My dog is a vegan - and it's the best thing he did, says Pip Tomson

I feel terrible now. For so long convinced his aversion was due to being a fussy so and so. Like his older brother and fellow Tibetan Terrier BG (Bloody Gorgeous) who frequently turned his nose up at the bowl before him. More interested in the treat that was to follow.

So that was the conclusion I leapt to with Billy. Bit by bit he ate less and less. Sometimes nothing at all. But he would readily demolish a dog biscuit or put his snout in your bag if he got the slightest whiff of a sandwich.

Coupled with this, his barking increased. Tibetan Terriers are full of character which also translates to stubborn and willful. So he’d bark on and on giving the impression he was hungry but still wouldn’t touch the food. It got so bad that we resorted to putting him in the car in the evening (a safe space which he adores) just for a little respite.

My Mum - his Nanna - had more patience than me. She tempted him with anything and everything. Scrambled egg? Nope. Fresh chicken? No. A sprinkling of cheese? Not on your nelly.

Something was seriously off. So after a round of bloods which showed nothing untoward, Billy was referred to a veterinary surgeon, specialising in internal medicine and clinical nutrition. He underwent various scans while we prepared ourselves for the worst. A cancerous lump had already been removed two years ago. I'm aware that every year I have with him is precious.

But after thousands of pounds worth of scans (thank god for pet insurance), tests and a feeding tube to get some nourishment into him, the diagnosis was inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An extremely painful condition which causes inflammation in any part of the digestive tract such as the stomach and intestines. Some breeds of dog are genetically predisposed to it. Or it can be triggered by a parasite or food intolerance. IBD is generally thought to be caused by an over-activity of the body’s immune system to ‘foreign’ proteins such as food which results in inflammation. Symptoms can include weight loss, vomiting and - in Billy’s case - a massively decreased appetite and loose stools.

The diagnosis was a relief. At least this was manageable. Or so I thought. The specialist informed me that Billy could no longer eat regular dog food, meat, fish or dairy and needed to embark on a boring and bland diet. In other words, go vegan. Now I’m not lashing out at vegans. I have total respect for the choice they’ve made. But the thought of turning my dog vegan was disconcerting. Billy is in the twilight years of his life. He should be able to eat pretty much what he wants, within reason. Instead he’s faced with bland kibble and a raw carrot for dessert. While my other two canines wolf down a meat or fish-based dinner with a chicken protein bite for afters.

“Think of it as tough love,” I was advised. “You need to do this otherwise he’ll be in pain all over again. So just be strong and don’t let him break you.”

This is easier said than done. As other dog parents will know, those pleading eyes can break you and Billy had perfected it for years. He’s also got a great gob on him when he wants something so the challenge seemed enormous.

I also feared that he might stop eating altogether – so unpalatable was his new diet - but this concern was allayed when I read that dogs can only go for several days without food. Cats longer. He’d eventually capitulate.

The first time he ate his special hydrolysed protein food was a mammoth victory. I’d felt like I’d beaten Sir Andy Murray at tennis. For the first time in months, Billy was satisfied because he had a full tummy. No more barking or restless behaviour. Some days were hit and miss but at least I knew we were on the right road especially when his digestion began improving.

I don’t want to get too graphic but his poos were quality. Easy for him to dispense and easy for me to collect. Which made a change. I was so elated about this that I sent photos to my family. And regaled friends with the astonishing results. So much so that they’re no longer my friends.

Six months down the line and Billy’s health is completely transformed. He’s pain-free, gobbles up his vegan feast and demolishes his raw carrot afterwards. It’s a revelation.

So am I tempted to put my other two dogs on a vegan diet? Well this gets complicated. Because my other two dogs were saved from the dog meat trade in South Korea. Destined for the human dinner plate. So technically I should because otherwise I'm a hypocrite right?

But I also want them to have a nutritionally balanced diet and vegan dog food remains controversial. Billy is under the watchful eye of his specialist so there's a difference. So far I've compromised: reducing their meat treats and frequently switching them for carrots. One of them even enjoys the odd strawberry and doesn't refuse a cheeky bit of banana. We're heading in the right direction.

For now though, my main focus is Billy. He'll be 15 in December. A bit deaf and with cataracts in both eyes but everyone remarks that he looks 10 years younger.

My dog going vegan has transformed him. I might try it.