Vegan Diets: For Your Dog's Health & the Environment

When it comes to our dogs, doing our best for the planet means more than using compostable poop bags or walking instead of driving our car. Not only is a plant-powered diet super healthy for your dog according to the latest research, but it can actually lower their carbon footprint in a significant way. 

Wait...can dogs really thrive on a vegan diet?

Yes! After evolving alongside humans for thousands of years, dogs are omnivores and can thrive on a complete and balanced plant-based diet. Dogs that eat vegan food are often healthier, experience fewer allergy symptoms, and maintain a better weight than dogs fed traditional meat-based foods.

What are the main benefits of vegan food for dogs?  

Vegan diets for dogs contain allergy-friendly, easily-digestible ingredients and are naturally anti-inflammatory. The majority of pet food brands contain animal by-products and other potential allergens that are not healthy options for your dog. By removing animal products from your dog's meals, can can ensure their diet is healthier and free from these potentially hazardous ingredients. 

So, how does vegan dog food help the environment?

According to a study by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a plant-based lifestyle cuts greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70 percent. And studies show that someone following a plant-based diet uses five times less water than someone with a meat-based diet. If a plant-based diet works these wonders for our planet as humans, the results can seamlessly transfer over to our four-legged companions. By feeding our dogs a meatless diet, we're preserving our planet by using less land, water and energy to product their daily diet. 

Are there studies on vegan diets for dogs? 

Over the last two decades, there have been several population studies analyzing dogs that consume a vegan diet. The most recent study was published in 2023 and found "A nutritionally complete plant-based diet can maximize the health and quality of life for dogs."

Another study completed in 2023 showed, "Domestic dogs maintain positive clinical, nutritional, and hematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year."

Additionally, a recent study was conducted by veterinarian Dr. Andrew Knight in 2022. “Our study is by far the largest study published to date,” said Prof Andrew Knight, at the University of Winchester, UK. “It revealed that the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choices for dogs are nutritionally sound vegan diets.”

Overall, a vegan diet is not only healthy for our dogs, but has immense benefits for this planet we all know and love.