Study Quantifies Environmental Impact of Meat-Based Dog Foods

Have you ever considered the environmental footprint of your dog's food? A 2025 study out of the University of Nottingham compared different types of dog food to understand their impact on land use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use. 

The study, conducted by R. A. Brociek and D. S. Gardner, looked at 31 commercially available dry dog foods, which included plant-based, poultry-based, red meat-based (beef and lamb), and veterinary renal diets. By analyzing various environmental metrics, the researchers found that plant-based diets had the smallest footprint across all measures of environmental impact.

With vegan dog foods growing in popularity among consumers, this study makes a further case for choosing a plant-based diet for your pup. "In 2018, the global canine population was estimated at 471 million," the researchers write. "Feeding these omnivores a meat-based diet, even when accounting for the use of ‘by-products’, generates considerable greenhouse gases." The environmental footprint, or perhaps we should say "pawprint," of companion animals is quite significant.

Read the full study here.

If you're interested in trying a plant-based diet for your dog, you've come to the right place! At Opal Pets, our Perfect Powder supplement and companion recipes (featured in our e-cookbook and free with every purchase) provide complete and balanced plant-based nutrition for your pup. 

Learn more >> Perfect Powder Supplement