very clear position and says: “This is an important topic.

I made fun of vegan diets for dogs very loudly and very vehemently.

And this also in a wide variety of television programs.” The thought of feeding a carnivore or omnivore purely meat-free had previously been “completely stupid” for him.

But Martin Rütter admits that although he has a "big snout", he is also a person who certainly questions things.

He also repeatedly points out grievances that show, for example, the merciless business with puppies.

Martin Rütter speaks plainly: "I cannot put my happiness and that of my animals above the lives of others"

And so he is currently dealing with dog food that is based on insects.

This is where the moral aspect comes into play: for those who deal with the topic of "climate" or "factory farming", a purely plant-based diet makes perfect sense.

“By owning a dog myself, I also support factory farming.

As a rule, this conventional feed comes from factory farming and this promotes suffering.

But he also points out that a food based on plants or insects should be scientifically designed to ensure that the dog gets all the nutrients it needs.

And the fun and joy of eating must not be neglected.

Because this also contributes significantly to the well-being of the dog.

So it would be of no use at all if the dog sat in front of a dry mass that crumbled away.

"A dog must also be allowed to loop".