Can dogs eat vegan food?

Yes

It sounds mad doesn’t it, but thanks to advances – firstly that key canine requirements have been identified and understood, and secondly that we have the food technology ability to supplement individual nutrients into a recipe, for example, specific amino acids –  it is now possible to make nutritionally complete plant-based dog food.

Many people have concerns about whether dogs can actually thrive on a vegan diet, but the truth is that dogs are omnivores and can survive on a variety of diets. With the right balance of nutrients, dogs can live long, healthy lives on a vegan diet. In fact, there have been many cases of dogs living well into their teens and even twenties on a vegan diet. It’s important to remember that every dog is different, so it’s important to work with your veterinarian to find the best diet for your dog.

As a pet owner, you want nothing but the best for your furry best friend. And when it comes to their diet, you may be considering all of your options, including plant-based options. Vegan dog food is becoming more and more popular among pet owners, and for good reason. There are many benefits to feeding your dog a vegan diet, and we’re here to share some of them with you.

This is great for 3 massive reasons

Vegan dog food doesn’t contain any animal ingredients (hurray for the farm animals!)

Vegan dog food doesn’t contain any of the highly processed animal by-products that the conventional pet food industry is built on (hurray for our dogs!)

Vegan dog food is around 300% more sustainable than conventional dog food (hurray for the environment!)

Can dogs really be vegan?

Yes they can. A vegan recipe for dogs must be formulated to make sure all the nutrients we know dogs need are available – and then the dog food company should carry out checks and audits regularly to make sure that the nutrients are all present as they are expected to be.

First and foremost, a well-formulated vegan dog food can provide all the necessary nutrients for your dog’s health. Studies have shown that dogs fed a balanced vegan diet have a healthier coat, improved digestion, and more energy. This is because vegan dog food is often made with a variety of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, which can provide a balanced and nutritious diet for your pup. Additionally, vegan dog food is often fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, iron and zinc, which are vital for your dog’s overall well-being. A study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that dogs on a vegetarian diet had fewer incidences of food allergies than those on a meat-based diet (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3511555/)

Noochy Poochy is fully balanced, carefully formulated and checked by animal nutritionists and vets to ensure that your dog is getting all the nutrients they need. In fact, it took a blend of 22 balanced, natural ingredients to ensure Noochy Poochy Adult met our standards in every way.

Another benefit of vegan dog food is that it is free from animal-derived ingredients, which can be beneficial for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. Plant-based diets are also free from hormones and antibiotics, which are commonly found in meat-based dog foods. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that dogs on a vegetarian diet had fewer incidences of food allergies than those on a meat-based diet. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3511555/) If your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy or sensitivity, switching to a vegan diet may be the best option for them.

Going vegan for your dog’s diet can also be beneficial for the environment. Animal agriculture is a leading cause of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, and switching to a vegan diet can help reduce your pet’s carbon footprint. According to a study by the Worldwatch Institute, the meat and dairy industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all transportation combined (https://www.worldwatch.org/node/6294). By switching to a vegan diet, you can not only help your dog, but also the planet.

 

In a nutshell 

Here are the four recommendations we make about vegan dog food  – in order to ensure your dog is getting their fully complete set of nutrients. We believe there’s no point doing great by farm animals and the planet unless we are doing great by our dogs too.

All of our complete vegan diets are formulated to abide by The ‘PlantLabs Complete’ Promise

A fully nutritionally complete diet according to FEDIAF

As a dog food produced in the UK, Noochy Poochy voluntarily complies with nutritional guidelines set out by the European trade body called FEDIAF in order to call ourselves ‘complete’. The FEDIAF guidelines cover protein, specific amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins & minerals for different canine life stages and energy requirements. 

The amino acids methionine, carnitine and taurine 

In order to be certain that these 3 amino acids are not lacking, we highly recommend that as well as meeting all the FEDIAF guidelines, these 3 are supplemented. Most vegan dog foods do supplement these, but not all.

The ingredients list contains only those that you would be happy reading on something you would pick up for yourself 

Pets have long been fed by-products (animal and plant) by the conventional pet industry. We think they should be fed with ingredients we recognise and would like find in a meal or protein shake we might pick up for ourselves.

There are no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives

No prizes here for why, we all want natural food – and we want the same for our dogs.

Is plant-based dog food good for dogs? 

A recent study has indicated that dogs on nutritionally complete vegan diets may be more healthy than dogs eating conventional dog food. Considering the source and processing of much of the meat used in conventional pet food, we think it likely that as more research is done, more evidence will come out and support nutritionally complete vegan feeding  as a healthier alternative to conventional pet food feeding. 

Don’t dogs need meat?

One of the biggest concerns with feeding your beloved dog a plant-based is whether it can provide enough protein for them. Rest assured, Noochy Poochy vegan dog food contains a whopping 28% protein content. There are plenty of plant-based sources of protein that are included in our food soya beans, lentils and peas to name a few.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition found that dogs fed a vegetarian diet had higher protein efficiency ratios than those fed a meat-based diet (Reference: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2009.00976.x). This means that the protein in a vegan diet is more easily utilised by the body, making it a highly effective source of protein for your dog.

The 3 amino acids we supplement would either be low or absent in a vegan diet, so all plant-based dog food really should add these in to make sure that the dogs are getting everything they need and are not at risk of any deficiencies. 

Your dog’s nutrition remains the focus and the priority of our formulations 

– as well as being sustainable and ethical.

 

As we explained in our earlier blog, our domestic dogs – our labradoodles, poodles and even huskies and malamutes of today…. are not wolves. Not only are they genetically different (splitting off on a different lineage up to 40,000 years ago), dogs have actually evolved over the last 6,000 years to digest starches more efficiently – a direct result of wandering round after us after the human farming revolution started and adapting to a more plant-based diet as we humans started to harvest crops.

Amazing to think that we have been close for so long, and that this closeness has actually resulted in physiologic changes. Dogs have adapted to living close with us and evolved to gain more from our association than they did at the beginning of domestication.

It’s important to note that not all vegan dog food is created equal. It’s crucial to do your research and choose a reputable brand that uses high-quality ingredients and has been formulated to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Consult with your veterinarian to make sure it’s the right choice for your dog and ensure they are getting all the necessary nutrients. A veterinarian can also help you to make a transition slowly and check if your dog is responding well to the new diet.

In conclusion, a vegan diet can be a healthy and sustainable option for your furry friend. With the right research, consultation and implementation of a well-balanced diet you can give your dog the best possible diet while also making a positive impact on the planet. At the end of the day, your dog will be happy and healthy, and that’s all that matters. So, if you’re considering switching your dog to a vegan diet, choose Noochy Poochy vegan dog food. It’s a great option for both your pet and the planet.