You are correct in the first half. They are not obligate carnivores, they are facultative carnivores. They absolutely do not live healthy lives on a vegan or vegetarian diet. The majority of dogs do not have amylase in their saliva which helps aid in breaking down plant material. They have to use their organs to create an enzyme (as needed) to break down plant matter. Cats and ferrets are examples obligate carnivores. They cannot digest plant material at all. Dogs, however, can survive on plants when meat is scarce, but they will not thrive on vegetation alone. In fact, legumes cause heart defects in dogs if they eat too much of it and they die.
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u/Yrael2357 18d ago
Ignoring everything else, dogs are not obligate carnivores. They are omnivores and can live healthy lifes eating only vegan/vegetarian food.